by L.S. Watts

Created on: September 16, 2009

With lush green grass, winding walking trails, and several species of water birds and fish, Big Spring International Park is considered to be the heart of Huntsville, Alabama. People flock to this city park for time to spend with family, hang out with friends, or just looking for some peace and quiet. However, did you know that Big Spring International Park is rich in history as well as being a local hotspot?

In 1805, John Hunt found an underground spring and decided to build his cabin next to it. He named this underground water source Big Spring. John Hunt was Huntsville's first resident and founder but as other pioneers settled in the area, they too settled around Big Spring. In fact, the town is named Huntsville in honor of John Hunt. The people of Huntsville continued to use this underground spring as their main water source throughout the 1800s and for the first half of the 1900s.

In the 1900s, Big Spring Park, as it is commonly known, became home to several gifts given to Huntsville by various countries and to honor local citizens. It has expanded over the years to be not only a place of relaxation but a place to learn more about Huntsville's history and significance to countries abroad as well as the importance to this city's residents.

The Little Lion

The little lion was a gift to the park from J. F. Hummel in 1900. This little white lion is found on the east side of the park close to the small pond and rock wall. He dedicated this little lion with a plaque that says, "as long as children play in the park" to all the children that come to Big Spring International Park. This little lion was restored in 1995 to repair the damage of time.

Norwegian Light Beacon and Fog Bell

These are just two of the several landmarks that stand out in Big Spring Park. Norway presented Huntsville with a replica of the light beacon they use on the west coast of Norway in the town of Langbakneset from 1903 to 1966. The light beacons of that era were considered oil light beacons. Now Norway uses light beacons that are ran with electricity or acetylene gas. They also donated a fog bell that was operational in the town of Aksdalesnes near Stavanger. Both of these icons were donated to Huntsville in 1973 and placed in the main section of the park next to the Red Japanese Bridge.

The Red Japanese Bridge

In 1987, a retired general of the Japanese self-defense forces by the name of Mikio Kimata donated a red, Japanese style bridge to the park. It was to recognize the hospitality

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