Cox Hall Park and Gardens in Carmel

Cox Hall Park and Gardens in Carmel
Today we will visit Cox Hall Park and Gardens in Carmel, Indiana.

From the Book:
Visiting Indiana’s Public and Botanical Gardens

Transcript:

Greetings, today we will visit Cox Hall Park and Gardens in Carmel, Indiana.

Cox Hall Park and Gardens in Carmel
Coxhall Gardens is a 125 acre park that includes a children’s garden, a bike trail, music pavilion, prairie garden and many other features. The Cox Hall Gardens Centerpiece showcases twin 90-feet bell towers, a recreation lake, fountains, gazebo and tiered lawn seating. The Garden was developed by Jesse H. Cox and his wife Beulah. The garden’s dedication ceremony took place on September 9, 2006.
Jesse H Cox (March 18, 1918 – May 12, 2008)
The son of James Dow Cox and Zola Magruder Cox, Jesse was native to Monticello, San Juan County, Utah. The family moved to Indiana and he attended Washington High School. While there he met Beulah Rose Chanley, whom he would later marry. He attended Indiana University, working at various jobs to pay his tuition. He graduated in 1942, and became involved in the textile industry. He established J. H. Cox Manufacturing Company sometime around 1946, which owned the Aero Drapery Company. He was president of this company from 1946 until 1982. He would own 6 drapery plants in the Midwest. He also purchased property in Florida and established a citrus farm. His business activities made him quite wealthy. He donated the funds to construct the The Cox Pavilion at IU and established the Jesse and Beulah Chanley Cox Scholarship Fund at IU. This scholarship fund provides funds for students that work their way through college. He and Beulah also donated $70 million dollars to the University. He developed Cox Hall Park and Gardens in Carmel, Indiana. He purchased this property in 1961 from the Williams family, whose ancestor John Williams had purchased in 1855. The couple built a gray stone house on the property and moved in in 1962. In the basement of this house they had a mural depicting the Governors Mansion in Williamsburg, Virginia. They would use his mural as the model for a house they built in 1974 just west of the gray stone house. They donated the property to the Hamilton County Parks and Recreation Department. After his death he was interred at Zionsville Cemetery, Zionsville, Boone County, Indiana. Jesse H. and Beulah Chanley Cox Arboretum is named after the couple.
In addition to the amenities listed above the grounds also include a museum, conservatory, children’s garden, and a greenhouse. Visitors will also find a statue of Jesse and Beulah, Campbell Crossing, restroom facility, and trails.
Other amenities include:
Centerpiece
Bike Trail
Coxhall Gardens Pond
Green space
Music Pavilion
Paved Trail
Playground
Prairie
Restrooms
Trails
The Bell Towers
The gardens have two bell towers, the East Bell Tower and the West Bell Tower. The 90 feet tall bell towers are located near the East and West entrances to the park. The bell towers chime at regular intervals with a pleasant, melodious sound.
Centerpiece of the Park
Visitors can access the Centerpieces of the park from the paved trail that winds all through the park across Campbell Crossing. An elegant sculpture resides in the middle of the Centerpiece, which also provides a stunning vista of the two arms of Coxhall Gardens Pond.
Coxhall Gardens Pond
The pond is approximately 5 acres in size. Anglers can expect to catch largemouth and small mouth bass as well as bluegill.
Cripe Pavilion
The Cripe Pavilion is located at the foot of the Centerpiece. During the summer months free music concerts take place in the pavilion.
Cox Mansion
Cox Hall affords an excellent venue for small weddings, business events or reunions.
Paved Trail
This wide, handicap accessible trail connects all of the park’s amenities and is suitable for biking or hiking.
Wetlands and Prairie
A small wetlands and prairie garden replicates what much of the landscape looked like prior to settlement. The wetlands provides habitat for fish, marine animals and waterfowl.
Children’s Garden
Children can explore the miniature village featured in the children’s garden or play on the nearby playground. Tiny buildings simulate a small town and feature a wellness center, toy store, grocery store and other places.

Cox Hall Gardens
37 E. Main St.
Carmel, IN 46032
317-848-3181

Listeners can find this, as well as many other botanical and public gardens in my book, Visiting Indiana’s Public and Botanical Gardens. The book features many gardens and arboretums across the Hoosier State. You can find the book on my website, http://www.mossyfeetbooks.com. It is available in a number of formats including ebook, softbound and audio book on Amazon as well as many other online book retailers. You may also purchase the book direct from me, the author, on the website. The family also appears in my book, A History of Ohio County, Indiana, also available on the web site. I am also including it in a book I am currently working on which will be entitled Interesting Hoosiers in History, due to be published sometime this year.
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