The West Side is also home to Harriet Island.  Harriet Island, so named after the first school teacher, Harriet E. Bishop, was first developed at the turn of the century.  The city's health officer, Dr. Justus Ohage, purchased it, in order to develop a public recreation area.  He envisioned the area as a place to escape the troubles of the city.  The island was characterized by large, open, green spaces. The park held refreshment pavilions, outdoor picnic grounds, public baths, playgrounds, tennis courts, and even a zoo.  Everything was free to the public, including a day nursery for mothers to leave their children.

Harriet Island at the turn of the century drew nearly a million visitors annually to swim, play, enjoy a zoo, and other family-oriented facilities.

In 1900, Dr. Ohage donated the island to the city with the stipulation that it comes under the jurisdiction of the city health department.  He wanted to ensure that the island would stay a peaceful, family-oriented environment, which city residents could enjoy.  Nearly 25,000 visitors a day crowded their way onto the island, and between 1900 and 1906, there were nearly six million visitors to the island. Despite the city's hard work, the island encountered many problems due to the flooding that occurred each year.  The floods proved too dangerous to the animals in the zoo, and the animals were finally moved to Como Park. 

The popularity of Harriet Island began to deteriorate around World War I as pollution in the river began to take its toll.  The public bathing area was closed.  Pollution along the river had discouraged many to visit the area, and even boaters began to avoid the river.  However, in 1939, with the opening of the Pig's Eye sewage treatment plant, the pollution problems started to disappear.  This revitalized the Harriet Island community.  The channel between the West Bank and Harriet Island was filled in during the 1930's in order to provide more space, and the construction of new buildings on the island began.  Harriet Island had been given a second chance.   

The West Side's sandstone bluffs are also home to numerous manmade caves which historically have been used for many purposes.  Some caves expanded into multichambered caverns, which could extend as far back as several city blocks.  Breweries, for instance, used these areas in order to age beer; many also grew mushrooms and aged cheese in this perfect climate-controlled environment.  The Wabasha Street Caves hosted a nightclub and dance hall that once allegedly was frequented by Al Capone and his gangster pals during Prohibition Days.

The Future of the West Side There are many organizations active within the community.  Through different organizations such as the Riverview Economic Development Association (REDA), the Neighborhood Development Alliance (NeDA), and the West Side Citizens Organization (WSCO), residents are working to revitalize their environment. next

The Wabasha Street Caves still swing.