CHAPTER 10
The Formosa Palace Gardens
In 1901, in a
futile attempt to sink an oil well, drillers went 949 ft. and were rewarded, not with oil, but
with a strong, overflowing artesian well, rising about 20 ft. upward from the ground.
This well has kept flowing in this manner until the present day.
The large
two-and-one half storey house on this property was a
hotel for some years,
owned by Mike Graf. At one time it housed a medical doctor — Dr. Kirby. In 1916, Philip Weiler purchased the property but unfortunately, died of influenza
during the 1918 epidemic. His father Christian Weiler
then took over the flowing well property.
In a few short
years Chris Weiler turned the rocky waste around the
flowing well into a beautiful park, where every variety of flower suitable to our climate could be found, as
well as many beautiful trees and shrubs, small zoological gardens, fruit
gardens, grape vines, and picnic grounds with boating and bathing. He named the
park "Palace Gardens". It was visited by hundreds of people each year and
was a favourite spot for picnics and family outings. Mr. Weiler personally conducted many people through his gardens, telling
amusing stories about his many flowers and trees.
Chris Weiler was a very community-minded man, was a councillor instrumental in building sidewalks in the
village, and planted maple trees along the streets, many of which remain to
this day.
Later owners who kept up the
park's tradition were Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Voisin, Mr.
and Mrs. Philip Obermeyer. When Obermeyers retired, they sold the property to Mr. and
Mrs. Harry Auckland. It is now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Louis Paleczny
The Formosa Flowing Well Palace Gardens during the flood, July 1, 1917