But the county never finally acquired the site, which Whitesell ultimately bought for $12.5 million.
The county acquired further land adjoining the site at a cost of $4,650.
The county acquired most of the land for the park by 1924.
"If the county acquires the house, it would be one of their flagship properties."
He added that the county is acquiring another duck farm through a tax default.
A county with more than two million residents can acquire a status equal to a special municipality.
But that idea was dropped when the county acquired the land to build its sixth public course.
The county acquired five lots in May 1890 for a new building.
Little has been done to develop the park since the county acquired it in 1949.
In 1975, the county acquired what is now the park site from the Cloud family.