Central Park in Sterling is a picturesque park that was first established as a recreational space in the 1880s and later officially designated a city park with the formation of the Sterling Park District in 1923. The park features a beautiful canopy of trees, paved trails, and statues, including the Soldier's Monument. The monument was erected on July 4, 1890, due to the efforts of Civil War Veteran Moses Dillon, who formed the Soldiers' Monument Association. The association hired McGee Marble & Granite Co. of Chicago to complete the monument in honor of the 217 Civil War veterans from Whiteside County. Since its establishment, the park has also hosted many patriotic celebrations, artistic events, and city gatherings. A major annual event was the Sterling Chautauqua. Between 1870 and 1930, the Chautauqua was a popular national trend that included a series of social, arts, and cultural events - often referred to as "Community Vacations." Since 1937, the events have been housed in the Grandon Civic Center and Bandshell, which serves as a music pavilion. Funding for the project was provided by Sterling publisher D. W. Grandon. He hired architect Gilbert A. Johnson and contractor John H. Powers to erect the bandshell and surrounding landscape features.