Arrigo Park, known as Vernon Park for much of its history, dates to 1857, when real estate developer Henry D. Gilpin donated the property to the City of Chicago. The West Park Commission transferred Vernon Park to the newly-created Chicago Park District in 1934. Forty years later, the greenspace was officially renamed Arrigo Park in honor of Victor Arrigo (1908-1973). A vocal advocate for the Italian-American community, Arrigo served as Illinois State Representative for Chicago's near southwest side from 1966 to 1973. Arrigo was instrumental in bringing sculptor Moses Ezekiel's statue of Christopher Columbus to the park in 1966.