In 1867, the City of Columbus purchased 23 acres of land, then known as Stewart's Grove, for $15,000 and named it City Park. In 1891, the German-American community unveiled the statue of German poet Friedrich von Schiller that still stands in the park today. The 25-foot tall, 2,640-pound statue was cast in Munich, Germany and given as a gift to the City of Columbus.

In 1905, the park's name was changed to Schiller Park. Anti-German sentiment during World War I prompted the name to be changed to Washington Park; but in 1930 it was changed back to Schiller Park.

Beginning in 1988, a cooperative fundraising and planning effort resulted in the restoration of the park to its former beauty. Today, as it did more than 100 years ago, Schiller Park serves as a centerpiece of community life for continuing generations of local residents and visitors.