Widely represented in Harrington’s collection are views, programs, a contract and historical articles of Reeds Lake, including Ramona Park, a major recreational area on the east side of Grand Rapids, later East Grand Rapids. Drawing visitors from around the Midwest and once accessible from the city by trolley car, picnicking began in the lake area as early as 1868. Ramona Park emerged around 1897 as one of the finest amusement parks in the country. The Ramona Theater was constructed in 1897 and rebuilt in 1912. In the 1930s and 1940s the Theater attracted popular acts such as the Marx Brothers, Jimmie Durante and Edgar Bergen. By 1955 the amusement park was closed and the SS. Ramona ferry boat made its last cruise. A residential area developed around the lake which led to the demise of the theater, torn down in 1949, and limited the sharing of the lake as a recreational center.

An avid collector of local history memorabilia, Gordon Harrington died in Feb. 1996, survived by his wife. The Grand Rapids city directories list a Gordon Harrington living by himself on Madison Ave. in 1940. By 1943/44 Gordon and Mary Harrington are given at 1207 Phillips Ave., with Gordon employed as an inspector for Grand Rapids Industries and later Metal Craft Co. Later the Harrington’s lived at 1215 Gladstone Dr., where they remained until his death.

Various city directories list Harrington as an editor, office worker, camera man and manager for Geo. W. Welch Co., from 1955 to 1975. From October 1968 to November 1975, Welch published The Interpreter, an alternative newspaper. Harrington’s column in 1973-1975 Interpreter issues, were called “‘Those ‘Good Old Days,’ and often featured images or old advertisements from Grand Rapids Public Library holdings. After The Interpreter folded, Harrington is recorded in the directories as working as manager for Slot Publishing in 1976, a salesman for Smith Enterprises in 1978/1979 and a clerk for the Grand Rapids Press from 1980-1983. He retired in 1984.