In 1883 Hans Berthusen purchased 160 acres three miles south of the Canadian border. He met his future wife, Lida, in the area when she was 8 years old. They eventually married and bought another 80 acres. For the love of the cedar trees, they left 20 acres of virgin forest. They had no children of their own but adopted a baby girl. In their latter years, they developed playgrounds on the land and on their death, three months apart, they left it to the city as a park. A barn and privy on the property have been registered as National Historic Places. There are kitchens and picnic areas for the public to use at Berthusen Park.

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