Eagle River
Riverview Park Bandshell
The Eagle River Review, 1936
Riverside Park was created by the federal government during the Great Depression, 1929-1939.
The following information was gleaned from the WI State Historical Society information regarding its background:
During the Depression, President Roosevelt established the Works Progress Administration (WPA) which operated as an independent federal agency. WI was placed in WPA region 7 and district offices served several counties. WPA projects originated with a sponsor, and municipalities were were the majority of them, in this case the Village of Eagle River. By 1940 WPA workers in WI improved 396 parks which included 10 bandshells. The Riverside Park bandshell is one of these and the park served local residents and helped to attract tourists to the area which was an increasing economic resource to the area.
Taken from the Eagle River Review: In 1936, the Village of Eagle River was awarded federal $13,844 WPA funds for the Memorial Park creation. Of it, $7,460 was for labor, $1,636 was for materials (which included $1,200 for shrubbery), and $1,436 was for equipment. In addition the Federal government paid for four tons of fertilizer and 600 pounds of lawn seed. The Village agreed to furnish a truck and driver, and a gas dragline to help clean the river, a foreman, and materials such as gravel, sand, lime and cement. The Federal government furnished one truck, a driver and tractor.
The Park, triangularly shaped, sits on the hillside south of Eagle River. Construction started in 1936 and the bandshell was completed in May of 1937 with a picnic shelter and arch done by 1938. The structures are located along the edges of the Park in line with the Rustic Style (pioneer subtype). This was typical for WPA projects in both the landscaping and structures. Designs were simple, rough in nature, used native materials, and had limited decorative detail. You can see that reflected with the use of fieldstone/cobblestone on the bandshell buttresses and around its base, the arch, and the half-wall around the picnic shelter. The arch was subsequently relocated from its original location and is now located by a path leading to the river.
In 2019 the bandshell received a facelift, thanks to the Eagle River Main Street Program, and it has been used on several occasions during special events.
At Eagle River's Christmas Kick Off, carolers and DJ’s along with musicians use it.
Summer 2023 offers several musical events.
At Eagle River's Christmas Kick Off, carolers and DJ’s along with musicians use it.
Summer 2023 offers several musical events.
OTHER PARK FEATURES
8/14/2020; the shelter, built at the same period, uses the same fieldstone as the bandshell
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8/14/2020; An arch leading to a path along the Eagle River, built at the same period, uses the same fieldstone as the bandshell.
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Location |