Elkhorn
Sunset Park Bandshell
2/2/2018
The 1914 concrete bandstand; Courtesy of Walworth County Historical Society
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The Sunset Park Bandshell, located in Sunset Park, is on the National Register of Historic Places. It was originally built in 1926 and located at the City Park. The local Kiwanis supported this in order to house the Holton Co. Community Bands at a cost of $5,000. It was designed by G. Pheby of Phoenix, AZ, and was considered the finest in the Midwest because of its remarkable acoustical qualities. Its method of construction - incorporating thousands of 1-inch by 1-inch wooden slats - is one of only two of its kind known to be in existence in the US (the other one was in Mt. Morris, IL). It is said that the sound of even the weakest instruments is projected hundreds of feet, so the audience hears the full band or chorus. On August 11, 1926, with an audience of 4,000, Prof. Charles Jahr gave the dedication address. This new bandshell replaced a 1914 concrete bandstand, which had replaced the first bandstand, an 1875-76 six-sided wooden bandstand structure. In 1962, the bandshell was moved to Sunset Park in order to make room at its original site for the new Walworth County Courthouse. In 1995, the City Council set aside $40,000 for its restoration. All in all, the cost was $100,000. At that time, there was talk of moving the bandshell back to its original location at Courthouse Park. In the end, the bandshell remained in Sunset Park. In the spring of 2021, the City is pondering the management of the bandshell for the next five years through a survey. It has been determined that the bandshell needs renovation. Efforts are underway to complete this by the 100-year anniversary of the bandshell, 2026. |
From the Elkhorn Independent, 6/26/1996; this is a copy of the 8/12/1926 report of the first band concert and is from the Elkhorn Independent, 8/12/1926
Holton Band Concerts are Fridays, 7:30 pm.
Sounds of Sunset Summer Concert Series are Tuesdays at 6 pm.
All are free!
Sounds of Sunset Summer Concert Series are Tuesdays at 6 pm.
All are free!
Elkhorn has a rich history of music.
The Village Profile provides more information about Elkhorn.
- Joseph P. Webster, composed the first of over 1.000 songs when he moved to Elkhorn in 1857. Two of the most famous are "Lorena" and "In the Sweet By and By".
- The Holton Company is one of the oldest manufacturer of trumpets, cornets, French horns, and trombones instruments. It operated in Elkhorn from 1918 to 2008 when it moved to Eastlake, OH.
- The Getzen family from 1939 to present have manufactured trumpets, coronets, flugelhorns, trombones, baritones, and other specialty instruments.
The Village Profile provides more information about Elkhorn.
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