Hudson
Lakefront Park Bandshell
5/19/1938 The Hudson Star-Observer
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According the City of Hudson, Wisconsin, Parks and Outdoor Recreation Plan 2015-2020, the Lakefront Park land was purchased in 1920 after local citizens, as early as 1910, wanted something done about the eyesore created by an abandoned lumber mill along the St Croix River shores. In 1923, additional property was acquired for the Park. First features of the Park included a memorial, a bathhouse, and an an historical marker commemorating French exploration of the St. Croix Valley. The Lakefront Park is located along the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway which was established in 1968. The Bandshell along with new picnic grounds and a restroom were built in 1938. The Bandshell's Art Deco architectural style matches the entry stone archway to the Park. The cost of the Bandshell was "in the neighborhood" of $2,500. The Bandshell was modeled after a previous bandshell and the William H. Phipps Foundation (the Foundation) helped to fund it. |
The following are news articles are from The Hudson Star-Observer with stories about the first two concerts of the season at Prospect Park that led up to the dedication concert of the new Bandshell at Lake Front Park. (A special thanks to UWRF University Archives and Area Research Center for providing the information.)
6/9/1938
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6/16/1938
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6/23/1938
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6/23/1938 Continued article
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6/30/1938
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6/30/1938 - Continued
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6/30/1938 - Continued; The last sentence is "Elliot Jones, secretary of the Park Board, estimated that the total attendance at last Sunday’s concert was close to 2,000, if not more."
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7/26/2018 Park stone archway entry
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 6/30/1938 Announcement of 7/2/1938 concert
Free concerts for the Hudson community continued into July of 1938.
Today free concerts are held most Thursdays with some other days during the summer months. A variety of music is offered. The Foundation has also sponsored the annual appearance of the Minnesota Orchestra concert for the past number of years and also assisted the City of Hudson in the bandshell's construction. |
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