La Crosse
Riverside Park Bandstand
THE 1930 ORIGINAL
8/16/2005
On June 1, 1930, in historic Riverside Park along the Mississippi River, a ceremony was held in which the bandstand's cornerstone was laid. A copper vault holding memorabilia was placed into the it. Local choirs performed and Mayor John E. Langdon spoke to the large audience. A bronze memorial plaque honoring Dr. Wendell A. Anderson, twice mayor, is in the front and center of the bandstand.
Funding for the bandstand came from private donations, with the largest of $25,000 from the sons (John, Greeley, and Spencer) of Dr. Wendell A. Anderson. The Anderson funds required a match of $5,000 from other sources and citizens and many local school children donated this. Part of the Anderson's gift - $10,00 - was placed into the riverside Park Entertainment Fund, later renamed the Anderson Memorial Fund.
The bandstand was designed by Otto A. Merman and constructed by Theodore Molzahn, a well known contractor in La Crosse during that summer. Dedication of the completed bandstand occurred on September 14, 1930.
A description of the bandstand from the La Crosse Tribune, June 1, 1930, reads:
"The steps divide at each side and lead up to the rostrum proper, which is arranged in the form of three stepped platform circular in plan, enclosed with a fluted reflecting wall of various heights, angular in plan and buttressed with four fluted pylons. Grouped about the front of the memorial in a circular manner, will be provided permanent fixed benches to accommodate the audience. The structure will be constructed of solid blocks and slabs of stone, the four pylons being of one solid block each. The wall panel slabs will each be one solid slab. Buff 'Bedford stone' or native 'Winona Travertine stone' will be used in the structure. The stone pylons are surmounted with solid bronze lanterns of ample wattage for proper light illumination. Careful consideration has been given to permanency, only solid stone and bronze materials being used avoiding any maintenance expense.
Funding for the bandstand came from private donations, with the largest of $25,000 from the sons (John, Greeley, and Spencer) of Dr. Wendell A. Anderson. The Anderson funds required a match of $5,000 from other sources and citizens and many local school children donated this. Part of the Anderson's gift - $10,00 - was placed into the riverside Park Entertainment Fund, later renamed the Anderson Memorial Fund.
The bandstand was designed by Otto A. Merman and constructed by Theodore Molzahn, a well known contractor in La Crosse during that summer. Dedication of the completed bandstand occurred on September 14, 1930.
A description of the bandstand from the La Crosse Tribune, June 1, 1930, reads:
"The steps divide at each side and lead up to the rostrum proper, which is arranged in the form of three stepped platform circular in plan, enclosed with a fluted reflecting wall of various heights, angular in plan and buttressed with four fluted pylons. Grouped about the front of the memorial in a circular manner, will be provided permanent fixed benches to accommodate the audience. The structure will be constructed of solid blocks and slabs of stone, the four pylons being of one solid block each. The wall panel slabs will each be one solid slab. Buff 'Bedford stone' or native 'Winona Travertine stone' will be used in the structure. The stone pylons are surmounted with solid bronze lanterns of ample wattage for proper light illumination. Careful consideration has been given to permanency, only solid stone and bronze materials being used avoiding any maintenance expense.
2019 RENOVATION OF THE BANDSTAND
The bandstand was renovated in 1962, 1978, and a 1986 addition. The 2019 plan was to keep much of its original design and stone materials while integrating a new stage and handicap access. River Architects completed plans, the City approved, and construction began in spring 2019.
The renovated bandstand plus new seating was to be ready by May 2019, but delays occurred, mainly because of poor spring weather conditions. The City allocated $1.14 million for the project.
The renovated bandstand plus new seating was to be ready by May 2019, but delays occurred, mainly because of poor spring weather conditions. The City allocated $1.14 million for the project.
Perspective of renovated bandshell, courtesy of River Architects
6/6/2019; The start of construction
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6/6/2019; The start of construction
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8/6/2020; Ramp leading to the stage
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2019-20 ADDITION OF THE SHELL
A shell over the stage was intended to give shelter to performers (both during sunny or rainy days) and improve acoustics. It needed to be a separate structure from the bandstand which has historic significance. The consortium sent eight Request for Proposals to architects. From these, Roald Gundersen was selected as the architect. The design is intended to reflect the past logging industry with the shell supported by tree-like spires - the trees were harvested from the La Crosse area. Blending the Art Deco style of the original bandstand with the overpowering tree-like spires was a tricky task. The shell was completed with copper fish-scale roof shingles similar to the Pettibone Park Shelter and its arches mirror the Cass Street Bridge which crosses the Mississippi and is visible from the Park. LED lighting along with additional audio and visual upgrades are also included.
The original plan was that after Riverfest (held over the Fourth of July in 2019), the new shell portion would begin construction to complement the work done by the City. A consortium consisting of Rotary Lights, Moon Tunes, La Crosse Concert Band, La Crosse Jazz Orchestra, Downtown La Crosse, Riverfest, Valley View Rotary, and Explore La Crosse, was tasked to raise $500,000 from the community to fund this. Donations were kicked off with $50,000 from the La Crosse Concert Band Endowment Fund and $100,000 from the Paul E. Stry Foundation. After that, it was topped off with more than $1,000,000 in donations. The construction started later than planned with a majority of it completed by spring of 2020. The consortium has planned to morph into the "Friends" nonprofit organization, which will use the excess funds to add five more rows of benches and to renovate bathrooms at the north and south ends of the park.
The original plan was that after Riverfest (held over the Fourth of July in 2019), the new shell portion would begin construction to complement the work done by the City. A consortium consisting of Rotary Lights, Moon Tunes, La Crosse Concert Band, La Crosse Jazz Orchestra, Downtown La Crosse, Riverfest, Valley View Rotary, and Explore La Crosse, was tasked to raise $500,000 from the community to fund this. Donations were kicked off with $50,000 from the La Crosse Concert Band Endowment Fund and $100,000 from the Paul E. Stry Foundation. After that, it was topped off with more than $1,000,000 in donations. The construction started later than planned with a majority of it completed by spring of 2020. The consortium has planned to morph into the "Friends" nonprofit organization, which will use the excess funds to add five more rows of benches and to renovate bathrooms at the north and south ends of the park.
From "The La Crosse Tribune", July 20, 2018, Jourdan Vian, Reporter: "These conceptual drawings by Roald Gundersen give a general idea of what the shell overtop the Wendell Anderson bandstand would look like once complete. A consortium of users is raising private funds to pay for the project, which is intended to provide better acoustics and shelter for musicians. Roald Gundersen is the designer."
Trees to support the canopy roof of the bandshell arrived in early September 2019. Within a few days, the first pieces of the canopy were being installed. By the end of October 2019, 17 rafters were in place.
In the ;ate summer of 2023, a "quick fix" was required when during a regular inspection, movement was discovered. The project was done in a short time and was ready for the regularly scheduled concert the following day!
Finally, after a delay of over a year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, a grand opening for the newly renovated band shell was held Thursday, June 3, 2021. It honored all contributors who helped fund the repair of the original historic structure along with the addition of the new canopy. Moon Tunes played following the ceremony.
SOME OF THE MANY PAVERS IN RECOGNITION OF DONORS FOR THE SHELL STRUCTURE
The pavers form a concrete semicircle with the permanent benches behind them. All photos from 8/6/2020.
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CONCERTS
The La Crosse Concert Band has performed free concerts at Riverside Park Bandstand since 1931. Established in late 1930 as the La Crosse City Band, it was the official city band until 1947 when city financial support ended. It was then changed to the La Crosse Concert Band. In 1969 three women joined the Band - prior to that women had been only guest soloists.
Concerts, all free:
Concerts, all free:
- Wednesday evening weekly outdoor concert season by the La Crosse Concert Band;
- Thursday evening weekly series hosted by the Valley View Rotary - Moon Tunes, in June, July, August, and into September, with a variety of artists and bands;
- and the La Crosse Jazz Orchestra concerts which play many Sundays in June, July, and August.
OTHER ART WORK AT RIVERSIDE PARK
7/27/2018; Located at the south end of Riverside Park
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7/27/2018; At base of eagle statue
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7/27/2018; Hiawatha statue located at the north end of Riverside Park. The statue was removed from the park on 8/11/2020
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City officials, Ho-Chunk members, and the artist's family have met to discuss moving the Hiawatha statue to a private property. In July 2020, it was determined that the Hiawatha statue was to be removed and on 8/11/2020, the Hiawatha statue was moved and placed in storage until a private location for it can be determined. From a 7/28/2018 La Crosse Tribune news story: The Hiawatha statue, located at the north end of Riverside Park, may be moved to a different site. Ho-Chunk member Tracy Littlejohn has said that "(The statue) doesn't teach other people who are seeing it anything about our culture, our history. Native people, because of historical trauma already are dealing with so much. There's been a lot of forced assimilation, so a lot of young people haven't had those positive influences to help them understand who they are as a Ho-Chunk, teach them their culture, teach them their history." 
7/27/2018; Description at the base of the Hiawatha statue
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