Marion Park Pavilion
Marion Park, Glidden, WIThe Marion Park Pavilion is an example of the Works Progress Administration program that encouraged the use of local design skills, labor, and materials. During the severest depression years, the federal government attempted to meet the needs of the unemployed millions through a large-scale national works program. The Town of Jacobs, in which the unincorporated Glidden lies in northern Wisconsin's Ashland County, responded to the WPA program with a public building project that provided jobs and business to the community. From its completion more than forty years ago by the WPA, the Marion Park Pavilion has continued to be a gathering place for the community. The Pavilion is unique in adapting the engineering concepts of a three-hinged arch with a bowstring truss to obtain a large volume dome-shaped structure constructed of timber members and metal tie rods. This combination of engineering forms achieved a sizeable structure with local materials and craftsmen.
Situated in the heart of Wisconsin's north woods, the community of Glidden in the Town of Jacobs lies on the banks of the Chippewa River. Since its platting in 1878 with the coming of the Wisconsin Central Railway, the village has always depended on timber-related industries for its livelihood. Sawmills and woodworking plants, as well as mills turning out shingles, barrel staves, and broom handles, provided jobs in Glidden.
By the early 1930s, because of the depletion of timber resources, drought, subsequent fires, and the general economic depression, Glidden fell on hard times along with most of the region. A flood of federal programs and projects came into the region. In 1933 four Civilian Conservation Corps camps were set up in the area, bringing in almost 600 men. They planted trees, fought fires, cleaned streams, cut new roads and erected bridges. But the depression still held the region five years later. None of the sixteen villages, cities, or towns in Ashland County paid tax rolls to the county treasurer by the designated deadline. That same year a Glidden man was named superintendent of all Works Progress Administration programs in Ashland County.
Choosing between a sewer system or a public building for Glidden, the Town of Jacobs WPA program drew upon local skills to draw plans for a community pavilion, replacing an aging building in Marion Park, on the outskirts of Glidden. Frank Huber, the designer carpenter for the old pavilion some thirty years earlier, was a German immigrant who had arrived in Glidden in about 1904. Huber, with the aid of Gust Kasin of Marshfield, designed a dance pavilion in the shape of an octagon covered by a large domed roof. Since the pavilion was intended primarily for dancing (and roller skating too), Huber wanted no vertical structural supports to hinder activities on the floor. Huber's plan was approved by the State Industrial Commission. With local materials and WPA labor under the direction of Henry Hoffschmidt, the pavilion was begun in July of 1938. A formal dedication address was held on June 2, 1939, the address given by Fred R. Zimmerman, former governor and then Secretary of State.
From its inception, the pavilion was and continues to be, a source of pride for the community. Dances, roller skating, and an annual community fair provide a great deal of use for the pavilion.
Local significance of the building:
Situated in the heart of Wisconsin's north woods, the community of Glidden in the Town of Jacobs lies on the banks of the Chippewa River. Since its platting in 1878 with the coming of the Wisconsin Central Railway, the village has always depended on timber-related industries for its livelihood. Sawmills and woodworking plants, as well as mills turning out shingles, barrel staves, and broom handles, provided jobs in Glidden.
By the early 1930s, because of the depletion of timber resources, drought, subsequent fires, and the general economic depression, Glidden fell on hard times along with most of the region. A flood of federal programs and projects came into the region. In 1933 four Civilian Conservation Corps camps were set up in the area, bringing in almost 600 men. They planted trees, fought fires, cleaned streams, cut new roads and erected bridges. But the depression still held the region five years later. None of the sixteen villages, cities, or towns in Ashland County paid tax rolls to the county treasurer by the designated deadline. That same year a Glidden man was named superintendent of all Works Progress Administration programs in Ashland County.
Choosing between a sewer system or a public building for Glidden, the Town of Jacobs WPA program drew upon local skills to draw plans for a community pavilion, replacing an aging building in Marion Park, on the outskirts of Glidden. Frank Huber, the designer carpenter for the old pavilion some thirty years earlier, was a German immigrant who had arrived in Glidden in about 1904. Huber, with the aid of Gust Kasin of Marshfield, designed a dance pavilion in the shape of an octagon covered by a large domed roof. Since the pavilion was intended primarily for dancing (and roller skating too), Huber wanted no vertical structural supports to hinder activities on the floor. Huber's plan was approved by the State Industrial Commission. With local materials and WPA labor under the direction of Henry Hoffschmidt, the pavilion was begun in July of 1938. A formal dedication address was held on June 2, 1939, the address given by Fred R. Zimmerman, former governor and then Secretary of State.
From its inception, the pavilion was and continues to be, a source of pride for the community. Dances, roller skating, and an annual community fair provide a great deal of use for the pavilion.
Engineering; Politics/government; Social History
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1981.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
The famous magician and escape artist Harry Houdini spent his early childhood in Appleton, Wisconsin.
About Ashland County
Ashland County Timeline
Ashland County, Wisconsin has a rich and diverse history that dates back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by the Ojibwe and other Native American tribes. European exploration and settlement began in the late 17th century, with French fur traders and missionaries establishing a presence in the region. The area was heavily involved in the fur trade, with trappers and traders using the nearby waterways to transport goods.
In the mid-19th century, Ashland County saw a significant influx of settlers due to the discovery of copper and iron ore deposits. Mining operations boomed, attracting people from all over the country. The city of Ashland was founded in 1854 as a mining town and quickly became a major center for shipping ore and supplies. The mining industry played a crucial role in the development of the county, providing jobs and economic growth.
The arrival of the railroads in the late 19th century further contributed to Ashland County's growth. The railroads improved transportation and allowed for the expansion of industries such as logging and agriculture. Timber became a major industry, with vast forests providing a steady supply of lumber. Agriculture also thrived, with dairy farming becoming particularly important.
Throughout the 20th century, Ashland County experienced both prosperity and challenges. The decline of the mining and logging industries in the latter part of the century had a significant impact on the local economy. However, the county has continued to adapt and diversify, with tourism and outdoor recreation becoming increasingly important. Ashland County is now known for its beautiful natural landscapes, including the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, which attract visitors from all over the world.
In the mid-19th century, Ashland County saw a significant influx of settlers due to the discovery of copper and iron ore deposits. Mining operations boomed, attracting people from all over the country. The city of Ashland was founded in 1854 as a mining town and quickly became a major center for shipping ore and supplies. The mining industry played a crucial role in the development of the county, providing jobs and economic growth.
The arrival of the railroads in the late 19th century further contributed to Ashland County's growth. The railroads improved transportation and allowed for the expansion of industries such as logging and agriculture. Timber became a major industry, with vast forests providing a steady supply of lumber. Agriculture also thrived, with dairy farming becoming particularly important.
Throughout the 20th century, Ashland County experienced both prosperity and challenges. The decline of the mining and logging industries in the latter part of the century had a significant impact on the local economy. However, the county has continued to adapt and diversify, with tourism and outdoor recreation becoming increasingly important. Ashland County is now known for its beautiful natural landscapes, including the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, which attract visitors from all over the world.
Ashland County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Ashland County, Wisconsin.
- 1860: Ashland County is created by the Wisconsin State Legislature
- 1870: Ashland becomes the county seat
- 1870s: Logging and sawmills drive the local economy
- 1883: The Wisconsin Central Railroad reaches Ashland
- 1894: Ashland experiences a devastating fire that destroys most of the city
- 1900: The population of Ashland County reaches its peak
- 1920s: The decline of the lumber industry leads to a shift in the local economy towards tourism and agriculture
- 1940s: Ashland County contributes to the war effort during World War II
- 1970s: The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is established, boosting tourism in the area
- 1990s: The population of Ashland County begins to decline