Property Record
ISLAND PARK
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Island Park |
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| Other Name: | ROOT RIVER |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 10999 |
| Location (Address): | ISLAND PARK |
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| County: | Racine |
| City: | Racine |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
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| Year Built: | 1905 |
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| Additions: | C. 1909 |
| Survey Date: | 20022016 |
| Historic Use: | park |
| Architectural Style: | NA (unknown or not a building) |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | |
| Architect: | JENS JENSEN |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| National Register Listing Date: | |
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| Additional Information: | A 'site file' exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Historic Preservation. 2016- Island Park consists of an island created where the Root River splits south of Spring Street and rejoins just north of W. 6th Street. Bisected by Kinzie Avenue, Island Park consists of segments of the Pathway that run alongside the river and connect to pedestrian bridges; two ball fields; tennis courts; a playground; and a shelter and picnic area. The land mass is generally flat and shaped like a lightbulb with a wider northern portion narrowing toward the southern terminus. Throughout the park mature deciduous and evergreen trees line the footpaths, vehicular drive, and banks of the Root River. Stone retaining walls, which were part of the original park design and a focus of Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects during the Great Depression, line both sides of the river as it encircles the island. Prominent businessman and philanthropist William Horlick donated money for the city to purchase the eastern portion of present-day Island Park, which became known as Horlick Park, as well as Washington Park. Industrialist and veteran Captain William Mitchell Lewis funded the western portion of the Island Park land mass, which became Lewis Field. ISLAND PARK WAS CREATED FROM HORLICK PARK (C.1906) AND LEWIS FIELD (C.1909). HISTORIC MAP OF THE PARK IS FILED WITH THE INTENSIVE SURVEY MAPS IN G-13. |
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| Bibliographic References: | Architecture and History Survey. January 2002. Prepared by Heritage Research, Ltd. Board of Park Commissioners Ninth Annual Report. Racine, Wis.: City of Racine, 1913. Blueprints. Hanson, George. “Long Range Thinking of Civic-Minded Pioneers Responsible for Elaborate Recreation System.” Racine Journal-Times, June 28, 1948. Racine Heritage Museum Research Center. Stone, Fanny S. Racine, Belle City of the Lakes and Racine County, Wisconsin, Chicago: S.J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1916. Vol. 1, p. 153. Tenuta, Marci Laehr. “WPA Helped Build a New Racine.” Racine Journal Times, December 20, 2009. http://journaltimes.com/lifestyles/relationships-and-special-occasions/wpa-helped-build-a-new-racine/article_3af20592-ece6-11de-a842-001cc4c03286.html. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |