Property Record
MAIN ST, END
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | South Park |
|---|---|
| Other Name: | South Park |
| Contributing: | |
| Reference Number: | 116960 |
| Location (Address): | MAIN ST, END |
|---|---|
| County: | Waupaca |
| City: | Waupaca |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
| Range: | |
| Direction: | |
| Section: | |
| Quarter Section: | |
| Quarter/Quarter Section: |
| Year Built: | 1884 |
|---|---|
| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1998 |
| Historic Use: | park |
| Architectural Style: | NA (unknown or not a building) |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
|---|---|
| National Register Listing Date: | |
| State Register Listing Date: |
| Additional Information: | South Park is a large city park located on the northern shores of Mirror Lake at the end of South Main Street. It is a mature park with many large trees and shrubs, asphalt parking areas, a historic house museum, and beaches and play areas. In 1884, the Waupaca city council authorized the purchase of land in this area for a city park, but the park was not fully developed for 20 years. After 1900, interest in developing the park increased and in 1907, the Woman's Club began improvements, including cleaning out brush and planting new trees and shrubs. In 1908, a park commission helped make plans for the park and a waterworks system was installed. Over the next few years, more plantings were made in South Park, a fountain was installed, and a drive built for access in and out by carriages and automobiles. In 1921, more land was acquired to expand South Park, but it was not fully developed until 1933, when unemployed residents were paid by the city to clear out brush and stumps, level the land, make walks and bridges, and generally improve the new grounds of the park. Also, this effort improved South Park beach and renovated the bath houses. South Park continues to be the jewel of the Waupaca park system. South Park is one of the most important historic landscapes in Waupaca and it is an important recreation site as well. |
|---|---|
| Bibliographic References: | Freiburger, Rosemary and John Holzman. Our Heritage. Waupaca, WI: Waupaca County Post, 1976, p. 14. "Plea for Play Grounds." Waupaca Post, 11 April 1912, p. 3. "Park Area is Improved by Indigent Aid." Waupaca Post, 18 May 1933, p. 1. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |