| Additional Information: | Previously surveyed in 1972.
Lakeside Park is located at the very north end of the city, at the termination of N. Main Street as it runs into Lake Winnebago. It includes a lighthouse (AHI#16492); no less than six bridges (AHI#s 27173, 209141-201945); a bandstand (1900; AHI#16501); a park pavilion (1974; AHI#209146); a number of park shelters (the most substantial of which was surveyed as AHI#209147); a log building (AHI#210401); a fountain (AHI#210421); and a pair of modern gazebos (AHI#210502). In addition, more modern park shelters, a modern covered wooden bridge; a playing field; a 1900 street car waiting station; a small amusement area for children which includes a historic-period carousel; a barn; and a 1911 locomotive are located throughout the park. The grounds also still retain a deer park, as well as a petting zoo and both modern (brick paved) and older paths are located throughout the park.
The history of Lakeside Park is covered extensively through a series of newspaper articles compiled in 1976 for a booklet entitled, Lakeside Park: Past, Present, Future. Briefly summarized, a meeting was held in 1889 to explore the possibility of lake/beach access; shortly thereafter the Lakeside Park committee was established with William McDermott as Chair. In 1896 a swimming school was established and, the following year, landscape architect O.C. Simonds was hired to prepare a park plan. The next year a pavilion and bridge (both are no longer extant) were built (the gift of John Boyle) and in 1900 plans for a bandstand (designed by Hiram Thompson and which remains extant), park seating and a street car waiting station began. Paths were staked out shortly afterwards. A wooden bridge was added in 1912, campsites added in 1920 with lighting to follow the next year. In 1922, a stucco pavilion was built to replace the original one. An ornamental lagoon bridge was added in 1926, shortly after the completion of the concrete and stone bridge over the channel. Finally in 1927, the first bond issue for park improvements passed since those presented in both 1915 and 1916 were defeated. A zoo was established in the park as of 1930. Three years later, a lighthouse--perhaps the most substantial structure in the park--was built. It was designed by Roger A. Sutherland and the materials were donated by lumberman W.J. Nuss. The structure stands 40 feet high and is octagonal in shape. Flagstone covers the lower portion, while the rest is covered with wood. A winding interior staircase accesses the "catwalk" at the top. WPA funding in 1934 helped to dredge the park's harbor as well as the construction of 380 feet of riprap. In 1935, the bronze statue of "The Hiker" was planned for and erected the following year at the N. Main Street entrance to the park. Twenty years later, Steam Locomotive No. 2714, which was built in 1911 and served the Wisconsin Central and Soo Line railroads, was added to the park. In 1974, a new park pavilion was erected and two years later a barn (for the petting zoo) was built. The larger zoo has since been reduced to a deer park.
Although the park continues to provide recreational activities to both residents and visitors to Fond du Lac, the park does not retain its original landscape characteristics as evidenced through a comparison to a 1910 plan for the park. While Lakeside Park was conceived of prior to the twentieth century and much of its improvements were made in the first quarter of the twentieth century, only two structures remain from that era; the streetcar waiting station and the bandstand. Regarding the waiting station (which is a locally designated landmark), it has been moved from its original location on a number of occasions. |
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