Property Record
SPOONER FISH HATCHERY
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | |
|---|---|
| Other Name: | Spooner Fish Hatchery: Hatchery Ponds |
| Contributing: | |
| Reference Number: | 78706 |
| Location (Address): | SPOONER FISH HATCHERY |
|---|---|
| County: | Washburn |
| City: | |
| Township/Village: | Spooner |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | 39 |
| Range: | 12 |
| Direction: | W |
| Section: | 31 |
| Quarter Section: | |
| Quarter/Quarter Section: |
| Year Built: | 1939 |
|---|---|
| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1991 |
| Historic Use: | hatchery/nursery |
| Architectural Style: | Astylistic Utilitarian 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: | 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 State Historical Society, Division of Historic Preservation. These astylistic utilitarian hatchery ponds feature irregular shaped plan configurations and earthen foundations. Description of Complex: The Spooner State Fish Hatchery and Northwest District Headquarters (Highway 70) is located on the southern edge of the City of Spooner in Washburn County. Since 1914, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has been raising fish at the Spooner Hatchery. At first only northern pike were raised. Today, northern pike, muskellunge, walleye and suckers are raised between April and October each year. Fish Hatchery Park is located adjacent to the hatchery and the Wisconsin DNR's Northerwest District Headquarters is across the street from the hatchery. The fish hatchery complex consists of a hatchery building (8/27, 1939), two metal storage buildings (9/2, 9/5, both 1937), a net house (9/6, 1939), a Rustic style water fountain (8/33, 1939), a stone show pool (8/31, 1939), and many stone retaining walls (8/28) of the same period. The hatchery buildings are in excellent condition overall. This hatchery has an extensive arrangement of rearing ponds, most of which are lined with stonework. On the northern side of State Highway 70 is the Northwest District Headquarters and the remaining hatchery buildings. The arrangement of these buildings is very unique-- they surround a tree-lined boulevard. The curbs (not surveyed) have been immaculately constructed with stones. The net house is pale adam green, and constructed of drop siding with white wood trim details. It is in excellent condition. The rest of the buildings (9/9-11) that surround the boulevard are constructed between 1939 and 1941. They are constructed of poured concrete and have unique Art Deco engaged pier details. The uncanny similarity between these buildings and the shop building at Nevin State Fish Hatchery (1940), leads to the conclusion that these were constructed by the WPA as well. (The shop building at Nevin has a lintel piece inscribed "WPA 1940"). This complex of buildings has been considered as a potential Historic District, especially due to the buildings surrounding the boulevard. |
|---|---|
| Bibliographic References: | A. Date of construction source: Hatchery date. B. Wis. DNR Bureau of Fisheries Management PUBL-FM-737 89. C. DNR Site File # 00153-00157, 00159, 00160, 00191, 00193, 00195. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |