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Summary
Baileys Harbor Town Hall and McArdle Library
2392 County Trunk Highway F, Baileys Harbor, Door County
Architect: Sylvester J. Schmitt
Date of Construction: 1937-38/1995
The Baileys Harbor Town Hall and McArdle Library reflects both the growth of local government services and the proliferation of libraries in small towns in the early 20th century. The multi-use building is the largest public building in the community, housing town offices, the public library and a large auditorium space used for entertainment, athletics, family functions, and various summer activities. Living quarters were also provided in the upper story for the building's caretaker.
Despite the lingering economic depression, local initiatives successfully funded construction of the town hall and library. Michael W. McArdle, a successful Chicago industrialist, originally from Baileys Harbor, gave a large donation to the project. The remainder of funding came from the federal WPA work relief program.
Sylvester J. Schmitt, an architect from Two Rivers, Wisconsin, received the commission to design the structure. WPA funded architects commonly used the Colonial Revival design, due to its symbolic expression of nationalism, providing an image of security and stability during a tumultuous time. McArdle insisted on the locally quarried limestone exterior, but coincidentally reflected the WPA's emphasis on local labor-intensive construction materials. The building's colonial embellishments include a stepped parapet with stone coping and an octagonal tower with louvered openings, and a conical roof topped with a weathervane. Other accents include a denticulated cornice, flat arches with a central keystone and oculus windows. On each end of the façade, separate entrances demarcate the library and the town hall functions. A 1995 addition was made to expand library space, designed to blend with the original structure.
The town hall/library is still in operation and is open during regular hours.
Property Details
Resources Within The Property
Designations
State & National Registers of Historic Places
The State Register and National Register recognize buildings, sites, districts, structures, and objects that are significant in national, state, or local history. The State Historic Preservation Office in conjunction with the National Park Service maintains the list for Wisconsin and makes the data available to the public for research and education.
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Town Hall and McArdle Library
circa 1920-1929
Photographic postcard view of the long stone building that houses the town hall on the right, and the library on the left. On the roof is a small cupola with a weather vane, and there is a fire esc...
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