The Owen Park Bandshell was built in 1938 with funding provided by a Great Depression era unemployment program, called the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The bandshell is situated in Owen Park, an 11-acre park on the west bank of the Chippewa River. Land for the park was donated by local lumber baron John Owen in 1914 and quickly became popular for picnics and other social gatherings.

Free band concerts were initiated in Eau Claire in 1912, but it was not until the band came under the direction of Donald "Sarge" Boyd in 1929 that excitement and enthusiasm for the concerts made them an important summertime activity. The popularity of Boyd's municipal band probably led the City of Eau Claire to seek WPA funding for a permanent bandshell, which was completed in time for the 1938 concert season. Donald Boyd directed the debut concert on June 16, 1938 and continued the Thursday night summer concert series until his retirement in 1984.

The Art Deco influenced bandshell reflects the strong association between this style and musical performance in film, theater, and touring acts of the period. Its distinct "shell" shape provided an acoustic backdrop for many community band concerts, patriotic events, festivals and fairs. Strips of colorful neon highlight the distinctive stepped interior of the bandshell and have remained in operating condition since their original installation.

In July 1992 the bandshell was dedicated and renamed in honor of Donald I "Sarge" Boyd who died in 1985.

The bandshell is owned and maintained by the City of Eau Claire and accessible to the public during normal park hours.