Property Record
3 W BAYFIELD ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | DUPONT YMCA CLUB |
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| Other Name: | WASHBURN CIVIC CENTER |
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| Reference Number: | 153581 |
| Location (Address): | 3 W BAYFIELD ST |
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| County: | Bayfield |
| City: | Washburn |
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| Year Built: | 1918 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 20082022 |
| Historic Use: | recreational building/gymnasium |
| Architectural Style: | Dutch Colonial Revival |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Asbestos |
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| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| National Register Listing Date: | |
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| 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 Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Historic Preservation-Public History. ORIGINAL BROWNSTONE FRONT PORCH HAS NOW BEEN REMOVED AND ORIGINAL WOOD SHINGLE SIDING HAS NOW BEEN RESIDED IN ASBESTOS SHINGLES AND VINYL CLAPBOARD. HIGHLY IMPORTANT MULTI-PURPOSE COMMUNITY RECREATION BUILDING BUILT BY THE DUPONT CO. FOR ITS WORKERS AND OTHER WASHBURN CITIZENS. An extraordinary truss system at the rear creates a roof without interior support columns, allowing the room to function as a gymnasium. For many years, this was the true social center of the city. The bowling alley in the basement was home to leagues where a broad spectrum of citizens competed: mayor, clergy, judges, city councilors, and plant workers. On the first floor, a comfortable room with a fireplace featured one of Washburn's first radios. It was considered a great honor to operate the large Atwater Kent radio. The gymnasium was used for dances and mixers and balls. Basketball was always popular, with many families having members on the DuPont Club basketball team. The center became even more integral to the Washburn community when Walker High School burned in 1947 and school was held at this location until 1950. This building was sold to the city in 1961. 2022 - appearance unchanged (apart from new paint) |
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| Bibliographic References: | Washburn Heritage Preservation Association. Wood, Stone, and Water: Washburn Walking Tour. Bayfield: Roslyn Nelson, 2005. PP. 28-29. HISTORIC WASHBURN REAL ESTATE TAX ASSESSMENT ROLLS. WASHBURN TIMES: SEPT. 5, 1918, P. 1; JAN. 16, 1919, P. 1. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |