| 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.
Duncan Creek (2708) picnic area (27-10) and zoo has scattered utilitarian buildings of wood.
Although not a significant example of landscape design, the Irvine Park has retained the original design and purpose and is a very important site in the city of Chippewa Falls.
Irvine Park was founded in 1906 following a gift of 137 3/4 acres from the Chippewa LUmber and Boom Company. The property gift was secured through the efforts of William Irvine. Irvine personally donated as additional twwenty one acres, purchased from local residents. L.C. Stanley, past opwner of the Stanley Manufacturing Company of Chippewa Falls, donated an additional 21 3/4 acres for an access from Bridgewater Avenue. The common council voted to establish five member park commission to manage the property and to name the park in Irvine's honor. John Hockenbrack was appointed superintendent in charge of clearing and landscaping.
In 1907, William Irvine again acted as benefactor, purchasing $3,000 of park bonds for park improvements, then cancelling them and returning them to the city. The sam year A. B. McDonell and other Glen Mill property owners donated the use of a reservoir adjoining the park. Used for boating and water sports, this area was called Glen Lock.
In 1912, Chippewa Lumber and Boom Company, through Irvine, donated an additional 100 acres near Glen Lock. Two years later Irvine personally paid for the construction of a three span bridge across a ravine near Glen Lock, called Briege O'Pines, and he paid for the cleraing of the lumber company's new donation. Irvine also paid for the paving of a drive, named in his honor, through this property.
William Irvine died in 1927. He bequeathed an additional $100,000 in interest bearing bonds to be used for the maintenance and improvement of the part. At a final accounting of the will in 1942, an addit4ional $4,000 was sput in trust for Irvine Park.
Mary Marshall added a playground and swimming area to the park through a gift in 1929 and margaret barker donated land for a picnic area in 1959, now called Hurd Picnic Plan. (F)
Irvine Park is of significant historical interest because its establishement mareked a turning point in the city's planning for recreational facilities for its residents. Earlier offers of gifts of land for city parks were declined.
It is also noteworthy that Irvine Park bergan as a gift from the Chippewa Lumber and Boom Company, a lasting remainder of that industry's involvement in the city. |
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| Bibliographic References: | CHIPPEWA FALLS HERALD TELEGRAM 7/20/1994.
A. Irvine Park Records (Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin: Park Board)
B. Ibid.
C. Ibid.
D. Ibid.
E. Ibid.
F. Information derived from Ibid., Ruth Willut, "William Irvine and Irvine Park," unpublished manuscript, 1980 (Chippewa Falls: Chippewa Falls Public Library; Minutes, Park Board (Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin: Park Board).
G. Chippewa County Wisconsin Past and Present (Chicago, 1913), pp. 242-256.
H. Irvine Park Commission Records. |
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