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Property Location
| Location (Address) | RIVERSIDE PARK W END OF STATE ST |
|---|---|
| County | La Crosse |
| City/Village | La Crosse |
| Township | |
| Unincorporated community | |
| Town | |
| Range | |
| Direction | |
| Section | |
| Quarter Section | |
| Quarter Quarter Section |
Property Features
| Year Built | 1911 |
|---|---|
| Additions | |
| Survey Date | 1996,2017 |
| Historic Use | park |
| Architectural Style | NA (unknown or not a building) |
| Structural System | |
| Wall Material | |
| Architect | John Nolen |
| Other Buildings On Site | |
| Demolished | No |
| Demolished Date | |
| Additional Comments |
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. Riverside Park is an example of landscape architecture by the famous architect John Nolen. Some of the original design remains. When the waterfront was no longer needed as a transportation facility after closing the ferry in 1891, the property became a park area. The area west of the Spence Park was landfilled creating Levee Park, or Riverside Park, as it is kown today. John Nolen of Cambridge, Massachusetts, the well known landscape architect, was hired to create a park of the area, along with a city wide plan for a complete city park system. Nolen, hired by the city council, was influenced by J.M. Hixon and other city leaders. John Nolen worked for the city of La Crosse from 1908 to 1911. Nolen designed a park system for the fcity. Riverside Park became the most centrally located of the Nolen Parks. 2017 UPDATE - MUCH OF RIVERSIDE PARK REMAINS INTACT SINCE LAST SURVEYED IN 1996, HOWEVER, THE WALKWAY ALONG THE LEVEE HAS BEEN ENHANCED WITH NEW FENCING, DURABLE BENCH SEATING AND A BIKE PATH CONNECTING TO SOUTH OF THE PARK ALONG THE RIVER. |
| Bibliographic References | John Nolen, "The Making of a Park System, La Crosse" (n. p. 1911) |
National And State Register Of Historic Places Listings
| National/State Register Listing Name | Not Listed |
|---|---|
| National Register Listing Date | |
| State Register Listing Date | |
| Contributing |
Architecture & History Inventory
The Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory (AHI) is a digital source of information on historic buildings, structures, and objects that have been surveyed by the State Historic Preservation Office in Wisconsin. Each property has a digital record providing basic information about the property and images.
Questions?
Wondering about if your property is eligible or notice some information on this property needs to be updated, reach out today!
Email UsAttribution
For a credit line: Wisconsin Historical Society, Creator, Title, Unique Identifier.
The Unique Identifier can be found at the top or bottom of the page for each item. The name of a downloaded file is NOT the unique identifier.
For bibliographic citations please consult the UW-Madison Libraries Citation Research Guide to ensure compliance with appropriate style guidelines.
Access Property Records
Some properties have more materials (correspondence, clippings, historical information, etc.) not in the digital record. If a 'Site File' exists, it's noted in the 'Additional Comments' field. Contact us for an appointment to view these materials.
RIVERSIDE PARK W END OF STATE ST
33983
Located in La Crosse, La Crosse County
NORTH END OF RIVERSIDE PARK
22899
Located in La Crosse, La Crosse County
Levee Park
1900
A drawing of Levee Park in La Crosse, with the Mississippi River in the foreground, and La Crosse in the background.




