Property Record
RIVERSIDE PARK W END OF STATE ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Levee Park |
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| Other Name: | Riverside Park |
| Contributing: | |
| Reference Number: | 33985 |
| Location (Address): | RIVERSIDE PARK W END OF STATE ST |
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| County: | La Crosse |
| City: | La Crosse |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
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| Year Built: | 1911 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 19962017 |
| 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: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| National Register Listing Date: | |
| State Register Listing Date: |
| 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. 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. |
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| Bibliographic References: | John Nolen, "The Making of a Park System, La Crosse" (n. p. 1911) |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |