W DAVENPORT ST | Property Record | Wisconsin Historical Society

Property Record

W DAVENPORT ST

Architecture and History Inventory
W DAVENPORT ST | Property Record | Wisconsin Historical Society
NAMES
Historic Name:
Other Name:Hodag Lightposts
Contributing:
Reference Number:81336
PROPERTY LOCATION
Location (Address):W DAVENPORT ST
County:Oneida
City:Rhinelander
Township/Village:
Unincorporated Community:
Town:
Range:
Direction:
Section:
Quarter Section:
Quarter/Quarter Section:
PROPERTY FEATURES
Year Built:1950
Additions:
Survey Date:1995
Historic Use:object
Architectural Style:NA (unknown or not a building)
Structural System:
Wall Material:
Architect:
Other Buildings On Site:
Demolished?:No
Demolished Date:
NATIONAL AND STATE REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
National/State Register Listing Name:Not listed
National Register Listing Date:
State Register Listing Date:
NOTES
Additional Information:Replica of the mythical hodag in molded plastic mounted on lightposts at the second story height of commercial buildings.
West Davenport between Stevens and Brown Streets Hodag Lightpost
There are three lightposts in the block of West Davenport Street between Stevens and Brown
Streets. On one of these, at second-story level, there is a plastic ornament depicting the mythical
"Hodag," symbol of Rhinelander, dating from 1950 (Mead and Hunt, Incorporated, "Historic
Property Reconnaissance Survey," May 1996, p. 29). This commemorates the prank perpetrated
by Rhinelander pioneer, Eugene S. Shepard (1854-1923). In 1896, Shepard claimed to have
discovered a seven-foot creature with two horns, spikes along its spine, and sharp-clawed feet.
Shepard displayed the creature, made by wood-carver Luke Kearney, "at county fairs in a dimly
lighted tent, controlling its movements with wires" (Oneida County: 1887-1987, p. 43). In 1973,
a state historical marker explaining this legend was erected near the entrance to Rhinelander's
Hodag park.
Bibliographic References:
RECORD LOCATION
Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin

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