Property Record
W DAVENPORT ST
Architecture and History Inventory
Historic Name: | |
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Other Name: | Hodag Lightposts |
Contributing: | |
Reference Number: | 81336 |
Location (Address): | W DAVENPORT ST |
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County: | Oneida |
City: | Rhinelander |
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Year Built: | 1950 |
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Additions: | |
Survey Date: | 1995 |
Historic Use: | object |
Architectural Style: | NA (unknown or not a building) |
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Demolished?: | No |
Demolished Date: |
National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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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. |
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Bibliographic References: |
Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |