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Summary
Hazel Green Town Hall
2130 North Main Street, Hazel Green, Grant County
Builder/Designer: William A. Hocking
Date of Construction: 1891
Back in the day when all entertainment was live, even the smallest communities had some sort of building where theatrical and musical events could take place. An example is the small, clapboard-clad Hazel Green Town Hall. Although simple in design, the Hall is an intact example of a late Victorian multi-purpose building constructed to house both the office of the Town Clerk and a small municipal auditorium for public events.
The auditorium of the town hall is known as the Hazel Green Opera House. The space has a raised stage framed by a proscenium arch and a backstage area, allowing the room to be used for theatrical productions. From the time the building opened until the 1920s, the auditorium was used for civic meetings, religious services, commencements, and traveling entertainment. A more unusual use of the space was as the town's jail. As needed, a collapsible cage was set up in the middle of the room.
Built in 1891 for just over $1500, the building is an example of "Boom Town" architecture. The "Boom Town" features a large false façade fronting a smaller gable fronted building. The larger front façade gives the building street prominence and a more urban appearance with its tall cornice supported by decorative brackets.
Almost no changes were made to the building until the 1960s when the interior was remodeled with paneled walls and dropped ceilings. These changes were reversed and the building restored to its original appearance in the 1980s.
The building is private property. Please respect the privacy of the owners.
Property Details
| Criteria | Event,Architecture/Engineering |
|---|---|
| Area Of Significance | Architecture,Entertainment/Recreation,Politics/Government |
| Period of Significance | 1900-1924,1875-1899 |
| Architectural Style | Other |
| Architect | Hocking,William A. |
| Resource Type | Building |
| Historic Use | Theater,Music Facility,City Hall |
Resources Within The Property
| Contributing Buildings | 1 |
|---|---|
| Contributing Sites | 0 |
| Contributing Structures | 0 |
| Contributing Objects | 0 |
| Non-Contributing Buildings | 0 |
| Non-Contributing Sites | 0 |
| Non-Contributing Structures | 0 |
| Non-Contributing Objects | 0 |
Designations
| Historic Status | Listed in the National Register |
|---|---|
| National Historic Landmark Listing Date | Jan 26, 1989 |
State & National Registers of Historic Places
The State Register and National Register recognize buildings, sites, districts, structures, and objects that are significant in national, state, or local history. The State Historic Preservation Office in conjunction with the National Park Service maintains the list for Wisconsin and makes the data available to the public for research and education.
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