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Summary
Mellen City Hall
Bennett and Main streets
Mellen, Ashland County
Architect: Henry Wildhagen
Date of Construction: 1896
City Hall is an imposing presence in the small town of Mellen, where its central location symbolizes its local importance. An octagonal bell tower, whose ogee-arched open belfry, enclosed with a turned wood balustrade, houses an operable bell.
Mellen City Hall was the first building in the community to house city government offices such as civic, fire and police. It was also the focus of many social, educational and cultural events in the large open second floor room called the "Opera House." In 1927 a local woodsman helped establish a community library here that has since occupied the building.
The city hall appeared in a 20th Century Fox movie, Hemingway's Adventures as a Young Man, released in 1962. It was selected as a location for this film adaptation of Hemingway's semi-autobiographical "Nick Adams" stories because of its Midwest village charm.
The building continues operate as city hall. It also houses the Mellen Historical Museum, open during regular hours.
Property Details
| Criteria | Event |
|---|---|
| Area Of Significance | Politics/Government,Social History |
| Period of Significance | 1875-1899 |
| Architectural Style | Queen Anne |
| Architect | Asselstine,H.,Wildhagen & Reteauhaus |
| Resource Type | Building |
| Historic Use | 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 | Sep 20, 1979 |
| Historic Status | Listed in the State Register |
| National Historic Landmark Listing Date | Jan 1, 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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Email UsAttribution
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BENNET AVE, E, 102, AT MAIN ST, NE CNR
939
Located in Mellen, Ashland County
207 West Blackhawk Avenue
02001186
Located in Prairie du Chien, Crawford County
105 N. Dickason St.
79000065
Located in Columbus, Columbia County
601 West Second St.
74000054
Located in Ashland, Ashland County
