Danes Hall facts for kids
The Danes Hall in Waupaca, Wisconsin is a really old and important building. It was built way back in 1894! It was a special place for a group called the Danes Home Society. People used it as a clubhouse, a meeting spot, and even a place for shows. Upstairs, there's a big dance hall with a balcony. This cool building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. That means it's officially recognized as a historic landmark!
Quick facts for kids |
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Danes Hall
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Danes Hall
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 Location in Wisconsin
Location in the United States
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| Location | 303 N. Main St., Waupaca, Wisconsin |
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| Area | 0.1 acres (0.040 ha) |
| Built | 1894 |
| Architect | Waters, William |
| Architectural style | Romanesque |
| NRHP reference No. | 80000209 |
| Added to NRHP | January 17, 1980 |
Contents
The Story of Danes Hall
How It All Started
The Danes Hall was created by eleven members of a Danish club. This happened on January 6, 1877. The group grew quite large, reaching 300 members! They even had a library with over 1000 books.
In the winter of 1876-1877, many men in Waupaca needed a place to gather. They wanted a friendly spot for companionship and fun. A group of community members decided to help.
Lars Larson, William Bendixen, and Nels Larson from Waupaca, along with A.P. Larson from Farmington, started collecting pledges. When 12 people signed up, they rented a room. The first meeting was held on January 6, 1877. Each person paid 50 cents, and "The Danes Home" was born!
This first meeting place was later destroyed by fire. The Danes Home (also known as De Danske Hjem) was the first club of its kind. It focused on social gatherings and learning. In 1882, it officially became a corporation under Wisconsin law.
Rules of the Club
The club created rules and officially chose the name "The Danes Home." The rules said that any male born to Danish parents could join. They had to be 18 years or older. They also needed to be able to read and speak Danish.
It was very important that no gambling or alcohol was allowed inside the building. This made it a safe and welcoming place for everyone. Later, the Danes Home Society even offered insurance for members who were sick or couldn't work.
The first leaders of the club included Hans Yorkson as president. A. Rasmussen was vice president, and George Nelson was the librarian.
Finding a Permanent Home
The Danes Home rented three different places before buying their own building. First, they were upstairs in the F. Peterson building. Then, they moved above the post office. This building later burned down.
Next, they were above Matt Jensen's market on North Main Street. They stayed there until November 14, 1882. That's when they bought the old courthouse building! The courthouse was being moved to make space for a new one.
The old courthouse cost $275. The Danes Home Society had already bought land for $600. Moving the building cost more money. In total, their new home cost $1,300.
Within five years, they had paid off their debt. They even had extra money and 560 books in their library! This wooden building served the club until 1894. Then, they sold it and moved it again. It was finally taken down in 1965.
Building the Grand Hall
The Danes Hall you see today was built in 1894. It stands on the corner of Main and Granite Streets. A famous architect named William Waters designed it. He was very respected at the time. The building plans were drawn by Peter Jensen, who used to live in Waupaca.
Construction of this three-story brick building started in August 1894. It was finished quickly, by November 22, 1894. The new building cost $7,000 to build.
The dedication ceremony was held on November 29, 1894. About 400 people attended! The local newspaper said the building was "brilliantly illuminated" with electric lights. It was also decorated with flowers and flags. Everyone enjoyed the music, dancing, and supper.
The newspaper described the building in detail. The main entrance had three doors leading to a lobby. From there, two more doors opened to the assembly hall. There was also a ladies' parlor, a smoking room, and a ticket office.
At the back, a wide stairway led to the dance hall. This was a great space where many couples could dance easily. For lectures or shows, it could hold 300 chairs. Another 200 chairs could be placed in the balcony above.
For many years, the Danes Home was the largest meeting place in Waupaca. The ballroom was used by the Waupaca National Guard for drills. Waupaca High School also held many graduation ceremonies there.
New Chapters for Danes Hall
During the 1930s and early 1940s, fewer people joined the Danes Home Society. By 1945, the building was sold. The Waupaca County Post newspaper reported the sale on March 8, 1945. Henry Bille, a local tinsmith, bought the building.
In June 1975, Mr. Bille sold the building to a law firm. But he kept his business there until April 1977. Then, he moved his business to King.
The building was sold again, and the new owners began to restore it. On January 17, 1980, it was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places. After this, the building became a successful "antique mall." Many antique dealers sold their items there. The ballroom and other floors were divided into display areas. The antique business closed in 2015.
The current owners, Danes Hall L.L.C., bought the empty building in August 2016. They plan to restore it to its original beauty. They want it to be a community landmark and social hall once more!
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