Fifield Town Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Fifield Town Hall
|
|
Fifield Town Hall
|
|
| Location | Fifield, Wisconsin |
|---|---|
| Built | 1894 |
| Architect | Theodore Ristin |
| NRHP reference No. | 78000339 |
| Added to NRHP | February 17, 1978 |
The Fifield Town Hall is an old and important building in Fifield, Wisconsin. It was built way back in 1894. This building is so special that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. This means it's recognized as a very important historical place in the United States.
Contents
The Story of Fifield Town Hall
How Fifield Began
The town of Fifield started in 1876. It was a busy place where the Wisconsin Central Railroad crossed the Flambeau River. This area was in a huge northern forest. Logging was a very big business here, and many people moved to Fifield. Because of this, the town grew quickly.
Rebuilding After a Big Fire
Fifield built its first town hall in 1882. But in 1893, a terrible fire swept through the town. It burned down the entire business district, including 60 buildings and the town hall. The very next spring, the people of Fifield started to rebuild. They built the current town hall with the same size as the old one. A carpenter named Theodore Ristin led the building project.
More Than Just a Government Office
When it was first built, the town hall was the center of local government. It had a special room for the town clerk with a strong vault. It even had a small jail with two cells!
But the hall was used for much more than just government work. It was a true community hub. Many groups met there, like the VFW (a veterans' organization) and the Red Cross. It also hosted fun social events. People would come for local plays, school graduations, and interesting lectures. Traveling shows and even old-fashioned medicine shows would perform there. The upstairs area was called the "opera house" and was a popular spot for dances. Elections were also held here, and important announcements were made from the front balcony.
From Town Hall to Museum Today
In 1966, a new town hall was built in Fifield. For a while, people thought about tearing down the old building. But instead, they decided to save and restore it. Today, the old Fifield Town Hall is home to the Price County Historical Society Museum. The historical society of Price County, Wisconsin now runs the museum. It helps people learn about the history of the area.
