Fifield Town Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Fifield Town Hall
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Fifield Town Hall
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| Location | Fifield, Wisconsin |
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| Built | 1894 |
| Architect | Theodore Ristin |
| NRHP reference No. | 78000339 |
| Added to NRHP | February 17, 1978 |
The Fifield Town Hall is an important building in Fifield, Wisconsin. It was built in 1894 and served as the center for local government and community life. Because of its history, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. This means it is a special place worth protecting.
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History of Fifield Town Hall
Fifield was started in 1876. It grew where the Wisconsin Central Railroad crossed the Flambeau River. This area was in a large northern forest. Logging was a very big business, and many people moved to Fifield.
The town built its first town hall in 1882. However, a big fire in 1893 destroyed it. The fire also burned down about 60 other buildings in Fifield's main business area.
Rebuilding After the Fire
After the fire, the town quickly rebuilt. In the spring of 1894, they built the current town hall. It was designed by a carpenter named Theodore Ristin. The new building had the same size as the old one.
A Center for the Community
The Fifield Town Hall was more than just a government office. It was a busy place for everyone in the town.
Government and Public Services
The hall held all the local government activities. It had a special room for the town clerk, which included a strong vault for important papers. There was even a small jail with two cells.
Community Gatherings and Events
Many different groups used the hall for meetings. Organizations like the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) and the Red Cross met there. The hall also hosted many fun social events.
People came to see local plays and lectures. Graduations were held there, and traveling shows would perform. The upstairs area was even called the "opera house" and was used for dances. Important town elections took place here. Public announcements, like when voting ended, were made from the front balcony.
From Town Hall to Museum
In 1966, a new town hall was built in Fifield. People thought about tearing down the old hall. But instead, they decided to save it.
The old hall was restored and given a new purpose. Today, it is the Price County Historical Society Museum. The historical society of Price County, Wisconsin runs the museum. It helps people learn about the history of Fifield and the surrounding area.
