National Register of Historic Places listings in Marinette County, Wisconsin facts for kids

Location of Marinette County in Wisconsin

Have you ever wondered about the old buildings and special places in your community? Many places have a rich history, and some are so important that they are added to a special list called the National Register of Historic Places. This list helps protect and celebrate buildings, sites, and objects that have played a big part in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture.

In Marinette County, Wisconsin, there are 12 amazing places that have been added to this important list. These sites tell stories about the people, events, and changes that have shaped the county over many years. Let's explore some of these fascinating historic spots!

Exploring Marinette County's Historic Places

Amberg Town Hall: A Community Hub

The Amberg Town Hall is a beautiful old building located in Amberg, Wisconsin. It was built in 1894 and designed by Charles Maass, an architect from Marinette. The building has a special look called the Queen Anne style, which was popular for its decorative details.

This town hall was more than just an office. It had a jail, a clerk's office, and a large community hall. People used the hall for all sorts of fun events, like live shows, Christmas plays, meetings, dances, and even basketball games! It was truly the heart of the community for many years.

The historic Amberg Town Hall.

Bijou Theatre Building: From Vaudeville to Movies

The Bijou Theatre Building stands on Main Street in Marinette, Wisconsin. Built in 1905, this grand building shows off the Classical Revival style, which uses ideas from ancient Greek and Roman buildings.

It was first built for Frank Lauerman as both a department store and a vaudeville theater. Vaudeville was a popular type of entertainment with many different acts, like singers, dancers, and comedians. As movies became more popular, the Bijou Theatre changed too. It was turned into a movie theater, where people could watch the latest films.

Mary and Harry Brown House: A Senator's Daughter's Home

The Mary and Harry Brown House is a lovely home on Riverside Avenue in Marinette, Wisconsin. It was built in 1885 for Mary, the daughter of Isaac Stephenson, who was a very important lumber businessman and a Senator.

The house was first built in the fancy Queen Anne style. But later, in the 1920s, it was updated to look more like the popular Tudor Revival style. This style often features steep roofs and decorative half-timbering, making it look like old English homes. The house sits along the beautiful Menominee River.

The Mary and Harry Brown House.

Chautauqua Grounds Site: Ancient History Unearthed

The Chautauqua Grounds Site in Marinette, Wisconsin, is a very special place, but its exact location is kept secret to protect it. This site is an archaeological site that tells us about the ancient past.

It is part of the Old Copper Culture, which refers to a group of Native American people who lived in this area thousands of years ago. These early people were known for using copper to make tools and other items. Finding sites like this helps historians and archaeologists learn more about how people lived long, long ago.

Image indicating an address-restricted site.

Dunlap Square Building: A Busy Business Block

The Dunlap Square Building is another historic spot on Hall Street in Marinette, Wisconsin. This building was constructed between 1890 and 1902 and also features the Queen Anne style.

Over the years, this busy building has been home to many different businesses. It has housed a drug store, a saloon (a type of bar), a telephone exchange (where phone calls were connected), various restaurants, shops, and many different offices. It was a central place for business and services in Marinette.

The Dunlap Square Building.

Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge: A Historic Meeting Place

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows-Lodge No. 189 Building is located on Main Street in Marinette, Wisconsin. This two-story brick building was built in 1889.

It served as a lodge for the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which is a fraternal organization. These groups are like clubs where members support each other and work together for good causes in their community. This building was a place where members could meet, hold events, and carry out their charitable work.

Lena Road School: A Classic One-Room Schoolhouse

The Lena Road School is a simple, classic one-room schoolhouse located near Pound, Wisconsin. It was built in 1911 by local farmers in the area.

This school served as a place of learning for children until 1959. Imagine all the students who learned to read, write, and do arithmetic within its walls! It's a great example of the traditional one-room schoolhouses that were once common across rural America. It is also known as the Kena Road School on the National Register.

The Lena Road Schoolhouse.

Lauerman Brothers Department Store: A Shopping Landmark

The Lauerman Brothers Department Store complex is a large and important group of buildings on Dunlap Square in Marinette, Wisconsin. This store was the main location for a chain of department stores that spread across several states, all starting in Marinette.

The complex includes an early building in the Italianate style, which is known for its tall, narrow windows and decorative cornices. The main department store building was built between 1904 and 1924 in the Chicago Commercial style, a style known for its steel-frame construction and large windows. There's also a warehouse built in 1920. This store was a major shopping destination for many years.

The Lauerman Brothers Department Store.

F.J. Lauerman House: The "House of Flowers"

The F.J. Lauerman House is a beautiful home on State Street in Marinette, Wisconsin. It was built in 1901 for Frank Lauerman, who was involved with the famous department store.

This house was designed in the Spanish Colonial Revival style, which often features stucco walls, red tile roofs, and decorative ironwork, inspired by Spanish architecture. Frank Lauerman himself called his home Casa del Flores, which means "House of Flowers" in Spanish.

Milwaukee Road Depot: A Train Station's Story

The Milwaukee Road Depot is an old train station located on Hattie Street in Marinette, Wisconsin. It was built in 1903 by the Milwaukee Road company.

This depot is built in the Stick style, an architectural style that uses exposed wooden framework to create decorative patterns on the outside of the building. When it was first built, the station had separate waiting rooms for men and women, which was common at the time. This depot played a key role in connecting Marinette to other cities by rail.

The Milwaukee Road Depot in Marinette.

Peshtigo Fire Cemetery: Remembering a Great Fire

The Peshtigo Fire Cemetery is a solemn and important place in Peshtigo, Wisconsin. It is located on Oconto Avenue. This cemetery holds the graves of victims from the terrible Peshtigo Fire of 1871.

The Peshtigo Fire was one of the deadliest wildfires in American history, happening on the same day as the Great Chicago Fire. Many people in Peshtigo lost their lives. The cemetery includes a mass grave for about 300 men, women, and children who could not be identified after the fire. It serves as a powerful reminder of this tragic event.

The Peshtigo Fire Cemetery.

Peshtigo Reef Light: Guiding Ships in Green Bay

The Peshtigo Reef Light is a lighthouse located offshore in the lower part of Green Bay, near Peshtigo Point. It was built in 1936.

This lighthouse was built to warn ships about a dangerous shoal (a shallow area of water) that extends about three miles from the mouth of the Peshtigo River. Before this lighthouse was built, a special marker called a daymark was used from 1869 to 1906. Then, a lightship (a ship with a light on it) guided vessels from 1906 until the current lighthouse was completed in 1936. Lighthouses like this are crucial for keeping boats and ships safe on the water.