Lamar Community Center

United States historic place

Lamar Community Center

U.S. National Register of Historic Places

Lamar Community Center

Location| St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin
Built| 1905
Architectural style| American Craftsman
NRHP reference No.| 82001860
Added to NRHP| 1 March 1982

The Lamar Community Center is located at 1488 200th Street in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on 1 March 1982.[1]

## History

[edit]

The town of Lamar was a small but thriving settlement on the Clam Falls Trail. Records show the settlement contained a creamery, post office, church,[2] general store, charcoal kiln, and a brickyard, all surrounded by numerous farms, most of which raised potatoes. In 1905 the inhabitants joined forces to erect a one-room craftsman-style building with an Italianate tower, for use as an all-grades schoolhouse.[3]

In 1910 a second room was added to the building,[4] on the south face of the building. The original construction was set at ground level, with an open porch at the entrance. In 1926 the structure was raised, and a block foundation was set underneath. An enclosed entryway with a wide stairwell was added to allow access.

After the turn of the century, a railroad pushed into the area, bypassing Lamar and drawing commerce toward Centuria, Wisconsin, 8 km northeast of Lamar. The settlement's commercial activities gradually declined and closed. The school continued to function into the 1940s. It closed in 1945,[5] after which its space was used for community functions.

By 2013, several sources of grant money had been finalized, and the building was refurbished and restored.[6] This work was completed by August 2014.[7]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Lamar Community Center". Landmark Hunter.com. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
2. ^ The Lamar Chapel stood east of the Lamar schoolhouse; it was shared by Presbyterian and Lutheran congregations.
3. ^ "History". Lamar Community.org. Archived from the original on 9 December 2013. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
4. ^ The plan for the addition was provided by Ehrman Ferris, a resident of the area.
5. ^ [1] Archived 13 July 2015 at the Wayback Machine 13 January 2012 press release, Lamar Community Center
6. ^ [2] Archived 13 July 2015 at the Wayback Machine September 2013 press release, Lamar Community Center Restoration of the Lamar School Begins September 2013
7. ^ "Lamar Community Center | Historic Gathering Space | Event Rental Polk County WI". Archived from the original on 9 December 2013. Retrieved 28 May 2013. August 2014 video presentation, Lamar Community Center, Building Restoration Recently Completed

45°25′26″N 92°34′10″W﻿ / ﻿45.42389°N 92.56944°W﻿ / 45.42389; -92.56944
*[No.]: number