Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1905-05-24
Outdoor Art Association
Would Beautify City.

During the past ten years Increased
attention has been given to outdoor art
in cities in Wisconsin and in neig hbor-
ing states. The work has progressed
with such vigor that today many cities
are priding themselves on their beauti-
full surroundings, and on the strength
of this are inviting people to locate in
their midst. In many instances lack
of attention and interest had allowed
unsightly objects to remain on side
streets and in back yards. These have
been removed and civic pride is appar-
ent everywhere. In many places out
door art associations have been organ
lied and through them much more has
been accomplished than could other
wise have been expected. AS rule
every citizen possesses enough pride
to have his premises as attractive and
slightly as his neighbours. If his atten-
tion is directed to inexpensive altera-
tions that may make it so, he is only
too willing to make the changes and
thereby not only beautify his own yard
but add much to the attractiveness of
the city in which he lives. Oconomo-
voc has the reputation of being very
beautiful city, not because Of what ma
hoo for h1,f Of {ho
many beautiful lawns which have been
made and cared for by the citizens, rich
and poor alike. Dodgeville, a small
city in Iowa county, bears the distinc-
tion of having the most beautiful
school grounds in the state. Only
few weeks ago the school board of JEFF
ferson hired a landscape gardner to
advise and plan how to beautify the
school grounds in that city.
Is it not time for the citizens of Wa
tertown to think along these linesP
Last fall at a meeting of citizens. called
for the purpose of stimulating action
pointed to devise plans by means of
which out door Improvements mig ht
be encouraged. This committee still
exists and it asks the cooperation of
every citizen in it's endeavor to make
improvements along the lines IN which
other cities have become more beauti-
full and more attractive. The commit
tee has deemed it wise to form an as
sociation in order to get a greater
number interested in the work. The
organization will be known as the Wa
tertown Outdoor Art association. 1t
shall aim to give an added impulse to
the civic pride of every citizen of Wa
tertown, and to work in harmony with
the city and its officials.
The one great natural beauty of our
city, the Rock river, has been neglected.
So much might be done by the public
spirited men of the city to make the
outlook on the river from our bridges
a joy and inspiration to every man,
woman and child who cross them daily.
Believing strongly that every effort
made to supplant what is unsightly and
going to decay with that which is
slightly and beautiful makes for higher
citizenship. the association asks for
the cooperation of all who are inter-
ested in this work. The special inter
est Of the teachers of all the public
schools is sought by the association.
Much has been accom- plished in
other towns on the Rock River and in
other towns in the state for the public
school grounds. A friendly rivalry
between the different schools as to
which have the best kept grounds.
is an incentive to work, each for his
own school, and that work would prove
all education in building up character
and in a love for order and beauty.
1t pays to beautify a city. What is
done to beautify a municipality be-
comes the property of all the people.
The things which have brought into