Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1913-11-04
of thousands and great center of in
land trade and commerce. y

/
lie library; to our substantial bus
mess Institutions and our homes in
answer TO that toast framed over
fifty years ago. Mr.. Bird closed by
saying ssIf we serve our day and
generation as they did theirs, and
build the future as well as they laid
the foundations, then the future city
of WauSau, when our successors come
to found the next new city hall after
this has been outgroWn, will be as
much beyond our present city as the
Icity of today is beyond the village
which most of us never saw
| A poem written on the city hall
by f. j. kifleman was read by Ray
mond Guenther and the Wansau
Liederkranz sang another number,
which closed an event which was i'm
portant and successful as any in the
history of our city.
CITY HALL.
! Wausau has had a city hall for
nearly thirty years. 1t was placed
down near the river, on Washington
street, for many reasons, chief of
which were the gifts made in the
way of the bell and clock which were
placed in the tower by prominent
citizens, and for the further reason
that it was then thought TO be the
best place on which to build it, be-
cause of its convenience TO all parts
Of the city. When this public build
ing was completed it was thought to
be very handsome structure, and
there were elaborate ceremonies at its
dedication. This city hall has
answered all purposes but the great
objection for many years has been its
close proximity to the railroad and
switch tracks There is much switch
| ing going on in that neighborhood
during day times and with the ring
ing Of bells and footing of whistles, it
has been very great annoyance. The
| question of erecting new city hall
on the ground owned by the city, at
the south end of Third street, was
commenced to be agitated some six
or seven years ago, and the more it
was talked about the stronger the
sentiment grew that the city hall
should be built and should be placed
at the south end of the principal
business thoroughfare of our city
Third street.
1t had been delayed several years
on account of lack of funds. The city
council was 10th to expend so large
an amount without an expression of
the people and at a special election
for same purpose, the question was
also submitted" -"Shall the city hall
be built now ?" 1t was carried by
large vote and then there was no
lalgely in favor of the new building.
The contract was let in the fall of
1911 and the beautiful building was
completed last month, and dedicated
as above on the evening of Oct. 3lst.
Imagine yourself standing on Third
street, looking south, the new city
hall fills up the entire south end Of
the street, as it takes up space of
93x73 feet. Its height is so feet from
the basement.
1t is built of solid brick with a
frame of steel reinforced concrete.
All of the exposed walls are of grey,
hydraulic pressed brick, 1t is set
back ninety feet from Forest
street and is approached by gradually
rising cement walks. The main steps
to the front entrance are of Marathon
county red granite, surmounted by
ornamental bronze standards and each
adorned with four large globes in
which are strong electric lights.
These are very attractive.
Its imposing front, as the reader
may judge by looking at the picture
herewith printed-and handsome
style of architecture, adds greatly to
the beauty of south Third street, and
as it occupies prominent place it
will be seen and admired by every
body and therefore prove a great
factor in the progressiveness of our
people.
Going to and up the granite
steps of the new building, into the
vestibule, we find this bronze tablet,
which gives, in handsome lettering,
the names of those who were actively
engaged in looking after the construc-
tion of the building:
Mayor
JOHN RINGLE
Building Committee
F. c. MoHR
W. j. WEIsBRoD