The Sarge Boyd Bandshell of

Eau Claire, Wisconsin Eau Claire (; ) (French for "clear water") is a city mostly located in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin, of which it is the county seat, and with a small portion in Chippewa County, Wisconsin. It had a population of 69,421 in 2020, making it the stat ...

, United States, as home to the city's oldest community musical organization, has played a significant role in the cultural development of the entire Chippewa Valley. The structure was designed by city engineer Alexander Garnock for the purpose of showcasing the Eau Claire Municipal Band. Although its official name is the Donald I. "Sarge" Boyd Bandshell, it was listed on the

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic v ...

in 2003 as the Owen Park Bandshell.

History

Built in 1938, it was a project of the

Works Progress Administration The Works Progress Administration (WPA; renamed in 1939 as the Work Projects Administration) was an American New Deal agency that employed millions of jobseekers (mostly men who were not formally educated) to carry out public works projects, i ...

costing $10,000 and taking 111 man months to complete. In addition to the Municipal Band concerts, the historic bandshell, which has often been described as the "centerpiece" of

Owen Park Owen may refer to: Origin: The name Owen is of Irish and Welsh origin. Its meanings range from noble, youthful, and well-born. Gender: Owen is historically the masculine form of the name. Popular feminine variations include Eowyn and Owena. ...

, has been used for weddings, church services, speeches, plays, movies, festivals, fairs, and other types of public gatherings. Since 2009 the Chippewa Valley Blues Society has hosted the Tuesday Night Blues concert series at the bandshell from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 1992 it was dedicated to master showman :Donald I. "Sarge" Boyd whose half century of musical contributions to the city have had a profound impact on virtually everyone who worked under his direction.Tim Stein (August 6, 1992), "Bandshell to be Dedicated to `Sarge' Boyd," ''Eau Claire Leader-Telegram,'' Page 24

Notes

{{commonscat, Sarge Boyd Bandshell Buildings and structures in Eau Claire, Wisconsin Music venues in Wisconsin Theatres on the National Register of Historic Places in Wisconsin Works Progress Administration in Wisconsin National Register of Historic Places in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin