Sarge Boyd Bandshell

Sarge Boyd Bandshell
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location:	Owen Park 501 First Avenue Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Coordinates:	44°48′19″N 91°29′58″W / 44.80528°N 91.49944°W / 44.80528; -91.49944Coordinates: 44°48′19″N 91°29′58″W / 44.80528°N 91.49944°W / 44.80528; -91.49944
Area:	less than one acre
Built:	1938
Architect:	Alex Garnock
Architectural style:	Art Deco
Governing body:	Local
NRHP Reference#:	03000896[1]
Added to NRHP:	September 02, 2003

Donald I. "Sarge" Boyd, award-winning band director and conductor of the Eau Claire Municipal Band (1934-80).

A project of the Works Progress Administration, the bandshell took 111 man months and cost $10,000.

The Sarge Boyd Bandshell of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, 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 Alex Garnock for the purpose of showcasing the Eau Claire Municipal Band. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003 as the Owen Park Bandshell.

According to Garnock, "The City at this present time has no bandshell, but has an excellent City Band organization attracting good attendances."^{[citation needed][when?]}

Built in 1938, it was a project of the Works Progress Administration 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, has been used for weddings, church services, speeches, plays, movies, festivals, fairs, and other types of public gatherings.

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.^[2]

The Municipal Band's free weekly concerts at the Sarge Boyd Bandshell in Owen Park have been a major summertime attraction for many years.

Notes

1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2009-03-13. http://nrhp.focus.nps.gov/natreg/docs/All_Data.html. 
2. ^ Tim Stein (August 6, 1992), "Bandshell to be Dedicated to `Sarge' Boyd," Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, Page 24