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

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

45°25′26″N 92°34′10″W / 45.42389°N 92.56944°W / 45.42389; -92.56944