About this property
The Southport Beach House is a historic public building completed in 1940 at Southport Park on Lake Michigan in Kenosha, Wisconsin. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. Kenosha had aimed to develop an extensive park and beach system ever since the Kenosha Park Association formed in 1906. By 1922, most of the land that would become part of the Kenosha parks system had been donated by wealthy residents. However, outside of Library Park, this land was largely undeveloped until the Great Depression of the 1930s, when many of Kenosha's industrial workers found themselves without work. One of the New Deal programs, the Works Progress Administration, offered funds for municipalities seeking to develop public park projects. Kenosha successfully received grants for re-purposing building materials from condemned buildings into park structures, and employed over 1000 workmen in the project. The use of re-purposed materials caused the resulting beach house to enjoy a mix of contemporary architectural styles and revivals. The exterior blends Tudor Revival details with an overarching Mediterranean Revival theme. Marble and stone from an old post office was used to create an Art Deco ballroom, featuring the geometric ornamentation common to the style. The Southport Beach House remains open to the public for events, although it no longer functions a beach house. On January 8, 2003, the building was recognized by the National Park Service with a listing on the National Register of Historic Places. It was damaged in the June 2012 North American derecho, casting doubt on its long-term viability. National Register of Historic Places listings in Kenosha County, Wisconsin
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Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).
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Everything a full report reveals about Southport Beach House
This page lists Southport Beach House. A full Aubrey report for an address near it pulls together this listing alongside battlefield records, land patents, and every other historical record within a chosen radius:
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Questions about this property
When was Southport Beach House listed on the National Register?
Southport Beach House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on January 8, 2003.
What type of historic resource is Southport Beach House?
Southport Beach House is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.
What is the period of significance for Southport Beach House?
The period of significance for Southport Beach House is recorded as the industrial era, specifically around 1940.
Can I research the history near Southport Beach House?
Yes. Aubrey Research reports search National Register listings, battlefield records, land patents, and other primary historical sources within any radius of a US address. A report for an address near Southport Beach House will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.
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