Waseca in Waseca County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Trowbridge Park Bandstand

1915

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 3, 2022

1. Trowbridge Park Bandstand Marker

Inscription.
The bandstand, erected and dedicated in 1915, stands in memory of Ira C. Trowbridge, founder of Waseca. Ella Ward and Augusta Jenkins, his daughters, provided funds to build the bandstand in Trowbridge Park (formerly City Park) as a memorial to their father and to further the cultural activities of the city. The 28’ by 20’ bandstand, costing about $1,500, is built of stuccoed concrete and absolutely fireproof. The design is distinctive with a band platform enclosed by high, solid walls and a tin roof cast to resemble clay tiles. The basement was divided into toilet rooms, a storeroom, and a confectionery stand.

The park and bandstand were initially popular gathering places on Sunday nights. As technology advanced, however, residents often chose to listen to music on the radio at home or attend “juke joints” around Clear Lake. By the 1950’s the bandstand was rarely used and began to fall into decline.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Entertainment • Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1915.

Location. 44° 4.873′ N, 93° 30.396′ W.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Marker is in Waseca, Minnesota, in Waseca County. It can be reached from North State Street (State Highway 13) just north of 4th Avenue Northeast, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located on the east side of Trowbridge Park, near the southwest corner of the subject bandstand. Trowbridge Park is on the west side of the Waseca Public Library, about 40 yards east of North State Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 408 North State Street, Waseca MN 56093, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least one other marker is within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Memorial Park (approx. 1.1 miles away).

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 3, 2022

2. Trowbridge Park Bandstand Marker

(looking west • Trowbridge Park Bandstand in background)

Trowbridge Park Bandstand Cornerstone image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 3, 2022

3. Trowbridge Park Bandstand Cornerstone

(located at southwest corner of bandstand)
Erected 1915
In memory of
Ira C. Trowbridge
Founder of Waseca
A.D. 1867

Trowbridge Park Bandstand (<i>southwest elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 3, 2022

4. Trowbridge Park Bandstand (southwest elevation)

Trowbridge Park Bandstand (<i>southeast elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 3, 2022

5. Trowbridge Park Bandstand (southeast elevation)

Trowbridge Park Bandstand (<i>interior panorama</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 3, 2022

6. Trowbridge Park Bandstand (interior panorama)

(looking west across Trowbridge Park)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 16, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 2,953 times since then and 82 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 16, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.