Waverly in Wright County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Waverly Village Hall
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 2, 2022
1. Waverly Village Hall Marker
is listed in the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Charity & Public Work • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1939.
Location. 45° 4.01′ N, 93° 58.031′ W. Marker is in Waverly, Minnesota, in Wright County. Marker is at the intersection of South 4th Street (County Highway 62) and Atlantic Avenue, on the right when traveling south on South 4th Street. Marker is mounted at eye-level, directly on the subject building, just to the right of the east/front entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 South 4th Street, Waverly MN 55390, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Hubert H. Humphrey Memorial (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Veterans Memorial (about 600 feet away); Howard Lake City Hall (approx. 5.1 miles away); Wright County Centennial Elm Tree (approx. 5.4 miles away); The Dustin Massacre (approx. 6.6 miles away); Watertown Pioneer Days
this page online
Regarding Waverly Village Hall. National Register of Historic Places #02000613.
from the National Register nomination:
The Waverly Village Hall is associated with the context of Federal Relief Construction in Minnesota and is an example of the modern municipal facilities made possible by the Federal relief programs of the New Deal. Without the funding and manpower offered by the New Deal, it is likely that the construction of such a substantial building would have been delayed until at least the post-war era. The building became the social focal point of the community.The Waverly Village Hall is also architecturally significant as an example of the Moderne style. It is characterized by a formal and symmetrical design with smooth, flat surfaces organized into rectangular panels, and includes a number of typical Moderne style details such as engaged piers, fluted bands, zigzag panels, and corner fins. The construction methods and building materials are also notable because they were
selected to help meet many of the goals of a Federal relief project. The reinforced concrete construction reduced the need for skilled labor, allowed the employment of unskilled workers, and reduced the cost of materials for the project sponsor.Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 2, 20222. Works Progress Administration Project • 1939(mounted directly above National Register marker)
Also see . . .
1. Waverly Village Hall.
Waverly's original 1893 village hall, which housed the community's government offices, fire department, jail, and ballroom, was gutted by a fire in 1938. In the midst of the Great Depression the village did not have the funds to build a new facility. Waverly officials applied to the district office of the Works Progress Administration in January 1939. The application was approved by the national office in March. Construction began later in 1939 and was completed in August 1940. The building was dedicated over Labor Day weekend in a festival that included band performances, baseball games, carnival rides, tours, and a dance in the auditorium.(Submitted on January 7, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Village Hall.
Nationally, it is noted as the location where then Senator Hubert H. Humphrey made several speeches when he was running for President of the United States. Locally, the building is known for its history of big band Saturday night dances and for the many wedding receptions that have(Submitted on January 7, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)been held there since its doors opened in 1940. Today, the Hall still used for wedding receptions, for anniversary parties, family reunions, benefits and other gatherings.Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 2, 20223. Waverly Village Hall (east/front entrance)(marker is mounted just to the right of front entrance)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 2, 2022
4. Waverly Village Hall (east/front elevation)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 2, 2022
5. Waverly Village Hall (southeast elevation)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 6, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 93 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 7, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
