David City Park & Municipal Auditorium

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 12, 2021

1. David City Park & Municipal Auditorium Marker

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From the National Register Nomination prepared by Greg Miller, 7/2000:
Throughout its history, beginning in 1889, the park has been a gathering place for the people of David City and the surrounding area. Additionally, as the park developed the Works Progress Administration developed several projects within

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 12, 2021

2. David City Park Municipal Auditorium (north elevation)

The marker is mounted on the right side of the right-front (northwest) entrance.

From the National Register Nomination:  The main façade, which faces north, has an entrance at each side. Two sets of five-light ribbon windows arranged in a horizontal pattern are also present. The two entrances on the main façade lead to a connecting hall that runs east and west. Off of this hall are two rest rooms, an office with adjoining ticket booth at each end, three check rooms, and a telephone room. Two hallways lead into the main multi-purpose room. Rising up from the maple floor on the north side are wooden bleachers. The stage, located on the south side, opposite the bleachers and across the gym floor, is 44 by 24 feet. The auditorium also has a full basement that can be used as a meeting room and/or dance hall.

the park. The nomination includes one district that contains four contributing buildings and three contributing structures. The buildings are the Municipal Auditorium, the bathhouse, the caretaker's house, and the Schweser House. The structures include the swimming pool, and the amphitheater and athletic field.
Undoubtedly the most prominent building in the park is the Municipal Auditorium. Constructed in 1941-1943, the structure is significant for its association with the WPA and as an excellent example of an Art Moderne style building. As with the pool and bathhouse the city passed a bond issue to supplement the cost of building the auditorium under the WPA program.
The two-story Art Moderne style building is constructed of concrete and steel. Features characteristic to this style that appear on the auditorium include two symmetrical entrances on the main facade. Two sets of five-light ribbon windows arranged in a horizontal pattern are also present.
The athletic field facility and amphitheater, the Municipal Auditorium, and the swimming pool and bathhouse were all WPA projects. These are important features within the park. The WPA,

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 12, 2021

3. David City Park Municipal Auditorium
(northeast elevation)

From the National Register Nomination:  The corners of the front façade are curved with a series of vertical grooves running from top to bottom. Every other groove has columns of five glass-block windows. On the east and west sides are divided light windows separated by pilasters. The wall surface of the building is smooth and the roof is flat. All these features are characteristic of the Art Moderne style.

which was a federal work relief program, helped ensure that these structures were constructed. These facilities are important examples of the role the federal government played in helping to develop the David City Park.

The Municipal Auditorium, located in the middle of the David City Park, serves eastern Nebraska for many family reunions, wedding receptions and dances, meetings, ag expos, church dinners, banquets, parties, and local school activities. The lower level of the auditorium has a 90 x 70 ft. meeting area (capacity 375) with a fully equipped kitchen, a bar, 20 x 30 ft. stage, clean restrooms, air conditioning, and recently replaced new windows.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 12, 2021

4. David City Park Municipal Auditorium (northwest elevation)

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 12, 2021

5. George Schweser Memorial Building

(0.1 mile east of the Municipal Auditorium on Kansas Street)
Contributing property: David City Park & Municipal Auditorium, NRHP № 00001378.

From the National Register Nomination: Continuing east from the auditorium the winding road leads to the Schweser House. In the mid-1940s the family of George Schweser constructed a stone building designed in the Colonial Revival style demonstrating such elements as an accentuated center door and symmetrically balanced windows with double-hung sashes.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 12, 2021

6. George Schweser Memorial Building Markers

(mounted on left side of front entrance)
In memory of
George Schweser
Pioneer Merchant
Donated by his son
Fred G. Schweser
1948
———
(mounted on right side of front entrance)
[identical to marker on the Municipal Auditorium (above)]