Baileys Harbor Town Hall & McArdle Library

Baileys Harbor Town Hall and McArdle Library. . , 1848 Captain Justice Bailey discovers Baileys Harbor , , 1849 Baileys Harbor builds the first pier in Door County , , 1851 Baileys Harbor established as county seat , , 1935 Michael W. McArdle dies in Chicago leaving funds to be used for a new Town Hall and Library in his native Baileys Harbor , , 1937 Construction on new Town Hall begins at County F and Highway 57 , , 1938 Dedication ceremony of the Town Hall and McArdle Library , , 1982 The library moved to an empty Town Schoolhouse to make room for office and meeting space , , 1994 The McArdle library returned to the Town Hall after an expansion project was completed , , Baileys Harbor Original Town Hall , Captain Justice Bailey discovered Baileys Harbor, while seeking shelter for his merchant ship and crew during a violent Lake Michigan storm in 1848. Soon wood and stone were being shipped out. In 1849, a dock to support shipping was built. Soon the port was very busy, and the town convinced the Federal Government to construct a lighthouse at the harbor's entrance known as the Bird Cage Lighthouse. Settlers were arriving by ship at the Anclam Dock and making Baileys their home. In 1851, Baileys Harbor was established as the county seat. , , The town grew and the first Town Hall was built on Bluff Rd. The building was a simple wood frame building with a minimal kitchen. An outside pump furnished water and the bathroom was "out back". The building hosted town meetings, social gatherings, fund raising dinners, and as the school when the school building burned. , , When the new Town Hall was built the original building was sold and divided into rooms for tourists. It was eventually torn down and sold. The Baileys Harbor post office now occupies the lot. , , Students and Teachers in front of the Town Hall "School" , , Michael W. McArdle , In 1935, Baileys Harbor native son Michael W McArdle passed away in Chicago. McArdle was a successful businessman in Chicago and was very supportive of his hometown. His will bequeathed funds to Baileys Harbor to be used for the construction of a Town Hall and Library. The will had specific instructions for the building. It was to be designed by a known architect, constructed by local labor, using local stone, include a full basement, a hall capable of seating three hundred and a library named "The McArdle Library". Funds were also left for equipment and maintenance of the building. , , One stipulation, however, it must be completed within five years of his death. , , Town Hall Under Construction , The property at the intersection of County F and Hwy 57 was purchased from the Hickey family for the new Town Hall. The Hickey home was moved two lots to the North. Sylvester Schmidt, a Two Rivers architect, designed the building. , , Construction began in 1937, with Ed Olson Construction of Sturgeon Bay as the General contractor. Many local Baileys Harbor names and Door County businesses are included in the old payment ledgers. Limestone was brought from a quarry west of the town. Some of the work was done through the WPA program in Door County. The building was completed in 1938 for a cost of $50,000. Well within the required allotted time set by the will. , , The Baileys Harbor Woman's Club (AKA Ladies Improvement Club) equipped the kitchen and dining room. , , Herbert Erickson sold tickets for a donation of $1.00 each, to fund the purchase of chairs for the auditorium. , , The dedication ceremony was held on Sunday, August 21, 1938 at 3:00 in the afternoon. Town residents and well-wishers from the surrounding area came for the celebration. , , Local dignitaries spoke and local people provided the entertainment. , , Following the ceremony, the Baileys Harbor Woman's Club (AKA Ladies Improvement Club) served supper to over 150 people in the auditorium of the New Town Hall. , , The McArdle Library , The first month of operation, the library issued 109 cards, 57 to residents, 19 to Baileys Harbor children, 14 to summer residents, and the balance to others in the surrounding area. , , The Librarians first check was $28.05 for working 93½ hours. , , In 1982, the need for office space for town offices grew, the library moved to the empty town schoolhouse and the library room was converted to office and town board meeting space. , , In 1994, the town undertook a building project to expand the town hall building. The addition would include a new library, bathrooms, elevator, and handicap entrance. When the project was completed, the main town office moved into the former library room, meeting rooms were opened in the renovated lower level of the building and the library came back to the town hall location. , , The New McArdle Library Addition , The new library includes a children's area, a reference area with computers, movie rentals, and self-checkout. Showcases in the lobby display local information, historical displays, and upcoming events. , , The Town Hall hosts many entertainment and community events throughout the year. Summer brings craft shows, farmers markets, festivals and Friday night outdoor entertainment to the yard surrounding the Town Hall. Kendall Park, behind the Town Hall, has a covered picnic area and a popular children's playground. , , Our Town Hall truly is an anchor for the town.