Worthington in Nobles County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Worthington Bandshell
April 13, 2026
1. Worthington Bandshell NRHP & NYA Markers
Worthington Bandshell
Built in 1941
This property is listed in the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior
Constructed by National Youth Administration 1941
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1941.
Location. 43° 37.212′ N, 95° 36.411′ W. Marker is in Worthington, Minnesota, in Nobles County. It can be reached from Lake Avenue west of May Street, on the right when traveling east. Located in Chautauqua Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 418 Lake Ave, Worthington MN 56187, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Minnesota. It is also 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 Ruperts Land, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Louisiana
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Bridge of Friendship (within shouting distance of this marker); Chautauqua Park / Worthington City Band (within shouting distance of this marker); Nobles County WWII Veterans Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Dayton House / George D. Dayton (approx. 0.7 miles away); Benona Pierce and Clair Hovey St. John Memorial Wetlands (approx. 0.9 miles away); Welcome to Minnesota / The Minnesota-Iowa Boundary (approx. 4.3 miles away); "Habitat" (approx. 4.3 miles away); History at Hawkeye Point (approx. 12.2 miles away in Iowa). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Worthington.
Also see . . . Worthington Band Shell | National Park Gallery Digital Asset Management System. National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (2015).
From the Statement of Significance:(Submitted on July 11, 2026.)
"Plans for the band shell began to take shape in January 1940 when Worthington City Council members reviewed various ideas from the Park Board at its January 3 meeting and discussions continued for several months.On March 1, 1940, City Council members began to look closely at band shell sketches developed by the engineering firm of R.D. Thomas and Associates of Minneapolis. They decided to request revised sketches increasing the depth of the band shell and including locker rooms, dressing rooms, showers and restrooms in the lower level. On March 27, the City Council after reviewing the revised sketches, voted to accept the band shell plans and specifications and to pay R.D. Thomas and Associates $300 for their use. R.D. Thomas and Associates then served as the engineering firm on the project. In September 1940, plans and specifications in hand, City Council members instructed G.S. Thompson, City Clerk, to have City Engineer G.D. McMurtry contact the NYA and WPA supervisors about building a band shell. On December 11, 1940, the city appointed Hjalmar Solderholm foreman (supervisor) of the construction crew and put Earl Smith, City Water Department foreman, in charge of plumbing installation. They then, on January 8, 1941, discontinued the project until the spring construction season.April 13, 20262. Worthington Bandshell & Markers, from the north
"Construction of the band shell, built at a cost of about$2,500 to the NYA and about $4,000 to the city, began in April 1941. By June, it was far enough along to anticipate completion for the summer band concert season. Plasterers completed their work in late June/early July, wiring was in by July 9, and the band played it first concert in the band shell that evening. Seating for 300 people was installed shortly after the first concert. According to the newspaper, 2,000 people turned out to hear the band play in the band shell for the first time. The only drawback, it was reported, was the lack of time for band director Vic Moeller to test its acoustics before the concert, so, at the end he took time to ask for audience reaction. The band shell was declared a success - there were no dead spots and it was possible to hear music played in it for quite a distance. Visitors to the band shell today still test its acoustics by standing in the back and whispering; the whispers can be heard in the furthest row of seats.April 13, 20263. Worthington Bandshell & Markers
"The Worthington band shell is the only known NYA-built band shell in Minnesota and is one of only a handful of NYA-built band shells in the country. With its unadorned prosceniumarch and clean design, it is characterized by the simplicity of its design and the quality of its acoustics."April 13, 20264. Worthington Bandshell
Additional keywords. Chautauqua Park Band Shell
April 13, 2026
5. Worthington Bandshell
April 13, 2026
6. Worthington Bandshell
Credits. This page was last revised on July 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 11, 2026. This page has been viewed 15 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 11, 2026.
