Chippewa Falls in Chippewa County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

William Irvine

October 28, 1851 – December 26, 1927

Photographed By Keith L, October 28, 2010

1. William Irvine Marker

Inscription. William Irvine was born in Mount Carroll, Illinois of Scotch-Irish ancestry. He came to the Chippewa Valley when he was 14 years old to work for his brother-in-law, who was captain of a raft boat towing lumber from Chippewa Falls to Mississippi River points. He worked as a watchman, clerk, scaler and lumber salesman until 1885 when he became manager of Frederick Weyerhaeuser's Chippewa Lumber & Boom Company. In its time it was the largest sawmill under one roof in the world.

William Irvine also held executive positions in the field of railroading, lumber, insurance and banking in Wisconsin and Minnesota. He married Miss Adelaide Beardsley on October 8, 1873 and together they had one daughter, Ruth.

It was through his efforts that Irvine Park was created. 163 acres of land was donated to the people of Chippewa Falls in 1906 by William Irvine, L.C. Stanley and the Chippewa Lumber & Boom Company.

Mr. Irvine provided funds for many of the park roads, for this historic Picnic Pavilion built in 1908 and for the historic Bandstand built in 1924. He also provided a $100,000 endowment in his will for the park.

Chippewa County Historical Society Marker Sign #23

Erected by the Chippewa County Historical Society. (Marker Number 23.)

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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1838.

Location. 44° 56.929′ N, 91° 23.999′ W. Marker is in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, in Chippewa County. Marker can be reached from Irvine Park Drive north of Wolfe Drive, on the right when traveling north. Marker is at the Picnic Pavilion in Irvine Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chippewa Falls WI 54729, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. In Memory of Old Abe (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Irvine Park Drive Bridge (about 600 feet away); The Chippewa Valley Electric Railway Co. (approx. 0.2 miles away); Northern Wisconsin State Fair (approx. ¼ mile away); Sunny Valley School (approx. 0.3 miles away); Pioneer Norwegian Log Home (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company (approx. 0.3 miles away); Ronald P. Anders (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chippewa Falls.

Marker and Picnic Pavilion image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Keith L, October 28, 2010

2. Marker and Picnic Pavilion

Nearby Log Display image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Keith L, October 28, 2010

3. Nearby Log Display

1430 Bd. Ft. Approximate

Nearby Bandstand image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Keith L, April 27, 2011

4. Nearby Bandstand

The historic bandstand that is noted on the marker.

Plaque on Bandstand Pillar image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Keith L, April 27, 2011

5. Plaque on Bandstand Pillar

Dedication concert by Knights of Pythias Band 1924.

Photographed By Keith L, April 27, 2011

6. Plaque on Bandstand Pillar

Donated by William Irvine May 11, 1924.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 28, 2019. It was originally submitted on December 6, 2010, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,886 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 6, 2010, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 25, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.