Historic

History Of Marshfield

Marshfield was named after John J. Marsh of Haverhill, Mass., one of the original proprietors of the town site. About 1865 the Fox & Wisconsin Improvement Co. was organized and entered into a contract with the State of Wisconsin to complete waterways improvements on the Fox and Wisconsin rivers to make navigation possible between Green Bay and the Mississippi.

When the work was not completed by 1866, a new company known as the Green Bay & Mississippi Improvement Co. was formed to take over the work. When the company dissolved, the site of Marshfield became the property of John Magee and Samuel Marsh.

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Historic Marshfield

Standing as a sentinel over Main Street Marshfield’s Historic District is “Old City Hall,” built as a Queen Ann public building by famous architects, Van Ryn and DeGelke. Historic and preserved buildings encompass much of Downtown Marshfield. A Historic Marker commemorating the founding of Marshfield is at Chestnut and Depot. To the east, is the Pleasant Hill Historic District. There are 75 homes of mixed styles which were built between 1880 and 1955. The home at 208 South Cherry was the home of Marshfield’s famous Mel Laird. To the southwest, is the Park Street Historic District which includes 13 homes. This neighborhood’s biggest charm is ambiance.

At the entrance to Wildwood Park, is the restored 2442 Soo Line Engine. The engine was built in 1911 and was the biggest around at that time. It was donated to the city in 1956 and restored in 1997. Among other Marshfield attractions are the Sears home at 611 West Blodgett and the E.F. Mechler House at 305 South Maple, which is now a “painted lady.”

At East Fourth and South Palmetto Avenue stands the Junior High School with its landmark tower feature. The school was designed by famous architects Eschweiler and Eschweiler and completed in the spring of 1940 as the Senior High.

On October 13, 2005 Marshfield Senior High School now Marshfield Middle School joined more than 100 buildings in Wisconsin recognized for their place in education history when it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.