Riverside Park: 1956-1984
During the summer of 1956, the city received a major donation from Mrs. Vina Shattuck Beals. Mrs. Beals was a daughter of Frank Shattuck, one of the four founders of Kimberly-Clark Corporation. She donated the funds to build the pavilion. The idea for a pavilion and theater presented by Phelps Wyman in 1932, now came to life in a single building. This pavilion still currently stands in the park and is used for a variety of functions. In the summer, the main attraction is Neenah's summer theater company, Riverside Players.
Another major change to the park occurred over the course of 16 years between 1968 and 1984. During this time, the city acquired 420 feet of riverfront land that had previously belonged to homeowners on the south side of Wisconsin Avenue. This allowed the park to extend all the way to Pine Street.
The above documents are warranties for 2 of the multiple properties whose riverfront property became part of the park in 1968 and some in 1984.
Sources
The warranties were provided by the Neenah Parks and Rec. Department
The photograph of the pavilion is from the Neenah Historical Society's Flickr page
Boynton, Charles. Neenah Gazette [Neenah] 22 June 1872: n. pag. Print.
Pavilion Pictures courtesy City of Neenah website
The photograph of the pavilion is from the Neenah Historical Society's Flickr page
Boynton, Charles. Neenah Gazette [Neenah] 22 June 1872: n. pag. Print.
Pavilion Pictures courtesy City of Neenah website