Early days at the park

Cuba City's Veterans' Memorial Park, formerly known as Central Park, or just the "City Park," has been providing residents with a recreational space for at least 120 years. Located one block off of Main Street, in the 100 block of South Washington Street, this green space currently offers two shelters and playground equipment and is home to a memorial for all veterans from the Cuba City area.

In its early years, the city park was used frequently for concerts, such as those put on by Cuba City's famous Military Band. According to the Cuba City Centennial history, the village constructed a small concrete block bandstand some time after 1891, and the Military Band performed concerts on Saturday nights and special occasions, like the 4th of July. The park was also used for community fundraisers, such as the ice cream social put on by the Red Cross during World War I.

An early postcard of the park, postmarked 1912.

This early picture was also likely taken at the city park. Thank you to Rachel Knoblich, who kindly shared this photo belonging to her grandmother, Lillian Heitkamp Kirk.