This is the old bandstand from the heart of Roosevelt Park in Devils Lake circa 1957. Do you recognize anyone in the picture? Many who are pictured here have passed on, but there’s a future editor of the Devils Lake Journal shielding her eyes from the bright sun on the left, she’s 70 now. A young Vern Moen is on the far left back row. He’s 75 years old now.
The old bandstand from the heart of Roosevelt Park is slated for demolition this summer to make way for improvements in park facilities.
Terry Wallace, long time superintendent for the Devils Lake Parks and Recreation, is retired from his position but said he is sticking around a little while longer to help see some of the major projects they have coming up happen, like this one.
He figured the bandstand was built in the 1930s or 40s, maybe part of the WPA, but he wasn’t sure, although many of the stone pillars and the old field stone building, which was razed to make way for the large picnic shelter (where Farmer’s Market sets up) were all built through the WPA.
Originally the bandstand was an open air venue to shelter bands playing in the park, but a number of years ago was enclosed and turned into the red building we all know so well.
Wallace said the red building comfortably seats about 50 people, now. The new activity center planned for this location, once the old bandstand is gone, will seat approximately 200 people, be much more modern, it will have a vaulted ceiling, will be handicapped accessible, air conditioned and heated (so it can be used year-round) plus it will have full kitchen, countertop serving area and bathroom facilities, too. In many ways it will be similar to the activity building in Ruger Park, only much larger. That building is now 10 years old and holding up pretty well, Wallace said.
The project, according to Wallace, will cost approxomately $400,000. The Park Board was in the process of opening bids last week when he talked to the Journal about the project, which is one of many the board is planning for this season.
