Riverside Park Bandshell
Why it's listed
Set in a grassy dell in Riverside Park, this white poured-concrete band shell faces a natural lawn amphitheater in Murphysboro, Illinois. Completed in 1939 and designed by architect Randolph Zerse Gill, it was built through a joint effort of the Works Progress Administration and the Murphysboro Park District at a cost of forty thousand dollars. The unornamented, curved Modern design reflects sound toward the audience, with a one-level performance side and a two-floor backstage side holding dressing rooms and restrooms. The nomination describes it as the first shell of its kind in Illinois and the sixth in the United States. It anchors the park's 4th of July celebration, which drew an estimated 45,000 people in 1939, and hosts jazz, blues, bluegrass and other festivals. Restoration in 1994 repaired concrete surfaces, the stage floor, roofing and sidewalks while keeping the original character. It is listed locally for its role in community entertainment and recreation.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is locally significant under Criterion A for Entertainment/Recreation as an example of the community entertainment and band movement, linked to the WPA. It has been the focal point of the annual 4th of July celebration and many music events. It was described as the first structure of its kind in Illinois and the sixth in the United States.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 12000323, listed June 6, 2012. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 22nd & Commercial Sts., Murphysboro |
|---|---|
| County | Jackson County |
| Listed | June 6, 2012 |
| Reference number | 12000323 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1939 - 1962 |
| Architect / builder | Gill, Randolph Zerse |
| Architectural style | Modern |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Entertainment/Recreation |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used for concerts, festivals and the annual 4th of July celebration; interior restoration completed in 1994 and structure described as virtually unchanged since 1939. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 37.75794, -89.35761 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 12000323.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16899343
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.