Restoring a landmark

The gazebo in Bayfield looks brand new as a result of restoration project spearheaded by the Bayfield Civic League.

Located at Memorial Park on the shores of Lake Superior, the gazebo was built in 1913 by 28 women who made up the Bayfield Civic League. The gazebo is now registered on the National Register of Historic Places.

More than a century’s worth of wear and tear made the foundation unsteady and caused other problems. Seeing the gazebo in that condition prompted the Civic League to restore it.

The league turned to the community for help and the Bay Area responded, donating about $100,000. The cost is due in part to the league’s desire to make the new gazebo more resilient and safer. They opted to give it a concrete base to make it sturdier, and use larger beams to make it last, which drove up costs.

Many of the unique features of the gazebo remain.

As a central gathering place, the gazebo is the cornerstone of the park and the site of many community events, said Civic League President Sue Gerzina, including the well-attended free concert series on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in the summer, Memorial Day and Fourth of July celebrations, Easter egg roll, art fairs and weddings.