City of Bayfield - Historic Preservation
Guide to Historic Preservation
Historic Preservation Ordinance Adopted June 1998
Historic Preservation District:
About the District:
The Bayfield Historic District follows the example of the district established by the US Park Service in 1981. The Park Service recognized a 50 block area to be included in the National Register of Historic Places. This district was amended to include the waterfront, and the approach corridors (Hwy 13).
Since Bayfield doesn't have a single definable neighborhood of Victorian mansions, a town square surrounded by the towns earliest buildings, or an aged warehouse district, as you can see, a large part of the town has been included. This allows for a unique representation of a bigger picture. The visual character of Bayfield, the feel of the place, is as much from the modest homes on the hills, as from stately mansions. It is an architectural history and ethic not created solely by prosperity but by periods of just hanging on.
All was the result of a community blessed with abundant lumber, a spectacular setting, and lives tied to the lake for their livelihood, transportation and recreation.
Since Bayfield doesn't have a single definable neighborhood of Victorian mansions, a town square surrounded by the towns earliest buildings, or an aged warehouse district, as you can see, a large part of the town has been included. This allows for a unique representation of a bigger picture. The visual character of Bayfield, the feel of the place, is as much from the modest homes on the hills, as from stately mansions. It is an architectural history and ethic not created solely by prosperity but by periods of just hanging on.
All was the result of a community blessed with abundant lumber, a spectacular setting, and lives tied to the lake for their livelihood, transportation and recreation.
Introduction and History
Bayfield was first plotted out of the wilderness in 1856. The abundance of lumber and fish and the possibility of becoming an important port on the western reaches of the Great Lakes were enough reason for the town to grow. Bayfield reached the peak of prosperity at the turn of the last century, from about 1880-1910. The fishing, lumber and brownstone industries were booming, creating wealth from the surrounding wilderness. It was during this period that Bayfield's enduring identity was created. The feel of Bayfield is rooted in the architecture of this boom time, whether it's the sweeping lake view porches of the Queen Ann mansions or the modest steep peaked roofs, and clapboard sided houses of the more prevalent class.
The architectural character of Bayfield came from an abundance of local wood and stone, skilled ethnic craftsman experimenting with a freer style, and from, of course, the lake, toward which the developing town was oriented.
The architectural character of Bayfield came from an abundance of local wood and stone, skilled ethnic craftsman experimenting with a freer style, and from, of course, the lake, toward which the developing town was oriented.
Purpose and Intent
The City of Bayfield has adopted the Historic Preservation Ordinance for the following reasons:
TO COMPLY with a State mandate that requires any City or Village with property listed on the National Register of Historic Places to create a historic preservation ordinance.
TO PRESERVE. It has been said, as a culture, the past defines the present. The preservation of our architecture provides a link to the past and contributes greatly to our "sense of place". Bayfield's distinct past gives us a glimpse of a Great Lakes, turn of the century, fishing village and the City feels an obligation to preserve this view.
TO FOSTER civic pride by honoring and caring for the efforts of those who labored before us.
TO STABILIZE property values by ensuring the predictability of contiguous, harmonious neighborhoods. While contemporary design and building methods should be encouraged to evolve in some neighborhoods, in older neighborhoods they may as often detract as enhance.
TO RECYCLE and promote the wise reuse of the native resources of stone and lumber that helped create Bayfield.
TO ATTRACT visitors interested in a place distinct from the homogeneous sprawl of developing America.
TO STRENGTHEN the local economy by creating a collective effect of preservation and local investment.
TO ENHANCE the quality of what we view by preserving the interesting elements of our architectural past and lending cohesiveness to our visual experience.
TO EDUCATE residents and visitors about what it is we are attempting to preserve.
TO COMPLY with a State mandate that requires any City or Village with property listed on the National Register of Historic Places to create a historic preservation ordinance.
TO PRESERVE. It has been said, as a culture, the past defines the present. The preservation of our architecture provides a link to the past and contributes greatly to our "sense of place". Bayfield's distinct past gives us a glimpse of a Great Lakes, turn of the century, fishing village and the City feels an obligation to preserve this view.
TO FOSTER civic pride by honoring and caring for the efforts of those who labored before us.
TO STABILIZE property values by ensuring the predictability of contiguous, harmonious neighborhoods. While contemporary design and building methods should be encouraged to evolve in some neighborhoods, in older neighborhoods they may as often detract as enhance.
TO RECYCLE and promote the wise reuse of the native resources of stone and lumber that helped create Bayfield.
TO ATTRACT visitors interested in a place distinct from the homogeneous sprawl of developing America.
TO STRENGTHEN the local economy by creating a collective effect of preservation and local investment.
TO ENHANCE the quality of what we view by preserving the interesting elements of our architectural past and lending cohesiveness to our visual experience.
TO EDUCATE residents and visitors about what it is we are attempting to preserve.
Historic Preservation Guidelines
(2.15 MB PDF - updated 03/23/2018)
Conclusion
Surrounded by natural beauty, we are fortunate to live in a small, caring community and to have inherited an unspoiled historically lovely town. We all need to uphold the historic traditions of our City.
In this community we have a unique opportunity to balance growth with the preservation of our architectural heritage, both in our homes and in our business district. For the last 100 years, or so, the residents of Bayfield have maintained these homes and businesses with an ethic of hard work and practicality, as economics would allow. This, for the most part has preserved the spirit of the architecture of that robust era. THIS ORDINANCE REQUESTS NOTHING MORE.
The Bayfield Historic Preservation Ordinance is being established to create a structure for and to give substance to what has already been started by the citizens here: a town that is lovely to drive into, a treat to walk through, and is as yet uncluttered with the architectural "eyesores" that many communities are trying to rectify around this state and in this country. With this ordinance we will continue to improve and beautify the treasure that is Bayfield. It will reaffirm to long time residents that we have not lost sight of what has been created here and it will give direction and guidance as we welcome newcomers to this the Best Little Town in the Midwest.
In this community we have a unique opportunity to balance growth with the preservation of our architectural heritage, both in our homes and in our business district. For the last 100 years, or so, the residents of Bayfield have maintained these homes and businesses with an ethic of hard work and practicality, as economics would allow. This, for the most part has preserved the spirit of the architecture of that robust era. THIS ORDINANCE REQUESTS NOTHING MORE.
The Bayfield Historic Preservation Ordinance is being established to create a structure for and to give substance to what has already been started by the citizens here: a town that is lovely to drive into, a treat to walk through, and is as yet uncluttered with the architectural "eyesores" that many communities are trying to rectify around this state and in this country. With this ordinance we will continue to improve and beautify the treasure that is Bayfield. It will reaffirm to long time residents that we have not lost sight of what has been created here and it will give direction and guidance as we welcome newcomers to this the Best Little Town in the Midwest.
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City of Bayfield ~ 125 South First Street ~ PO Box 1170 ~ Bayfield, WI 54814 ~ 715.779.5712
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©2012 City of Bayfield
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