Riverside Park Bandshell

The Riverside Park Bandshell is a bandshell located in Riverside Park in Murphysboro, Illinois. The concrete bandshell was built in 1938–39 by the Works Progress Administration and the Murphysboro Park District. Riverside Park was opened in 1907; it was originally known as Buster Brown Park, as it was initially owned by the Brown Shoe Company. The park began hosting Murphysboro's annual 4th of July celebration in 1927, and the bandshell became part of the day's events as soon as it opened. The bandshell's inaugural concert occurred on July 4, 1939, and received an audience of 45,000; since then, the bandshell has hosted the opening concert for the celebrations each year. The bandshell has also hosted annual music festivals highlighting jazz, blues, and bluegrass musicians and provides a stage for other community events in the park.[2]

Riverside Park Bandshell
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location	22nd and Commercial Sts., Murphysboro, Illinois
Coordinates	37°45′22″N 89°21′25″W
Built	1938–39
Architect	Rudolph Zerses Gill
NRHP reference No.	12000323[1]
Added to NRHP	June 6, 2012

The bandshell was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 6, 2012.[1]

It was designed by architect Rudolph Zerses Gill.

References

1. "Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 6/04/12 Through 6/08/12". National Park Service. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
2. Rachel Malcolm Ensor (January 30, 2012). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Riverside Park Bandshell" (PDF). Illinois Historic Preservation Division. Retrieved February 1, 2014.