A federal project for a Sioux City music pavilion

The Monahan Post Band wanted a simple music shell in Sioux City in 1930. They got their money together and started construction, only to find that neighbors objected to the initial design. The project was put on hold while the band raised more money and sought a new design.

They eventually turned to the federal government. In 1933, the city applied to the Civil Works Administration to have the project included. An unknown Sioux City architect named Henry L. Kamphoefner drew up the plans. On February 26, 1934, the CWA approved the project as Project Number 217.

The construction was a large-scale operation. It required 52 tons of reinforcing steel, 4,200 bags of Portland cement, and 300 bags of white cement. The pavilion was built using $47,436 from Federal Relief funds and $3,800 in materials from the city. Construction was completed on October 17, 1934, featuring sculptural plaques designed by Herschel Elarth.

By the spring of 1935, the pavilion was dedicated, featuring a natural amphitheater with seating for 5,000 people. The Monahan Post Band kept the tradition alive until 1948, when they became the Sioux City Municipal Band. The music pavilion was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2011.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons