Land for the park was donated by the Janesville American Legion and Fire Department in 1928. The Chicago and Northwestern Railroad donated the south portion of the park land. The park is home to a Veteran’s memorial monument donated in 1955 and the Veteran’s Memorial pavilion built in 2008 by members of the Janesville American Legion and community members.
Box 2: At Municipal Utility Building
Beekeeper Charles Hofmann (1908-2009) was the owner of the historic Hofmann Honey Apiary, north of Janesville on East Elysian Lake Road/County Road 3 on 420th Ave. He is shown here riding in the Janesville 1956 Centennial Parade. The apiary is now owned by his son, Larry Hofmann, and it has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Box 3: At JWP Athletic Complex
In 2017 the new, JWP athletic complex was completed with a rubberized track and artificial turf football field. Also included in the complex is a turf softball field, new seating, a concession stand, and bathrooms.
Box 4: At Northwoods Addition
Lake Elysian is located about two miles north of Janesville, via North Main Street. Beginning in 1956, the Smiths Mill-Janesville Sportsmen’s Club sponsored an annual fishing contest. The fishing contest continued into the late 1980s. The organization is no longer in existence.
Box 5: Near Park Road Plaza
Ken was a long time Janesville resident and well respected by the community. He was a hard worker and known to always lend a helping hand when needed. As a longtime city employee, he retired in 1987. The Lau family home sits on the corner.
Box 6: East Grove and North Main Streets
Backrow: Davis, Jones, Murphy, Arnold, Shepard, Hagen, Wilkinson, Lynch and Shepard. John Byron, team manager and Janesville Bank owner, is third from right in back row. In front right, bat boy, John F. Byron, son of the team manager. Photographer, A. S. Hellebo
Box 7: East Fourth and North Main Streets
The church of St. Ann was built in 1876 New St. Ann school dedicated in 1961; replaced by new parish hall in 2022. Extensive renovations to church building in 1974-1976 during it’s Centennial Year. Father Clayton Haberman, shown here, served during the 1970s. He passed away in 2019.
Box 8: Corner of Front and South Main Streets
The bank opened in 1894 in this corner building. In 1926, Jennison merged with the Citizen’s Bank and changed its name to Janesville State Bank. It opened in the new building erected on the corner of North Main and First Streets where the Janesville State Bank still operates. The old corner bank building subsequently housed a funeral home, meat market and a meat locker plant. It is now an established antique shop known as Ms. Macs. The Citizen’s Bank that was located at 127 N. Main, housed a meat market and the Janesville Post Office until 1967.
Box 9: Near Car Wash
Building built in 1909 and operated as a bank until 1926. In 1927 it operated as a meat market and then the village post office until 1967.
Box 10: Corner of East South and South Main Streets
Although it can’t be confirmed, it is believed this is a photo of a windmill by the Janesville Railroad Depot Downtown.
