Sparta, WI, USA - City and Town Halls on Waymarking.com

Between 1942 and 1943 was considered the height of the US involvement in WWII. In the City of Sparta, WI it was determined that there needed to be a brand new USO Club to service the troop of nearby Camp McCoy. The old USO club was in a house on the NE corner of East Oak and South Benton streets (which has since been tore down). The US Army asked the city of Sparta for the land on which its temporary city hall (which was housed in a former Baptist Church) was located. The city agreed with the stipulation that the building would be offered back to them after the war started. The Army agreed and soon razed the old church to build their new USO Club in 1943. The Army built the new building with a lounge, community room, and even a gymnasium. The Army paid the city $100,000 for the land. After the war ended in 1946, the city and the Army entered into negotiations to hand the building back to the city. In the end the city paid the Federal Works Agency between $27,500 and $35,000 to acquire the building for their city hall. To this day the building now houses the cities main offices and has been used as a polling place for local and national elections. Sparta is known as the Bicycle Capital of America and prides itself in this fact. Sparta was also the home of deceased astronaut Deke Slayton, who is featured in much local history as well as a local museum.

Name: Camp McCoy USO Recreational Club or Sparta City Hall Address: 201 West Oak St Sarta, WI USA 54656 Date of Construction: 1943 Architect: Johnson and Kramer Memorials/Commemorations/Dedications: 10 foot tall bicycle on NE corner of lot. Web Site for City/Town/Municipality: [Web Link]

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