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United States Department of the Interior <br />National Park Service <br />National Register of Historic Places <br />Continuation Sheet <br />Section number y,_g Page <br />Walker Field Shelterhouse <br />St. Joseph County IN <br />surrounded by a low concrete wall with an opening on the south end <br />(photos 6,7,8). At one time fountains in the pool continually <br />sprayed water upwards and aerated it. The pool is less than two <br />feet deep: At present it is filled with a substantial layer of <br />silt in which weeds are growing. <br />The building has been the target of vandalism over the last decade <br />or so, and the restrooms are unlocked only when scheduled events, <br />such as ball games, take place. The restrooms are located on the <br />east and west sides of the building and access to each is inside. <br />To the north of each is a locked storage room (see photo 9). <br />Between the doors of the storage room and the restroom on the east <br />side of the interior is a large stone fireplace. Centered above <br />the fireplace opening is a bronze plaque listing the city and park <br />officials at the time of construction, and centered in the chimney <br />above that is a blank circular concrete inset. The interior floor <br />is brick, laid in a diagonal pattern. In the center of the <br />interior on the northside is a concrete concession counter (photo <br />10) with access at its west end. It is flanked by two arched <br />openings in the north wall leading to the pool area. The area <br />around the pool is paved with brick (photo 7), continuing the <br />diagonal pattern. <br />NARRATIVE STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE <br />As described in the associated property type "New Deal Work <br />Projects Related to Parks and Recreation," the Walker Field <br />shelterhouse is eligible for the National Register of Historic <br />Places under Criterion A in the areas of recreation and social <br />history because it is associated with the New Deal's work programs <br />and recreational development in the 1930s. It is also eligible <br />under Criterion C because the building is representative of the <br />work and style of architecture typical of the WPA in St. Joseph <br />County. The building meets the standards of integrity as set <br />forth in the multiple property nomination "New Deal Work Projects <br />in St. Joseph County." The building is in its original location <br />and original setting. The design and materials remain intact, and <br />the resources are representative of and associated with typical <br />WPA workmanship, specifically, the stone construction. <br />