Windego Park Auditorium/Open Air Theater

Windego Park Auditorium is an open-air theater with 17 rows of concrete steps arranged on a steep slope west of the Rum River, with a curved stage set at the base. The structure seats roughly 1,600 people, with every location providing a clear view of the stage.

The theater was built in 1914 under the direction of music educator Thaddeus P. Giddings as part of a broader effort to bring music and culture to communities. It received National Register of Historic Places designation in 1980, marking its recognition as an important example of Prairie School design.

This venue was once the center of community life, where people gathered to watch local performances and musical events together. The space still serves as a gathering place where visitors can experience how entertainment and public life were woven into the town's identity.

The site sits along a river bank and requires sturdy footwear because of the steep steps and uneven ground. Visitors should be prepared for changing weather since it is an outdoor location with little shelter from sun or rain.

During World War II, metal components from the structure including railings and support poles were removed for wartime scrap collection drives. This sacrifice shows how local communities gave up physical assets to support the national war effort.

Location: Anoka

Architects: Purcell & Elmslie

GPS coordinates: 45.19722,-93.39278

Latest update: December 14, 2025 16:47