History
Construction
In 1929, Frank Whiting purchased the land from Theodore Blank. In 1932, the boathouse was built, made primarily of stucco. Costing approximately $100,000 (adjusting for inflation, approximately $1.7 million dollars today), the Boathouse had extravagant details and included nautical themes such as boat planters made of stone, an iron fence, maritime lanterns, stained glass windows depicting water scenes, fishnet curtains, and silhouette replicas of Whiting’s boats. The top patio was added in 1939 for additional living and party space. In 1946, a 1600 sq. ft. second floor addition was completed at the boathouse along with fencing and walkways. Two storage sheds were erected in 1948.
The boathouse was donated to the City of Neenah in 1952 after Frank Whiting's untimely death. It was added to the National Register of Historic Landmarks in 2011.
The boathouse was donated to the City of Neenah in 1952 after Frank Whiting's untimely death. It was added to the National Register of Historic Landmarks in 2011.
Frank B. Whiting
Frank Brockway Whiting was a father, husband, sailor, adventurer, fisherman, hunter, politician, community leader, philanthropist, and captain of the paper industry. As a young man, Whiting rode the first commercial flight in Appleton on Labor Day of 1911. He embraced the technology of his time and was showing motion pictures in his home as early as 1926. In 1930, his adopted father, George Whiting, passed away leaving Whiting $3,000,000 in a trust that would be completely distributed at the end of ten years. He inherited the Whiting - Plover Paper Company in Stevens Point, as well as the George A. Whiting Company in Menasha. In 1930, he became president of the George A. Whiting Paper Company but chose to remain vice president of the Whiting-Plover Paper Company, and he joined the Board of Directors of the First National Bank of Menasha. Whiting was a delegate at the Republican convention in June of 1932. He was a member of the Masonic Bridge Club as well as a Rotarian. Whiting enjoyed camping, hunting, and fishing trips with his family. Being a man who truly loved boating, he hoped to pass that love onto his children. He bought an ice boat for his son George in 1925 and in 1938 he bought a Cub class sailboat for his three daughters. Frank B. Whiting died from a fatal heart attack while on an adventure in Buenos Aires, Argentina on March 29, 1952.
Parties
The Whiting Boathouse was the site of many great social gatherings. Frank Whiting was famous for the parties he threw in the boathouse, was especially well-known for his themed parties, such as shipwreck parties, Greek parties, novel parties, and costume parties. On June 29th 1937 and on July 2nd 1938, many prestigious tennis players, who were in the city playing in the Doty Tennis Club tournament, attended parties at the "rooftop garden." These players included Bobbie Riggs, Frank Parker, and Pauline Betts. In August of 1937, he hosted a "Good Ship Whiting" dance party where the guests dressed like ship mates and partied for hours. Once or twice a year, Whiting would call his friends in the wee hours of the morning over for a shipwreck party, where guests would arrive in what they were wearing at the time, from pajamas to dresses. Mr. Whiting always had what guests called "Johnson and Smith" jokes. Set as part of the decor, they consisted of exploding cigars, exploding books, and exploding pictures sitting on the tables. The Whiting Boathouse was truly "the place to be" in the 1930's-1940's.
Boats
Frank Whiting housed a total of three boats in the boathouse at different times, the Nauti-Gal, Fran Isabella, and the Nauti-Gal II. The original Nauti Gal may have been used for war in World War I, but that is not confirmed. The Fran Isabella had been named after Frank Whiting's daughters and was rumored to be the fastest boat on the lake during the time Frank owned it. When the original Nauti-Gal sank in 1942, a larger, 57-foot-long boat called the Nauti-Gal II replaced it. Nauti-Gal II was donated to the city after Whiting passed away, as he intended for it to serve as a police boat on Lake Winnebago. Just as Whiting had wanted, the boat saw 50 years of service on the lake after his death, serving to both entertain as well as rescue.
Architecture
Mediterranean RevivalThe boathouse exemplifies a rather eclectic Mediterranean Revival by its use of flat stucco walls with tile ornamentation, the rounded wooden arched entry door, decorative wrought iron grill work, and corner quoins.
|
French TudorThe French Tudor influences can be seen on the massive stepped chimney and the metal windows, while the mansard roof of slate tile typifies French period revival.
|
Spanish ColonialSpanish Colonial can be seen in the boathouse by its use of stucco walls, elaborate door surrounds, massive arched entry doors, tiled roofs, brick or tiled vents, arched windows, and decorative ironwork.
|
The Whiting Boathouse
98 5th Street
Neenah WI 54956
98 5th Street
Neenah WI 54956