How Monona’s Historic Lakefront Became San Damiano Park

By Sedona Afeworki, age 15

San Damiano is a lakefront park and historical site in Monona. A non-profit called The Friends of San Damiano, created in July of 2020, is working with the City of Monona to make the property a “one-of-a-kind Lake Monona destination.”

The San Damiano property has been passed down and exchanged several times since it was originally inhabited by indigenous communities. The Ho-Chunk Nation had been on the property since the ice ages, and in 1850, a Native American burial mound site was discovered near the San Damiano property.

Its next known occupant was Frank Allis, heir to the Allis-Chalmers farm machinery company. In 1893, Allis built a Dutch Colonial Revival house on the estate, which was 600 acres of farmland along Lake Monona. The still-standing 130-year-old house, which included a ballroom and seven fireplaces, was one of the first permanent residences along the lake outside of Madison.

Up until 2015, San Damiano and the Frank Allis house were used as a retreat center for priests. After a unanimous decision by the Monona City Council in September of 2020, the City of Monona bought the remaining 10-acre property from St. Norbert Abbey of De Pere for $8.6 million in June of 2021. Today, San Damiano includes the Frank Allis house and a 1,500 foot shoreline of Lake Monona with a view of the State Capitol Building.

The City of Monona and Friends of San Damiano are committed to maintaining the natural beauty and history of the property and honoring the vision of the Monona community. To do so, the San Damiano Steering Committee was formed, and the ten-person committee was headed by Mayor Mary O’Connor and past Friends of San Damiano president, Andrew Kitslaar. The actions of the committee aimed to reflect the vision statement for San Damiano: “To create a sustainable and serene, natural lakeside destination offering recreational, cultural, and education opportunities for people of all ages and ability."

During a recent public event at San Damiano Park, the Harry Whitehorse International Sculpture Festival, Simpson Street reporters interviewed Pat Howell, secretary for Friends of San Damiano. She explained that the Steering Committee worked with a consulting firm, MSA Professional Services of Madison, to examine the property.

There was an 18-month planning period, which included site analysis. During archeological excavations on the site, a raised area was found on the ground. The researchers remarked that, “it is highly likely that archaeological materials are present on the property which may include human remains.”

Further studies might show something more, but currently the mound is probably the result of landscaping. If they find any proof of human remains, progress on any plan will need to stop immediately.

The 18-month planning period also included public informational meetings and public surveys, to gauge what the Monona community’s hopes were for San Damiano. As a result, the Committee decided on three options for a plan for San Damiano.

First, the “Historic” concept. This option would include maintaining the Frank Allis house as a space for public gatherings. This option would require substantial renovations on the house. It would also involve creating spaces for active and passive enjoyment of the property.

The second option was the “Minimal” concept, which would mean the property would have no gathering spaces or buildings. In this case, San Damiano would be a more passive space, allowing people to enjoy nature along the lakeshore. This plan would include two shelters, one covered and one open-air, along with a restroom.

Finally, there was the “Modern” concept, which would include tearing down the Frank Allis house and replacing it with a new event facility facing the Wisconsin Capitol. There would also be an amphitheater built on the property.

All three options would include a traditional farm for the members of the Ho-Chunk Nation, trails and paved paths, open space on the lawn, docks, and a beach.

Regardless of which concept is chosen, the Friends of San Damiano plan to add features to the park. Goals include opportunities for recreation, preserve the natural environment and tranquility, increase public access to the property, honor and share the full history of the place currently called San Damiano, and sustain and support property improvements and operating costs.

After considering the need for a year-round shelter on the site, the Steering Committee omitted the “Minimalist” concept. Pat Howell told Simpson Street reporters that “the house still remains an unanswered question,” but that the “choices that have been made so far really represent what people want to see,” which to her is the most important thing.

Howell shared that the Friends of San Damiano want “people to come and experience this place and learn about it, learn its history, learn its culture, know that this is now public space for all people to enjoy.” She hopes people will continue to support the efforts of the Friends of San Damiano as renovations continue.

[Sources: Friends of San Damiano; Channel 3000; Madison Magazine; Wisconsin State Journal]