in the 1900s, the city beautiful movement gained national recognition. as a result, cities like kenosha, wisconsin sought to develop aesthetically pleasant town centers. after world war i ended, kenosha officials appointed a committee to establish a city plan. in 1922, kenosha citizens voted to approve this plan, part of which was to develop a new town center. harland bartholomew was commissioned to submit a city plan, which he submitted in 1925.