Beloit Historical Society Hall of Fame

1938 – present:

A Short History

As Beloit observed its centennial in 1936, the idea developed that a “Hall of Beloit Builders and Founders” should be established. In January of 1938 Oscar Nelson (inducted 1975), secretary of the Beloit Commercial Club, proposed that the “hall” be established “for the purpose of perpetuating the memories of men and women, who in life, gave generously of their time, talents and means to the building of our city.”

The original 25 inductees had their portraits painted by the noted local artist E.M.R. Weiner (inducted 1976), and they were presented to the public in a ceremony at Grinnell Hall June 16, 1940. From Grinnell they were moved to the old Beloit Public Library, then to the Hanchett-Bartlett house when that became part of the Beloit Historical Society. Today Lincoln Center is their home.

The outbreak of World War II shelved plans to continue inducting members, and it wasn’t until 1966 that the project was revived. M. Walter Dundore (inducted 1974), curator of the Beloit Historical Society, and Bart Swindall, executive director of the Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce, brought the concept, now titled the Beloit Hall of Fame, back to life for Beloit’s Heritage Days celebrations.

Every year Beloiters have continued to be inducted into the Beloit Hall of Fame, “…individuals whose efforts and vision for a better community distinguished themselves during their lifetime by making a significant contribution to the greater good of our Beloit area and its citizens, this Nation, and mankind, or otherwise brought fame to our community irrespective of their residence at the time of death.” The Hall now numbers of 200 of these notable men and women.

Listed by Alpha

NAMEYEAR INDUCTEDBIOGRAPHY
ADAMS, ALLAN W.1999Biography
ADAMS, ARTHUR B.1999Biography
ADAMS, HARRY W.1966Biography
ADAMS, JEFFREY L.2018Biography
ALDRICH, ALONZO1939Biography
ALLEN, DR. JESSIE1978Biography
ANDERSON, BEAUFORD2001Biography
ANDREWS, ROY CHAPMAN1966Biography
ARMSTRONG, CORA POLLOCK1972Biography

Listed by Year

DUNCAN, REGINA
HART, CHARLES
FINNEGAN, JOHN & MARK (VETSROLL)
CALDWELL, CHERYL & JIM
LAUBE, CINDY

Submit a Hall of Fame Nomination

  1. Individuals selected for the honor of enshrinement into the Beloit Historical Hall of Fame shall be outstanding leaders, men or women, whose efforts and vision for a better Beloit community, distinguished themselves during their lifetime by making significant contributions to the greater good of our Beloit area and its citizens, or otherwise brought fame to our community.
  2. Individuals selected for the honor of enshrinement into the Beloit Historical Society Hall of Fame shall have:
    1. Made significant contributions to the greater good to the Beloit area and its citizens.
    2. Exhibited exemplary leadership, resourcefulness, devotion and efforts towards the realization of a better Beloit community.
    3. Brought fame or recognition to the Beloit community, irrespective of their lifetime area of work or service.
  3. Rules for Nominations into the Beloit Historical Society Hall of Fame:
    1. Persons submitting names for the nominees for the Beloit Historical Society Hall of Fame shall have the responsibility of submitting, in writing, a brief summary of the nominee’s background and reasons for selection. The Beloit Historical Society award nomination form should be used for this purpose.
    2. The Chair of the awards selection committee shall provide forms of those candidates who are being considered for selection.
    3. At the sole discretion of the awards committee it shall select not less than three (3), nor more than five (5) persons for enshrinement in any given year.
    4. The awards selection committee shall consist of eight (8) members.
    5. The Director of the Beloit Historical Society shall serve as the Secretary of the committee and shall be an ex-officio member of the committee.
  1. You may make your submission using the online form below.
  2. Alternately you may download the form linked below and email or postal mail to:
    1. info@beloithistoricalsociety.com
    2. BHS, Attn: Hall of Fame
      845 Hackett
      Beloit, WI 53511

Download Nomination Form

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