Houdini Plaza

Houdini Plaza stands at the heart of downtown Appleton as a vibrant public gathering space honoring the boy who became the world’s most famous escape artist. The plaza is named for Harry Houdini (born Ehrich Weiss), whose family settled in Appleton when he was a toddler and lived near what is now this site before moving on to Milwaukee and beyond. Local lore notes that young Houdini had one of his earliest brushes with danger when he nearly drowned in the Fox River as a child, a moment some historians link to his lifelong fascination with dramatic escapes and breath‑holding feats in water later in his career. This enduring connection to Appleton’s history is celebrated every year through community events, concerts, markets, and the city’s ongoing homage to its most legendary native son.

Today’s plaza (dedicated in 1985) features open walkways, seating, and a striking bronze bust of Houdini sculpted by artist Craig Campbell and unveiled in August 2015. The bust portrays the magician wrapped in a straitjacket (a nod to one of his signature escapes) and serves as a focal point for visitors to learn about Houdini’s life and view his likeness on the very ground that shaped his early years.

The plaza will soon include a Wisconsin historical marker, proposed to be placed there in 2026 to mark the 100th anniversary of Houdini’s death on Halloween, 1926.