USA > Wisconsin > Dane County > Madison > A history of Madison, the capital of Wisconsin : including the Four Lake country : to July, 1874, with an appendix of notes on Dane County and its towns > Part 29
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chased a site for a school house in the University Addition, known as lots 7, 8 and 9, in block 2, situated on the northwest corner of Park and Johnson streets, 165 feet on the former and about 240 feet on the latter street, at a cost of one thousand dollars.
Plans and specifications for the building were prepared by G. P. RANDALL, architect, Chicago; the precise character of which was settled upon in February last. Immediately thereafter, proposals for the construction of the building complete were invited by the committee, and a contract was made with Messrs. FISH & STEVENS for the construction of the building in accord- ance with the plan and specifications, under the supervision of H. N. MOULTON, Esq., to be completed on or before Decem- ber 25, 1870, for the sum of $14,829.
Work was commenced about April 1st, and pushed with such vigor, that the greater part was done about November 1st.
The building is 60 feet fronting on Johnson street, by 40 feet deep, with front vestibule projecting three feet from the line of the building, and about twenty feet in length, and rear vestibule for entrance and stairway 16x18 feet.
The building has four school rooms, each about 25x34 feet and 14 feet high -front stairway to the second story 5 feet 4 inches wide, and rear stairway of about equal width. A base- ment the full size of the building, floored with hard brick, laid in concrete, furnishes room for storage of fuel, sufficient to sup- ply the three furnaces designed to warm the entire building, and which can be used as play rooms in stormy weather.
Special reference to the suitable warming and complete ven- tilation of the school rooms was had in view, and it is believed we have in this building one of the most conveniently arranged and best ventilated school houses in the state, with capacity to seat about 270 pupils. This building was erected the ensuing year.
In the " State Journal" of September 13, 1870, Gen. DAVID ATWOOD gives an interesting account of the history of the pub- lication of that paper, it being at that time eighteen years since the publication of the first number. Owing to the length of
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the article, we can only give some extracts: "In 1847, the of- fice was in the basement of a brick house that stood upon the site now occupied (1870), by MOSELEY & BROS., F. D. FULLER and GEO. W. GILMAN. The house was unfinished at that time. Between that and the old American Hotel there was nothing; and on the site of the present " State Journal Block," which is now in the heart of the business portion of the city, there was a thick growth of native trees. Our next move was into a small house that stood upon the site where BEMIS' meat market is now standing. During the year 1850, WM. C. WELLS, whom many of our older citizens well remember, erected the store recently occupied as the postoffice. It was known as the " Mammoth Block," and was considered in the outskirts of civi- ilization, in the city. It was in the woods. On the 1st of January, 1851, we took possession of the third story of that "Mammoth Building," and were ridiculed for having our print- ing office out of town. After occupying this position for a year and a half, we had to look for new quarters. Messrs. WEED & EBERHARD had just removed a small one story build- ing from King street to the site of JAS. W. SUMNER's new store on Main street, and were fitting it up for a book store. They proposed to raise the roof and add a second story to this building, provided we would occupy it for a printing office. We accepted the offer, and from that little room, about 15 feet by 30, and seven feet high, which was used as a composing room, press room, business room, and editorial room, the first number of the Daily Journal was issued, eighteen years ago.
In 1853, " Bruen's Block " was erected, and on the 1st day of January, 1854, the State Journal took quarters in the fourth story, with an editorial and business room on the second floor. In 1857, a power press was added to the establishment, and oc- cupied a basement room on Washington avenue for its use. On the 1st day of May, 1860, the office was located in the block on the corner of Pinckney and Mifflin streets.
In September, 1870, the office was removed, as we trust per- menently, to a stone block erected the present season on Wash- ington avenue, which will hereafter be as known the "State
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Journal Block." Our present rooms have been fitted up ex- pressly for our use, and every thing has been adjusted with a view to make a pleasant and agreeable printing office in all of its appointments.
The following is a brief account of the rooms: A basement room for the power presses, 66 by 22 feet, the boiler room is outside, with coal vault, etc .; on the first floor, are our business rooms, occupying 20 feet front, and conveniently fitted up. On the second floor are the editorial rooms, large, light and pleas- ant. On the third floor is the composing room occupying the entire story, 66 by 60 feet in size.
The public improvements of Madison in 1870, were numer- ous and valuable. FISHER & REYNOLDS, furniture dealers, erected a fine building of Edgerton brick, on the corner of Pinckney and Clymer streets, 44 by 66 feet and 35 feet high, which cost about $7,000. Dr. J. B. BOWEN enlarged his stone block on Wisconsin avenue, by an addition 66 feet by 60, three stories high, to be used in part by ATWOOD & CULVER as a printing office, and is known as the State Journal Block. Cost about $12,000. Adjoining this block, J. N. JONES erected a building 22 by 60 feet, uniform with those connected with it, making the whole block 154 feet front on Washington avenue, and 60 feet deep, three stories high.
Prof. J. W. STERLING built a fine dwelling of Watertown brick on State street, near the State University, at a cost of about $6,000. Prof. S. H. CARPENTER, on block 80, Wisconsin avenue, built a brick dwelling. T. E. BIRD put up a brick building, 22 by 66, three stories, on Main street, costing $5,000. W. J. SULLIVAN's block, on Carroll street, which was destroyed by fire the year previous, was rebuilt and enlarged.
The legislature of 1870, appropriated $50,000 for the erection of a Female College building - the first instance of an appro- priation by the state for University buildings. With this amount, the Regents have built, during the year 1871, a fine stone structure 50 by 75 feet, with a wing 40 by 87 feet, all three stories high, and basement. It is provided with porticos, piazza, and ample halls and recitation rooms; the conveniences
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of water distribution, closets, furnaces, laundry, cooking range, etc. The basement arranged for domestic uses. The building was entirely completed, everything included, plans, specifica- tions, wells, cisterns, and building, at a cost of $46,570.36, leaving in the hands of the treasurer $3,429.64, which has been used in partially providing suitable furniture. The building for military drill and gymnastic purposes, was completed this year, as also the laboratory for analytical chemistry and metal- lurgy. The University grounds have been very much improved by cleaning up, opening roadways and putting out trees, and the older buildings have been generally repaired, painted, etc.
The spring election for city officers was a spirited one. For the office of Mayor, Dr. JAMES B. BOWEN* and W. T. LEITCH were opposing candidates. The latter received 752 votes, and the former 805, who was elected by 53 majority. For Treasur- er, MYRON T. BAILEY received 713 votes, and JOHN LEWIS, 862; the latter had a majority of 149. The Aldermen elected were: HENRY VILAS and JAS. CONKLIN, 1st ward; A. DAUBNER and C. P. CHAPMAN, 2d ward; J. G. OTT and W. H. KARNS, 3d ward; THOS. DEAN and ESTES WILSON, 4th ward.
The assessed valuation of city property, as published Aug .. 30, by N. L. ANDREWS, Assessor, was, personal property, $1,328,537; real estate, $2,757,704; total, $4,086,241.
From the report of the Board of Education, for 1871, it ap- pears that the whole number of students enrolled from Sep- tember 5, 1870, to July 1, 1871, was 2,437; number in attend- ance at time of making report, 1,134. Total amount of ex- penditures for the year, $29,149.56. During the year, a building was erected in the northeast district, of wood enclosed with
* Dr. James B. Bowen is a son of Jabez Bowen, a native of Rhode Isl- and. He was born at Killingly, Conn., Aug. 19, 1816. Before removing west he was engaged in the cotton manufacture, and carried on mills at. Stafford and Woodstock, Conn .; Warren, Mass., and at Rochester, N. Y. He subsequently studied medicine, and graduated in 1848, at Central Col- lege, and commenced practicing his profession at Providence, R. I., where he remained four years, when he removed to Madison, Wis., and has made it his residence to the present time. He was elected Mayor in the spring of 1871.
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brick walls, one story high, 26 by 42 feet, with school room of size to seat comfortably 65 scholars, and cost about $2,300. Extensive repairs were made on first and third ward school- houses.
The celebration of the 4th of July, 1871, was the most sat- isfactory one which had taken place for a number of years, with the exception of the sad accident which cost the life of one of our citizens, the cause of which was the premature dis- charge of the gun. One of the men in charge was terribly mangled, losing both of his arms. The name of the unfortu- nate man was JOHN BÆTZ, one of the employés of the State. He died the day following. The following persons were the officers of the day: President, Hon. DAVID ATWOOD; Orator, Hon. CHAS. E. DYER, of Racine; Reader, Col. W. F. VILAS; Chaplain, Rev. Dr. H. W. SPALDING. The procession, under direction of Hon. E. B. DEAN, with his assistants, passed through the principal streets to the park, where the exercises- were held. In the afternoon, a yacht race came off on Lake Monona, in which fifteen boats participated; and, subsequently, a race between the shell boats "Lady Fairchild " and "Kegon- sa." Among other amusements, was a tub-race of three six- geese teams; each tub was enclosed in a snow-shoe-shaped float, and the geese attached thereto by red ribbons tied to their wings. In the evening a display of fireworks completed the celebration.
The railroad enterprises of this year opened up to Madison two new outlets, and to a section of country that had long needed railroad facilities. Through the indefatigable efforts of Hon. JAS. CAMPBELL, the road to Portage City was completed the first week in January, 1871, and the first train arrived here on the 9th. This road is proposed to be extended to Grand Rapids and other points north as soon as possible, and, in con- nection therewith, a road to be built south to the Illinois State line, to connect with roads in that State. The other line of road runs northwest through Lodi, near Devil's Lake, and to Baraboo, and is to be extended to the Mississippi river and other points. The road was completed to Baraboo and a cele-
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bration was held at that place September 12. Both of these roads have been well patronized, and, in the summer season, the attractions of Devil's Lake and the Bluffs bring a large number of visitors from St. Louis, Cincinnati and other locali- ties, to spend a part of the season there.
The Park Hotel, which was commenced in 1870, was com- pleted, furnished and opened to the public in August, 1871. The following is a description of this elegant building, one of the handsomest of the kind in Wisconsin, if not the most costly :
" The location of the Hotel is on the corner of Main and Car- roll streets, or directly opposite the south corner of the Capitol Park. The ground upon which it stands is several feet higher than that upon which the State Capitol stands, and higher than any other point between Lakes Mendota and Monona. Its size is 116 feet upon Carroll street, fronting the Capitol Park, and 99 feet upon Main street. It is built of Milwaukee pressed, cream colored brick, with trimmings of the best of Madison stone, which makes a wall the most pleasing to the eye of anything used for this purpose; is four stories high, with Mansard roof of elaborate finish. On nearly the entire front on Carroll street, or towards Capitol. Park, is a broad two-story piazza. This front is to the northeast, where the sun only strikes it for a few hours in the morning, just when it is needed to dry it, thus rendering it one of the pleasantest places for recreation in warm weather that can be found. Upon Main street, also, a balcony runs along a portion of the building. The piazza is covered with a roof, and supported with light columns or pillars. The exterior of the building presents a most pleasing appearance, and is greatly admired by all who see it. In it there is no attempt at show, but there has been a neatness of design and execution that is very marked; and the result is a building of exquisite beauty and taste in its external appearance.
"Elegant and tasteful, however, as is the external appear- ance of this charming hotel, it is only an indication of its in- ternal arrangement and finish. Much attention has been be-
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stowed upon the plan of the house, with a view to its conveni- ence in every respect. Differing from most hotels in cities, this building is wholly used for the convenience of guests. The lower, and of course the best, story is not devoted to stores or other business uses, but the entrance to the office of the hotel is upon the corner of the first story. This room, or office, is large, and presents a very inviting appearance to the weary traveler as he enters it; and, to add to the attractions of the first entrance, there are two large and airy parlors adjoining the office, to be used for writing, or for conversational pur- poses. This is a remarkably pleasant feature of the house, and one that must give special satisfaction to guests. There is still another large room designed for a reading apartment. The dining rooms, large and elegant, and ball room, are also upon the first floor. But we need not particularize. It is enough to say, that this floor is devoted to the convenience of the ho- tel, and they are many and elegant.
"In the second story are the parlors, and numerous suites of rooms designed for families, fitted up with all the modern im- provements. This arrangement prevails throughout the house. All the rooms are pleasant and conveniently arranged. The views from them are those of surpassing beauty. On the one side we have a glimpse of the lake, with the finest landscape in the distance; on the other, the Capitol Park, the best business streets in the city, and so on, taking in a great variety of the most beautiful scenery to be found anywhere in this country. We venture the opinion, that no house in the west, or in the east either, can produce so many rooms from which are so many magnificent landscape views, as are to be found in the Park Hotel. It makes no difference whether the room be in the front or rear of the house - whether in the first, second, third or fourth story, the same beauty of scenery presents itself; and glimpses of some one of the lakes are seen from every room in the house. It is very difficult to decide upon a location in this house, with a view to its greatest pleasantness. Where all the rooms are so satisfactory, all guests must be pleased so far as room is concerned.
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"In the furnishing of this hotel, no pains or expense has been spared to make this part correspond fully in style with the magnificence of the building itself; and, at the same time, afford substantial comfort to the guests. The entire furniture is of walnut, oiled, and of the most substantial character, and of modern style. The parlor carpet is CROSSELEY's velvet. All the other carpets are English body Brussells, except those upon the fourth floor, and they are of the best Lowell manufacture. All the beds are furnished with hair mattrasses and steel ri ngs of the best quality that could be procured. The table furniture, as silver, china, glassware, etc., is superior to any- thing of the kind we have ever seen. Exquisite taste has been exhibited in the selection of these articles. In fine, everything about the furnishing of the house is entirely new and of the very best quality. It is heated by the most approved steam apparatus, and water, both hard and soft, is distributed through every part of the house, and for protection against fire, hose attachments are provided on every floor."
The Hotel has been leased to MARK H. IRISH, Esq., late of the Queen's Hotel, Toronto, and the Queen's Royal, at Niaga- ra. In these positions, Mr. IRISH has acquired a high reputa- tion as a superior hotel keeper.
The most elegant edifice completed this season, was the United States Court House and Post Office. It is located on the corner of Wisconsin avenue and Mifflin street, opposite the City Hall. It was built by the government without regard to expense, and by mechanics who were paid by the day under the direction of Col. S. V. SHIPMAN, Superintending Architect. It is a four story building above the basement, the corners and facings. constructed of Joliet marble, and Madison stone for inside walls. It is 113 feet in length, and about 70 feet in width; is built in the most modern style of architecture, and surmounted with a Mansard roof. The interior arrangements are complete in all respects. The first floor, occupied as the Post Office, is fitted up with all the modern improvements, has some 400 lock boxes, and nearly 2,000 other boxes. Many of the other boxes are trimmed with brass, and
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have oval glass lights arranged in the most tasty manner Back of the Post Office proper, are apartments for postmaster, chief clerk, the paymaster, cashier, etc.
In the second story are the offices of clerks of the courts, U. S. marshal, assessor and collector of internal revenue, judges, pension agent, etc.
The third story is occupied as United States District Court Room, and is in all respects the most elegant court room in the state and in the west.
The building is placed upon the most permanent and endur- ing foundations, extending some thirty feet into the earth, and it is literally fire proof, being built of stone and iron, except a few interior casings, which are of black walnut of the finest finish. The building is an ornament to the state and a credit to the government. To the energy of the late Hon. B. F. HOPKINS is due the credit of securing the building of this magnificent structure.
In a review of the improvements made in the city during the year, the Madison Democrat says: "Though this year now closing has been remarkable for hard times throughout the State, owing to the short crops of 1870, and other causes, it has, nevertheless, been characterized by great advancement in all that tends to make a people great and prosperous. In increased railroad facilities and public improvements, the state has never made more rapid growth than in the past year, and Madison has made the same progress in all that tends to its substantial prosperity."
We give an abstract of some of the more important improve- ments: In February, the building on the corner of Pinckney and Clymer streets, known as the VAN BERGEN block, built in 1855 by P. H. VAN BERGEN, Esq., having come into possession of R. M. HOOLEY, Esq., the building was thoroughly re-modeled and arranged for an Opera House at a cost of about $6,000. It has all the modern improvements of a building designed for such purposes, with balcony circles, stage 60 by 30 feet, drop curtain, full set of scenery, etc., with a seating capacity of 800 to 1,000 persons. This is a building much needed for public occasions.
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Dr. J. E. BAKER completed his new block, corner of Pinckney street and Washington avenue, one of the most handsome as well as most substantial in the city, and was built at a cost of about $30,000. The walls are of colored Madison sandstone. It is one of the most imposing buildings we have, and is greatly admired for its fine architectural appearance. It is occupied by the Park's Saving's Bank and two stores on the first floor on Pinckney street, the upper stories for insurance and other offices.
The Democrat Block, on Mifflin street, uear Carroll street, was built by FISH & STEVENS, of Madison stone; is 66 feet front and 60 feet deep. The cost of the building is about $11,000; is two full stories with basement. The upper portion is used for the printing office of the Democrat, and the first floor for three stores.
The Ellsworth Block is on Pinkney street, facing the Capitol, and is 45 feet front, 80 feet deep, and three stories high; has two stores on first floor, the second floor for offices, and the third arranged with special reference to Prof. WORTHINGTON's Business College. The building cost about $12,500
In the earlier part of this history, reference was made to the old Messersmith House, on Pinckney street. Some additional information in reference to this building and events connected with its history, may be interesting.
In the month of April, of this year (1871), Mr. FRITZ MÆDER having purchased the lot on which the building was standing, adjoining the Ellsworth Block, took it down to make room for the fine brick building which now occupies its site.
In referring to the taking down of this house, Gen. ATWOOD, in an article in the State Journal of April 26, gives an interest- ing account of its history, from which liberal extracts have been taken.
. " In the autumn of 1837, SIMEON MILLS, with JOHN MES- SERSMITH, began the building now demolished, and its timbers were enclosed that fall. Mr. MILLS subsequently disposed of of his interest to MESSERSMITH, who completed the building in the summer of 1838. Of saw mills, there were none in all this
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region in those days, and so the beams were hewn, the clap- boards, shingles and lath rived from oaks on the ground, as well as the facilities admitted, the building was finished in the fall of 1838. MESSERSMITH opened " a wet grocery " in the lower part of the building, and in the upper story, Mr. BURROUGHS, of Iowa county, unchained the "Tiger " for the first time in Madison. It was the regular Bengal animal, whose superior has never been seen here since, and where it was kept was the great place of resort for those who loved excitement, or sought amusement, indeed for everybody, for there was almost no- where else to go, neither churches, libraries, theatres or lec- tures. Society was unformed, the few houses were crowded, and gambling was accounted equally respectable with any other occupation of that time. Money was abundant, and cir- culated freely, was easily got and carelessly spent. BURROUGHS and others in the ring " made cords of money " out of their dupes, and we have heard that the riches of the man who ran the saloon down stairs, mainly took wings and flew to the up- per story out of his reach. Many a scene of despair has doubt- less been witnessed in the old building, which would be a war- ning to all in danger from the vice of gambling."
Mr. MÆDER's building is two stories, of stone, and is occu- pied by himself with his large stock of fancy goods and confec- tionery. The building cost about $6,000.
Another valuable public improvement made this year, was the " Reaper Works," erected by J. H. GARNHARDT, Esq., on the east end of Washington avenue, on block 223. It is built- of white brick, and is as near fire-proof as is possible to make it. It is 175 feet long, with a wing on each end, 58 feet, ex- clusive of stone house, a switch of the Chicago and Northwest- ern Railroad runs to the coal house for receiving coal and lum- ber. The manufacture of reapers is to be the principal business.
HIRAM BROWN & Co. Lave put up an establishment at the foot of Main street, 22 feet front and 114 feet deep, exclusive of engine room. It is built of brick, and cost, with the ma- chinery in it, about $20,000, and is designed for the manufac-
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ture of Anderson's agricultural steamer and low pressure steam heating apparatus. It will give employment to about twenty men.
F. A. OGDEN. Esq., has enlarged and greatly improved his block on Carroll street, west of the "Grace church." The block is 46 feet front and 40 feet deep, two stories high. and built of white brick, at an expense of $3,000.
FITCH & McGOVERN, on Main street, near the court house, have two fine brick stores, at a cost of $8,000.
Gen. SIMEON MILLS has erected a two-story building on the corner of Main and Wisconsin avenue (on the site of his former residence), and is occupied by PARDEE & BRO's, druggists, and offices on the second floor.
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