State-Langdon in Madison in Dane County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Van Slyke House

1859

Photographed By William J. Toman, June 30, 2010

1. Van Slyke House Marker

Inscription. This Italianate sandstone house, originally built for local hardware dealer Samuel Fox, exemplifies a regionally distinctive alternating pattern in its masonry. In 1860, transplanted New Yorker, Napoleon Bonaparte Van Slyke, the cashier of the Dane County Bank and later president of the First National Bank, bought the house and lived in it until his death forty-nine years later.

Erected 1972 by Madison Landmarks Commission. (Marker Number 9.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin, Madison Landmarks Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.

Location. 43° 4.651′ N, 89° 23.417′ W. Marker is in Madison, Wisconsin, in Dane County. It is in State-Langdon. Marker is on North Carroll Street, 0.1 miles north of East Gorham Street, on the left when traveling north. The marker is on the ground by the sidewalk in front of the house. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 510 North Carroll Street, Madison WI 53703, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Beecroft House (a few steps from this marker); James Mears House (within shouting distance of this marker); World-famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright called Madison his hometown

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(about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Suhr House (about 300 feet away); Phi Gamma Delta House (about 300 feet away); Breese J. Stevens House (about 400 feet away); Wootton - Mead House (about 400 feet away); Quisling Towers Apartments (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Madison.

Regarding Van Slyke House. According to the Madison Landmarks Commission, "Originally built for Samuel Fox, a successful hardware merchant, the house was soon sold to Napoleon Bonaparte Van Slyke and his second wife Annie. One of the most important players in the development of Madison, Van Slyke came to Madison from New York state in 1853 and helped form the first abstract and title company and one of the first banks. He was also one of the first regents of the UW, serving for over 30 years, and was quartermaster for Camp Randall during the Civil War. ...

"The house is a refined and skillfully detailed example of the Italianate style that can compete in excellence, if not necessarily size, with the best Italianate style houses in the country. The stonework is also rare and beautiful. It is done

Van Slyke House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William J. Toman, June 30, 2010

2. Van Slyke House

in a form of stone laying known as 'block and stack' in which large blocks are alternated with smaller stones and then the whole wall is covered in raised mortar joints to highlight the variation in stone sizes. This is a Germanic technique that may be unique in the United States to the Dane County-Sauk County area."

Van Slyke House Front Door image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William J. Toman, June 30, 2010

3. Van Slyke House Front Door

The marker is on the ground by the sidewalk in front of the house.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 30, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,290 times since then and 36 times this year. Last updated on July 5, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 30, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.