Madison in Dane County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Thorstrand
The Magnus Swenson Estate
— 1922 —
Photographed By William J. Toman, August 12, 2011
1. Thorstrand Marker
Inscription.
Thorstrand. The Magnus Swenson Estate. These two Mediterranean Revival mansions were designed for Magnus and Annie Swenson and their daughter Mary North by Madison architects Law and Law. Swenson was a Norwegian immigrant who became an internationally famous inventor and humanitarian. Among his many and varied activities, Swenson patented over 200 machines and processes, built hydroelectric dams on the Wisconsin River, and founded the Norwegian-American Steamship Lines. Please respect the privacy of the occupants.
These two Mediterranean Revival mansions were designed for Magnus and Annie Swenson and their daughter Mary North by Madison architects Law and Law. Swenson was a Norwegian immigrant who became an internationally famous inventor and humanitarian. Among his many and varied activities, Swenson patented over 200 machines and processes, built hydroelectric dams on the Wisconsin River, and founded the Norwegian-American Steamship Lines. Please respect the privacy of the occupants.
Erected 1979 by the Madison Landmarks Commission. (Marker Number 60.)
Location. 43° 5.506′ N, 89° 28.903′ W. Marker is in Madison, Wisconsin, in Dane County. Marker can be reached from Thorstrand Road, 0.2 miles north of University Avenue, on the right when traveling north. The houses described by the marker were acquired by the City of Madison in 1978 as part of an expansion of Marshall Park. The marker is next to a Marshall
Click or scan to see this page online
Park path along Lake Mendota between the mansions and the lake. The path can be accessed from Marshall Park on the west or a park service road off of Thorstrand Road from the east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 - 2 Thorstrand Road, Madison WI 53705, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Another view of the marker (in the lower right) and one of the mansions in the background. A complete photo record of the mansions was not available without invading the privacy of the residents.
Photographed By William J. Toman, August 12, 2011
4. Entrance to Thorstrand
The entrance to the estate is marked by this "Private Drive" sign.
Photographed By William J. Toman, August 12, 2011
5. Access to Thorstrand Marker
The marker can be accessed from Marshall Park to the west, or from the east via this park service road to the right of the "Private Drive" sign just before the mansions.
Photographed By William J. Toman, August 12, 2011
6. Thorstrand Road
This is the entrance to Thorstrand Road near University Avenue.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 10, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 12, 2011, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,233 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 13, 2011, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin.