Ripon in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

300 Watson Street

Mapes Hotel 1850s

— Ripon Wisconsin History —

300 Watson Street Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joel Seewald, April 11, 2026

1. 300 Watson Street Marker

Inscription. The Mapes Hotel is one of the oldest buildings in downtown Ripon. It was built in the 1850s as the Mapes House by Timothy Mapes, son of Ripon co-founder David Mapes. After surviving major fire damage in the early 1900s and threat of demolition more recently, it has been rescued and renovated as a boutique hotel.

Troop 735 Eagle Project

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce.

Location. 43° 50.649′ N, 88° 50.337′ W. Marker is in Ripon, Wisconsin, in Fond du Lac County. It is on Watson Street near Blossom Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 Watson Street, Ripon WI 54971, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Wisconsin’s Fox River Valley.

It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Long Way Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Ripon College (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); 401 Watson Street (about 500 feet away); First Congregational Church of Ripon (about 500 feet away); Birthplace of the Republican Party (about 600 feet away); Rotary Square (about 600 feet away); Grand View Hotel (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Baptist Church of Ripon (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ripon.

Another marker is no longer nearby.

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401 Watson Street (was about 500 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Photographed by Joel Seewald, April 11, 2026

2. 300 Watson Street Marker

Marker is at the corner on the right.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 27, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2026, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 27, 2026, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.