Old Market Place in Madison in Dane County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Robert Lamp House

1903

Photographed By William J. Toman, June 29, 2010

1. Robert Lamp House Marker

Inscription. This unusual midblock residence was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for his boyhood friend, "Robie" Lamp, a realtor and insurance salesman. The simple, boxy shape of the house, with its open floor plan, was very modern for the time. Wright called it "New American" in style, while the diamond-paned casement windows were "Old English" in inspiration. The penthouse on the roof is a later addition, replacing an elegant roof garden complete with grape arbors and a greenhouse. Please respect the privacy of the residents.

Erected 1976 by Madison Landmarks Commission. (Marker Number 42.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Horticulture & Forestry • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin, Madison Landmarks Commission series list.

Location. 43° 4.624′ N, 89° 22.946′ W. Marker is in Madison, Wisconsin, in Dane County. It is in Old Market Place. Marker can be reached from North Butler Street, 0.1 miles north of East Washington Avenue, on the left when traveling north. The marker and house are in the middle of the block, and can be accessed by a path between the houses at 20 and 24 N. Butler St. Touch for map.

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Marker is at or near this postal address: 22 North Butler 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. Draper Brothers Block (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Belmont Hotel (about 500 feet away); American Exchange Bank (about 500 feet away); Winterbotham Building (about 500 feet away); Olson and Veerhusen Building / Hobbins Block (about 500 feet away); American House (about 500 feet away); Maeder Building / Ellsworth Block (about 500 feet away); Outdoor markets are a Madison tradition (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Madison.

Regarding Robert Lamp House. According to the Madison Landmarks Commission, "It is ironic, given the controversy that surrounded Frank Lloyd Wright's life and the near veneration that his buildings now inspire, that the earliest surviving example of his work in his boyhood hometown is all but unknown to most Madisonians. Certainly the site of the house is partly to blame since it is located in the center of the block bounded by Butler, Mifflin, Webster and East Washington, where it is screened from view by the buildings that are placed around the block's perimeter.

"Wright's client was his boyhood companion and lifelong friend, Robert M. Lamp, who by 1903

Photographed By William J. Toman, June 29, 2010

2. Robert Lamp House Marker

The front, northeast side of the house. The marker is on the wall next to the steps.

had become a successful travel, real estate and insurance agent. Lamp's two-story flat-roofed house is of brick construction and its cubical form gives it a distinctly urban feeling that is in keeping with its location a block from the capitol square. Wright's design also originally included an elaborate roof top garden, an amenity that disappeared in 1913 when the garden was enclosed and turned into an apartment. Lamp's Butler Street house is actually the second of his homes that Wright had a hand in designing. The first was a now vanished summer cottage known as 'Rocky Roost' for the small island [it] occupied in Lake Mendota."

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This is a Frank Lloyd Wright marker with links to other markers relating to the architect.

Also see . . . Robert Lamp House - Wikipedia. (Submitted on July 5, 2010, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)

Robert Lamp House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William J. Toman, June 29, 2010

3. Robert Lamp House

The back of the house.

Photographed By William J. Toman, June 29, 2010

4. Robert Lamp House

The southeast side of the house.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 29, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,561 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 29, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 4. submitted on June 30, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.