Madison in Dane County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Fess Hotel
1858, 1901
Photographed By Gordon Govier, June 24, 2010
1. Fess Hotel Marker
Erected 1975 by Madison Landmarks Commission. (Marker Number 38.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin, Madison Landmarks Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1901.
Location. 43° 4.472′ N, 89° 22.817′ W. Marker is in Madison, Wisconsin, in Dane County. Marker is at the intersection of East Doty Street and Webster and King Streets, on the right on East Doty Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 123 East Doty 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. Dick-Eddy Buildings (a few steps from this marker); Peck Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); Eben and Rosaline Peck (within
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Regarding Fess Hotel. According to the Madison Landmarks Commission, "The Fess Hotel was established on this site ca. 1856 by George Fess, an immigrant from England. Fess had previously run a grocery store and eating house on the site. The western half of the existing building was built of cream brick in 1883 in the same design as the original part of the hotel, which was to the west where the Government East parking ramp is today. The original portion was demolished long ago. Because the cream brick section was built to mimic the 1850s design of the hotel, it has an old-fashioned configuration of residential windows on the first floor which was a feature of most buildings erected in Madison and around the country up until plate glass was invented in the 1860s.
Photographed By Gordon Govier, June 24, 2010
2. Fess Hotel
The eastern, Queen Anne style portion of the building.
"The Fess Hotel business served railroad travelers, legislators, and weekly boarders. The operation, which took up a large part of the block, also included a saloon, dining room, barber shop, ice house and a livery that could stable up to 60 horses. The hotel remained in the Fess family until it was sold in 1973 to be renovated as a restaurant."
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Markers for other buildings designed by Gordon & Paunack.
Also see . . . Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co. The current occupant of the building (and adjacent building) with additional background on the Fess Hotel building. (Submitted on July 12, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin.)
Additional commentary.
1. Perry T. Fess
My father—Perry T. Fess—died in April of 1973 and my mother kept it running for 1 or 2 more years. I also remember being told the hotel was started by my great grandfather in 1848. I wonder about the accuracy of the dates on the marker. Note To Editor only visible by Contributor and editor
Photographed By Gordon Govier, June 24, 2010
3. Fess Hotel
The eastern, Queen Anne style portion of the building.
— Submitted December 1, 2011, by Barbara Alice Fess of San Miguel De Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico.
Additional keywords. Architecture
Photographed By William J. Toman, July 12, 2010
4. Fess Hotel
The western portion of the building, with the Government East parking ramp on the right. The marker is between the two portions of the building in the lower left.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 3, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 24, 2010, by Gordon Govier of Fitchburg, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 2,212 times since then and 46 times this year. Last updated on July 12, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 24, 2010, by Gordon Govier of Fitchburg, Wisconsin. 4. submitted on July 12, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
