Madison in Dane County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Mansion Hill Historic District
Photographed By William J. Toman, December 4, 2010
1. Mansion Hill Historic District Marker
Known variously as Yankee Hill, Aristocrat Hill and Big Bug Hill, the area north of the Capitol Square near Lake Mendota was selected by Madison's business, political, and academic elites in the 19th century for their homes. Successuful bankers, timber barons, real estate promoters, railroad lawyers, University regents, professors, governors, judges and mayors resided on the hill. The seed of the Wisconsin Idea may have been planted by informal discussion and formal associations among these neighbors when they cooperated to determine public policy and direct the course of events. Large residences of dressed stone, fancy brickwork and elaborate carpentry testified to their position and taste. While outstanding structures are individually designated landmarks marked with plaques, the entire district reflects the fabric of an upper-class turn of the century neighborhood[.]Erected 1976 by the Madison Landmarks Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places.
Location. 43° 4.725′ N, 89° 23.185′ W. Marker is in Madison, Wisconsin, in Dane County. Marker is at the intersection
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Period Garden Park (here, next to this marker); Timothy Brown House (a few steps from this marker); Keyes House (within shouting distance of this marker); Bashford House (within shouting distance of this marker); Pierce House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Kendall House (about 300 feet away); Old Governor's Mansion (about 400 feet away); Keenan House (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Madison.
Regarding Mansion Hill Historic District. Mansion Hill is the residential neighborhood north of the Square in downtown Madison. Its heart is the corner of Gilman and Pinckney Streets, where four Victorian mansions evoke an aura of yesteryear. In the 19th century, Mansion Hill was one of Madison's two most prestigious neighborhoods (the other, along East and West Wilson Street, has been mostly obliterated by time). Mansion Hill contains the greatest concentration of intact Victorian houses remaining in Madison, many of which were the homes of Madison's pioneer movers-and-shakers.
In the 1950s, '60s and '70s several of the finest old houses in Mansion Hill were demolished to make way for anonymous apartment buildings and two large
Photographed By William J. Toman, December 4, 2010
2. Mansion Hill Historic District Marker
The Mansion Hill Historic District marker is on the left and the Period Park Marker is located on the right.
From the Historic Preservation Website http://www.cityofmadison.com/planning/landmark/LndmrkHist.html
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. This is a list of markers for buildings in the Mansion Hill Historic District.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 6, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 4, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,735 times since then and 176 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 4, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
