Spring Harbor in Madison in Dane County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Hickory Hill House

1842

Photographed by William J. Toman, August 6, 2011

1. Hickory Hill House Marker

Inscription. A very early Madison sandstone house this farm dwelling was presumably constructed for John G. Hicks, a New Yorker. In 1854 James P. Falkner, a speculator, bought the house hoping to develop "Mendota Village" around it. His assets were wiped out by a recession a few years later. Exemplary of a pioneer farmstead, originally the site included a half-mile of Lake Mendota shoreline, outbuildings, and a 70-foot hand-dug well.

Erected 1975 by the Madison Landmarks Commission. (Marker Number 37.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin, Madison Landmarks Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.

Location. 43° 5.186′ N, 89° 28.672′ W. Marker is in Madison, Wisconsin, in Dane County. It is in the Spring Harbor. It can be reached from Hickory Drive 0.1 miles east of University Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1721 Hickory Drive, Madison WI 53705, United States

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of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Wisconsin. 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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Hocheera (approx. ¼ mile away); Thorstrand (approx. 0.4 miles away); Blackhawk Country Club Mound Group (approx. one mile away); Early Social Whirl (approx. 1.1 miles away); The Lemcke Farm House (approx. 1.2 miles away); The Stamm House (approx. 1½ miles away); Mendota (approx. 1.6 miles away); Hoyt Park (approx. 2.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Madison.

Regarding Hickory Hill House. According to the Madison Landmarks Commission, "This old farmhouse was probably built around the year 1860 for the Samuel Grubb family. The Grubbs farmed on the property until around 1866 when the Roder family bought it. They

Photographed by William J. Toman, August 6, 2011

2. Hickory Hill House Marker

The marker is to the right of the front door.

ran a market garden here for about 30 years, on their 130 acre farm, which at that time extended northward to the Lake Mendota shore. Later the Baker family farmed here for about forty years (hence the name of Baker Ave., which runs along the east side of the lot). The farm's close proximity to the city no doubt made the gardening of fruits and vegetables for market a lucrative activity. The house is significant because it is made of our native Madison sandstone."

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 7, 2011, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 3,401 times since then and 212 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 7, 2011, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin.