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

Thorstrand

The Magnus Swenson Estate

— 1922 —

Thorstrand Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William J. Toman, August 12, 2011

1. Thorstrand Marker

Inscription. These two Mediterranean Revival mansions were designed for Magnus and Annie Swenson and their daughter Mary North by Madison architects Law and Law. Swenson was a Norwegian immigrant who became an internationally famous inventor and humanitarian. Among his many and varied activities, Swenson patented over 200 machines and processes, built hydroelectric dams on the Wisconsin River, and founded the Norwegian-American Steamship Lines. Please respect the privacy of the occupants.

Erected 1979 by the Madison Landmarks Commission. (Marker Number 60.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Norwegian-Americans, and the Wisconsin, Madison Landmarks Commission series lists.

Location. 43° 5.506′ N, 89° 28.903′ W. Marker is in Madison, Wisconsin, in Dane County. It can be reached from Thorstrand Road 0.2 miles north of University Avenue, on the right when traveling north. The houses described by the marker were acquired by the City of Madison in 1978 as part of an expansion of Marshall Park. The marker is next to a Marshall

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Park path along Lake Mendota between the mansions and the lake. The path can be accessed from Marshall Park on the west or a park service road off of Thorstrand Road from the east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 - 2 Thorstrand Road, Madison WI 53705, United States 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: Hickory Hill House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Hocheera (approx. 0.6 miles away); Early Social Whirl (approx. ¾ mile away); The Lemcke Farm House (approx. 1.1 miles away); The Stamm House (approx. 1.1 miles away); Mendota (approx. 1.3 miles away); Blackhawk Country Club Mound Group (approx. 1.4 miles away); Pheasant Branch Encampment (approx. 2.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Madison.

Photographed by William J. Toman, August 12, 2011

2. Thorstrand Marker

One of the mansions is visible in the background.

Photographed by William J. Toman, August 12, 2011

3. Thorstrand Marker

Another view of the marker (in the lower right) and one of the mansions in the background. A complete photo record of the mansions was not available without invading the privacy of the residents.

Entrance to Thorstrand image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William J. Toman, August 12, 2011

4. Entrance to Thorstrand

The entrance to the estate is marked by this "Private Drive" sign.

Access to Thorstrand Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William J. Toman, August 12, 2011

5. Access to Thorstrand Marker

The marker can be accessed from Marshall Park to the west, or from the east via this park service road to the right of the "Private Drive" sign just before the mansions.

Thorstrand Road image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William J. Toman, August 12, 2011

6. Thorstrand Road

This is the entrance to Thorstrand Road near University Avenue.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 10, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 12, 2011, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,649 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 13, 2011, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin.