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

Nelson House

1881

Photographed by William J. Toman, October 27, 2012

1. Nelson House Marker

Inscription. The Nelson house is a beautiful example of a vernacular gabled-front type from the era of Madison's earliest residential development. The house features a simple façade of brick, a street-facing gable and regular placement of windows. Ornament is derived from the windows - arched frames, stone sills and Italianate style segmental hoods over the windows - and the oculus under the gable. The portico is not original but is of the style of the house. Vernacular building types were popular in Madison between 1840 and 1925, but intact examples are now rare due to demolition and alteration.

Designated October 15, 2002

Erected 2012 by the Madison Landmarks Commission. (Marker Number 160.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin, Madison Landmarks Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 15, 1650.

Location. 43° 4.641′ N, 89° 22.694′ W. Marker is in Madison, Wisconsin, in Dane County. It is in Old Market Place. It is at the intersection of East Main Street and North Franklin Street, on the right when traveling west on East Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 504 East Main Street, Madison WI 53703, 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

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markers are within walking distance of this marker: Mattermore - Malaney House (here, next to this marker); Emily Thompson House (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Patrick's Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Wisconsin Wagon Company Factory (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Tragedy of War (about 800 feet away); Johann and Elsbeth Reiner Tree (about 800 feet away); Madison Gas & Electric Company Powerhouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); Machinery Row (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Madison.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Cardinal Hotel (was about 600 feet away but has been confirmed missing).

Regarding Nelson House. According to the Madison Landmarks Commission, "The Nelson House is a brick version of a nineteenth-century front gable house, a simple vernacular form built on a rectangular plan with its gable end facing the street. This type was commonly built in Wisconsin between the 1840s and the 1920s. Examples are usually small or medium in size. Front gable houses were typically built by working families and are simply decorated. This quite intact house features a simple cornice, a stone water table, and an oculus window in the front gable end."

Photographed by William J. Toman, October 27, 2012

2. Nelson House Marker

The marker is on the ground next to the sidewalk in front of the house, which is at the bottom of this photo.

Nelson House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William J. Toman, October 27, 2012

3. Nelson House

Photographed by William J. Toman, October 27, 2012

4. Nelson House

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 29, 2012, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 623 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 29, 2012, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin.