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

John M. Olin

1851 - 1924

Photographed By William J. Toman, October 13, 2010

1. John M. Olin Marker

Inscription.
A trust fund established by Mr. Olin President of the Madison Park and Pleasure Drive Association from 1894 to 1910, made possible the construction of architectural features in this garden

Erected 1953.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Charity & Public Work. A significant historical year for this entry is 1894.

Location. 43° 5.549′ N, 89° 20.121′ W. Marker is in Madison, Wisconsin, in Dane County. Marker can be reached from Atwood Avenue, 0.2 miles west of Walter Street, on the right when traveling west. The marker is located in the gardens of Olbrich Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3330 Atwood Avenue, Madison WI 53704, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Olbrich Park (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Starkweather's Harried History (about 500 feet away); Olbrich's Thai Pavilion and Gardens (about 600 feet away); Third Lake Passage (approx. 0.2 miles away); Garver Feed & Supply Company (approx. 0.2 miles away); Riley House (approx. 0.3 miles away); "Let The Great Spirits Soar" (approx. 0.3 miles away); Bear and Lynx Effigy Mounds (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Madison.

Regarding John M. Olin. According to

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an undated pamphlet published by the Olbrich Botanical Gardens and entitled Olbrich Botanical Gardens, A Brief History [see the link included below], "The first work towards establishing the gardens began in 1952 when the Olin Trust Fund gave the Madison Parks Commission $22,688 to begin development. This resulted in the twin shelter buildings that are still extant today [see photos entitled "Shelter Buildings" and "Closeup of Shelter Building"] and in the large formal space behind them that was originally the Rose Mall [see photo entitled "Original Rose Mall"]. Another grant from the Olin Fund in 1957 gave the gardens its first greenhouse, a structure that was soon expanded to serve as an informal center for area gardeners."

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. This is a list of markers that mention John Olin.

Also see . . . Olbrich Botanical Gardens. Website homepage (Submitted on October 19, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin.)

Photographed By William J. Toman, October 13, 2010

2. John M. Olin Marker

The marker is on the stone tower, which the Olbrich librarian said was a chimney for the old greenhouses. She also noted that most of the "architectural features" mentioned in the marker have been replaced over the years.

Shelter Buildings image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William J. Toman, October 19, 2010

3. Shelter Buildings

The shelter buildings are on the far right and the far left, with the Bolz Conservancy in the background.

Closeup of Shelter Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William J. Toman, October 19, 2010

4. Closeup of Shelter Building

Original Rose Mall image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William J. Toman, October 19, 2010

5. Original Rose Mall

View of Original Rose Mall from Shelter Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William J. Toman, October 19, 2010

6. View of Original Rose Mall from Shelter Building

Rose Garden Fountain and Tower at Olbrich Gardens image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William J. Toman, October 16, 2010

7. Rose Garden Fountain and Tower at Olbrich Gardens

Weeping Wall in the Rose Garden at Olbrich Gardens image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William J. Toman, October 16, 2010

8. Weeping Wall in the Rose Garden at Olbrich Gardens

Credits. This page was last revised on June 18, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 16, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 813 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 16, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 19, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 7, 8. submitted on October 18, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.