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

Fuller & Johnson Manufacturing Co. Office Building

1885; Additions c. 1892 and 1909

Photographed By William J. Toman, February 2, 2012

1. Fuller & Johnson Manufacturing Co. Office Building Marker

Inscription. This building is significant for its association with Madison's industrial history. It is all that remains of the once expansive Fuller & Johnson Manufacturing Co., a producer of farm implements and the first major industry in Madison. The building is also significant for its association with John A. Johnson, the firm's president. Johnson, a former state senator, was a leading industrialist credited with establishing Madison as a manufacturing center, and who organized Madison's two largest turn of the century manufacturing firms (Fuller & Johnson and Gisholt Manufacturing Co).

Designated September 7, 2004

Erected 2012 by the Madison Landmarks Commission. (Marker Number 163.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin, Madison Landmarks Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 7, 1751.

Location. 43° 5.309′ N, 89° 21.9′ W. Marker is in Madison, Wisconsin, in Dane County. It is in Tenney-Lapham. Marker is at the intersection of East Washington Avenue (U.S. 151) and North Dickinson Street, on the right when traveling west on East Washington Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1344 East Washington Avenue, Madison WI 53703, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8

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other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Gisholt Machine Company Manufacturing Complex (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Steensland Bridge (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Steensland Bridge (approx. 0.2 miles away); John A. Johnson made Madison's Factory District Flourish (approx. ¼ mile away); Tenney Park (approx. ¼ mile away); Burr Jones Field (approx. ¼ mile away); Sixth Ward Public Library (approx. 0.3 miles away); Yahara River Parkway (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Madison.

Regarding Fuller & Johnson Manufacturing Co. Office Building. According to the Madison Landmarks Commission, "This relatively small office building is all that remains intact of the once sprawling Fuller & Johnson Manufacturing Company. It was built largely in an industrial vernacular mode but features a classically styled main entrance. Most of the former complex was located across Dickinson St. from this site. One of its founders, John A. Johnson, also started the Gisholt Machine Co. on E. Washington Ave., and was a powerful catalyst for turning Madison into an important manufacturing center in the 1880s."

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. These are markers that mention John A. Johnson. The page for the first

Photographed By William J. Toman, February 9, 2012

2. Fuller & Johnson Manufacturing Co. Office Building Marker

The original, 1885 building is the hipped-roof, two-story structure in the middle, with the one-story 1892 addition on the right. The two-story, flat-roofed 1909 addition is on the left. The marker is in the middle of this portion of the building, just visible behind the tree.

one includes a photo of the nearby gravestone of his parents, which mentions their hometown of Gisholt.

Fuller & Johnson Manufacturing Co. Office Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William J. Toman, February 2, 2012

3. Fuller & Johnson Manufacturing Co. Office Building

This is the back of the building, with the three phases of construction again clearly visible.

Fuller & Johnson Manufacturing Co. Office Building Main Entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William J. Toman, February 2, 2012

4. Fuller & Johnson Manufacturing Co. Office Building Main Entrance

This is a closeup of the "classically styled" main entrance mentioned by the Madison Landmarks Commission.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 2, 2012, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,050 times since then and 65 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 2, 2012, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 2. submitted on February 22, 2012, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 3, 4. submitted on February 2, 2012, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin.