Tenney-Lapham in Madison in Dane County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Thomas / Hill Grocery and Residence
c. 1850; moved 1901, 1912
Photographed By William J. Toman, April 6, 2012
1. Thomas / Hill Grocery and Residence Marker
Inscription.
Thomas, also, Hill Grocery and Residence. c. 1850; moved 1901, 1912. These vernacular buildings are significant for their association with, and are among the last vestiges of, Madison's first African-American community. Both were moved to the site by African-American civic leader, John Turner. The two-story, gable-front building was moved in 1901 to provide a meeting place for the Douglass Beneficial Society and later adapted for use as a grocery by Rev. C. Thomas. The 1 ½ story house was moved in 1912 as the parsonage for the St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1917 both were sold to John W. Hill who continued to operate the grocery store until c. 1980., Designated July 16, 1991
These vernacular buildings are significant for their association with, and are among the last vestiges of, Madison's first African-American community. Both were moved to the site by African-American civic leader, John Turner. The two-story, gable-front building was moved in 1901 to provide a meeting place for the Douglass Beneficial Society and later adapted for use as a grocery by Rev. C. Thomas. The 1 ½ story house was moved in 1912 as the parsonage for the St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1917 both were sold to John W. Hill who continued to operate the grocery store until c. 1980.
Designated July 16, 1991
Erected 2012 by the Madison Landmarks Commission. (Marker Number 96.)
Location. 43° 4.868′ N, 89° 22.736′ W. Marker is in Madison, Wisconsin, in Dane County. It is in Tenney-Lapham. Marker is at the intersection of East Dayton Street and North Blount Street on East Dayton Street. Touch for map.
Click or scan to see this page online
Marker is at or near this postal address: 649 East Dayton Street, Madison WI 53703, United States of America. Touch for directions.
The marker is on the ground to the left of the steps.
Photographed By William J. Toman, July 4, 2010
3. John Hill in front of his grocery store
This photo is on the nearby "Here was Madison's first African-American neighborhood" marker.
Photographed By William J. Toman, July 4, 2010
4. Thomas / Hill Grocery and Residence
The Thomas / Hill house is just behind the nearby "Here was Madison's first African-American neighborhood" marker in the foreground, with the former Hill's Grocery building attached on the right. The Miller house, with its own marker, is just beyond the former Hill's Grocery building.
Photographed By William J. Toman, July 4, 2010
5. Hill's Grocery Store Building
Photographed By William J. Toman, July 4, 2010
6. Hill's Grocery
The windows to the right of the front door of the former Hill's Grocery building still bear the name as seen in photo no. 3 above.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 7, 2012, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 637 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on April 7, 2012, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 4, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin.