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=s' PS*/tyles of architecture * changed like hemlines during ' Janesville’s early years as the city reflected the changing national ‘ trends.While original log homes are long gone, many other examples of architecturual history remain in Janesville. Here’s a rundown of the different styles and existing examples of each with the approximate construction date:Greek Revival architecture was the earliest style to hit Janesville. One of the first, built in 1848, is still in existence at 121 N. Parker.This rectangular.style features orderly door and window arrangements designed to give an overall clean, balanced effect. These homes often have returned cornices and pedimented fronts, delicate eave moldings and corner pillar-like touches. Other examples include the Greek Revival house at 233 S. Main, built about 1845, homes at 1218 Ruger (1850) and 903 McKinley (1855).Gothic Revival came next. Based on Medieval Europe, the style has tall, narrow windows, angular dripmolding with pointed arches and steep roofs. Among examples is the home at 219 E. Centerway, built as a honeymoon cottage around 1840, and homes at 317 Madison (1855), 303 Cornelia (1860) and 1246 N. Parker (1860).Combining elements of both Greek Revival and Gothic Revival is the “Belle Cottage” located at 1837 Center. Built in 1854, of three-inch round cobblestones, the home is one of 13 remaining cobblestone houses in Rock County and the only one with Gothic details.The Lappin and Fredenhall blocks on Main Street were characteristic of Italianate architecture. The style remained popular in the 1850s and ’60s. It featured elaborate window hoods, cornice details, cupolas and towers.The Tallman House is another example of Italiante architecture as is the home at 55 S. Atwood.Built in 1858 it has significantE. Milwaukee St(1) 55 S. Atwood(2) 69 S. Atwood(3) 118 S. Atwood(4) 122$. Atwood(5) 509 E. Court(6) 521 E. Court(7) 602 E. Court(8) 603 E. Court(9) 606 E. Court(10)611 E. Court(11) 612 E. Court(12) 618 E. Court(13) 619 E. Court(14) 622 E. Court(15) 623 E. Court(16) 702 E . Court(17) 703 E. Court(18) 706 E. Court(19) 712 E. Court(20) 713 E. Court(21) 717 E . Court(22) 720 E. Court(23) 117 S. Division(24) 215 S. Division(25) 216 S. Division(26) 28 Harrison(27) 220 E. Holmes(28) 221 E. Holmes(29) 115 Jackman(30) 120 Jackman(31) 202 St. Lawrence(32) 220 St. Lawrence(33) 302 St. Lawrence(34) 314 St. Lawrence(35) 320 St. Lawrence(36) 404 St. Lawrence(37) 418 St. Lawrence(38) 502 St. Lawrence(39) 515 St. Lawrence(40) 602 St. Lawrence(41) 605 St. Lawrence(42) 612 St. Lawrence(43) 615 St. Lawrence(44) 618 St. Lawrence(45) 625 St. Lawrence(46) 703 St. Lawrence(47) 719 St. Lawrence(48) 118*120 Sinclair(49) 202 E. Van Buren(50) 220 E. Van Buren(51) 302 E. Van Buren(52) 308 E. Van Buren(53) 320 E. Van Buren(54) 321 E. Van BurenE. Court StSt. Lawrence AveE. HolmesMop from Historic JonosvilloCourthouse Park Historic Districtsimiiiarities to the Tallman home.The French Second Empire, which was popular in the later part of the 1800s, featured a prominentcentral pavilion mansard roof as exemplified by the former Court Street Methodist Church, located at 36 S. Main.The house at 418 St. Lawrence (1864) combines Second Empire and Italianate styles and is one of the few homes of that style built in Janesville. Another prime example is the home at 170 S. Jackson.More picturesque designs evolved in the 1870s and 1890s. An example is the home at 1018Oakland (1895) which retains Italianate-style windows and columned porch, but added a steeper roof pitch, elaborate spindled bargeboard and other favorites of picturesque design.The YWCA is of the Queen Anne style popular in the 1870-1910 era as is the Kent Block (1895), the London Hotel (1892-1893) and the Lappin-Hayes block, built in 1855, remodeled in 1899.Queen Anne featured round towers, fancy cornices and varied roof lines featuring spires and chimneys.Another notable Queen Anneexample is the home at 220 St. Lawrence. Designed by James Douglas and built between 1881 and 1883, it features gables, dormers, arches, brackets and used both wood and masonry in its construction.Neo-classic architecture, like that at the old Janesville Public Library, came into vogue for public buildings at the turn of the century.Columns were the most notable aspects of neo-classic buildings and were found in homes like the one at 102 Jefferson (1900).Simpler versions of Queen Anne became popular about the sametime in homes like those at 821 Hyatt (1895), 853 Hyatt (1895) and 215 S. Division (1890). Among the most ornate home of the Queen Anne style is at 69 S. Atwood (1885).Combining classical and picturesque styles are two facing homes at 220 and 221E. Holmes(both 1898).An example of English Tudor architecture can be seen at 420 Bostwick (1930) and Spanish Colonial at 904 E. Court (1925).All the homes were part of an early-20th century revival of historical architecture. Similar examples of such revival homes can be found on Columbus Circle.More information on these architectural trends can be found in the book “Historic Janesville.”Many homes of historic or architectural significance can be found in the Courthouse Historic District.
Newspaper Details
Janesville Gazette
Janesville, Wisconsin, US
Wed, Aug 14, 1985
Page 40
Full Page
Clipped by
Hedberg P.
Wisconsin, USA 10 Jul 2023
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