Architectural Digest

Bradley House, Louis Sullivan, 1910 (106 N. Prospect)

Buell House, Conover and Porter, 1894 (115 Ely Place)

Elliot House, George W. Maher, 1910 (137 N. Prospect)

Gilmore House, Frank Lloyd Wright, 1908 (120 Ely Place)

Last night, Karen and I took a “twilight” historic walking tour of our neighborhood, University Heights, with a very knowledgeable guide from the Madison Trust for Historic Preservation. We learned more about the fascinating history of the neighborhood, and the many forms of architecture represented. The guide talked specifically about thirteen of the most architecturally significant homes. Four of these are pictured above. The first in the neighborhood was the Buell House, designed by the architectural firm of Conover and Porter in 1884. Originally, the home’s power was generated by a windmill, and the current owner has one up in the yard to commemorate this historical fact.

In the early 1900’s, with its close proximity the university and downtown, the prominent Madison neighborhood housed many University faculty and staff, which holds true today. Our house was built in 1921, and I’m just fascinated with its design and history. I want to uncover the dusty plans at City Hall and follow its roots from the very beginning. I love our neighborhood. I want to live there forever. I also want to take the four other historical neighborhood tours that the Madison Trust offers: King Street, Mansion Hill East, Mansion Hill West, and State Street. I'm always fascinated by historical facts and stories. And when these can be condensed into hour-long walking tours, how can I resist?