303 N WASHINGTON ST

303 N WASHINGTON ST

Rock

Janesville

1853

C. 1859,C. 1900

1985,2014

house

Greek Revival

Brick

No

A 'site file' exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office. FRONT PORCH WAS ADDED C. 1900. Architectural Statement: This large two-and-one-half story brick house exhibits design features of the Greek Revival style. Typical of the style are the broken-pedimented gable ends, an entablature, and tall brick chimneys. An unusual design feature is the beaded or roped moldig around the windows. The Doric columned veranda was added at the turn of the century. Historical Statement: Assessment roll research indicates that a house of substantial value was located on this lot in the early 1850s. The original owner of this house was J. A. Sleeper, an attorney who practiced with W. M. Tallman and Chalres Norton. In the mid 1850s the property value increased dramatically indicating that a smaller house was enlarged or that a new house was built at that time. Alexander Graham, a member of the state assembly and city alderman, owned the house when the value increased. It was subsequently owned by Alfred Jackson, a railroad attorney, who lived here from 1882 to 1913. Jackson is best known for having invited Abraham Lincoln to speak in Janesville in 1859. WHS waived its 30 day raze notice on 5/9/2003 for the garage. "According to tax records, this house was enlarged in the late 1850s, and the renovation likely added the Palladian window in the gable end as well as other details such as the rope beaded moldings at the cornice, entry, and windows. J.A. Sleeper, the first owner, was an attorney who practiced law with W.M. Tallman and Charles Norton. Sleeper and Norton continued the partnership after Tallman retired in 1854. Sleeper moved the Chicago in 1863. Alexander A. Graham, a City Alderman, later owned the house. It was subsequently owned by Alfred Jackson, a railroad attorney, who lived here 1882-1913. Jackson is best known locally for having invited Abraham Lincoln to speak in Janesville in 1859." THE LOOK WEST HISTORIC DISTRICT, PREPARED BY LANDSCAPE RESEARCH FOR THE JANESVILLE HISTORIC COMMISSION, JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN 1987.

PLAT MAP. JANESVILLE HISTORIC DISTRICTS NEWSLETTER, JANESVILLE HISTORIC COMMISSION, SPRING 1994. THE LOOK WEST HISTORIC DISTRICT, PREPARED BY LANDSCAPE RESEARCH FOR THE JANESVILLE HISTORIC COMMISSION, JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN, 1987. Assessment Rolls: 1853, 1856, 1858, 1860. City Directories: 1859-60, 1870, 1892, 1913. History of Rock County. "Cultural Resources Report For the Proposed Talman House Telecommunications Facility in Janesville, Rock County, Wisconsin." WHS Project #14-0719/RO. June 2014. Prepared by Marcy Prchal.

Look West Historic District (Boundary Increase)

Dec 10, 1993

Dec 11, 1993

Yes