click zoom to display a high-res image
Property Location
Property Features
Built during the years 1863-1865, the Timothy Brown House is a cream brick residence built in the Italianate style. Brown came to Madison in 1855 at the behest of a fellow New York stater, Napoleon Bonaparte Van Slycke, to be a part of a growing Yankee contingent in the Big Bug Hill Area. He was a co-founder of the First National Bank and an official of the Madison Gas Light and Coke Company. His real estate dealings and business investments made him one of the city's most well-known commercial figures.
Later residents of the house included three justices of the state Supreme Court: Charles V. Bardeen; Robert G. Siebecker, Chief Justice and law partner of Robert M. LaFollette; and Timothy Brown, also a Chief Justice and a grandson of the original owner.
"Built in 1863, the cream brick residence is in the Italianate style. The stately neo-classical veranda dates to the turn-of-the-century. Timothy Brown came to Madison in 1855 at the request of a fellow New York stater, Napoleon Bonaparte Van Slyke, to be a part of growing Yankee contingent in the "Big Bug" or Mansion Hill area. Brown quickly became the cashier and principal stockholder of the Dane County Bank. With others he reorganized it into the First National Bank in 1863. In 1870, Brown took control of the floundering Madison Gas Company and turned it into a financially sound business. Brown's real estate holdings and business investments made him a well-known commercial figure and one of Madison's wealthiest people. In civic affairs, he served as treasurer of the board of regents, alderman, county supervisor, and leader of the Dane County Calvary during the Civil War. His wife, Elizabeth, continued to live in the house until her death in 1896. Mrs. Brown's house became the center of a family compound.
Later residents of the Brown family homestead included three justices of the state supreme court: Charles V. Barbeen; Robert G. Siedecker, chief justice and a law partner of Robert M. La Follette; and Timothy Brown, also a chief justice and a grandson of the original owner. A rambling carriage house is to the east." Madison's Pioneer Buildings: A Downtown Walking Tour, 1987.
National And State Register Of Historic Places Listings
Architecture & History Inventory
The Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory (AHI) is a digital source of information on historic buildings, structures, and objects that have been surveyed by the State Historic Preservation Office in Wisconsin. Each property has a digital record providing basic information about the property and images.
Questions?
Wondering about if your property is eligible or notice some information on this property needs to be updated, reach out today!
Email UsAttribution
For a credit line: Wisconsin Historical Society, Creator, Title, Unique Identifier.
The Unique Identifier can be found at the top or bottom of the page for each item. The name of a downloaded file is NOT the unique identifier.
For bibliographic citations please consult the UW-Madison Libraries Citation Research Guide to ensure compliance with appropriate style guidelines.
Access Property Records
Some properties have more materials (correspondence, clippings, historical information, etc.) not in the digital record. If a 'Site File' exists, it's noted in the 'Additional Comments' field. Contact us for an appointment to view these materials.
