Skip to main content

click zoom to display a high-res image
Property Record

703 E GORHAM ST

Historic Name:
Theodore and Marie Herfurth, Sr. House
Other Name:
Reference Number:
91705

Property Location

Location (Address) 703 E GORHAM ST
County Dane
City/Village Madison
Township
Unincorporated community
Town
Range
Direction
Section
Quarter Section
Quarter Quarter Section

Property Features

Year Built 1868
Additions 1900
Survey Date 1984
Historic Use house
Architectural Style Italianate
Structural System
Wall Material Brick
Architect
Other Buildings On Site
Demolished No
Demolished Date
Additional Comments "This fine, highly intact brick Italianate house at 703 East Gorham was the home of Marie and Theodore Herfurth, Sr. Herfurth (1829-1903) was a successful German immigrant who came to Madison in 1852 and established a carriagemaking firm. In 1862, after farming for six years in Arena, Wisconsin. Herfurth came back to Madison and established a general store on King Street, which he continued to operate until 1874, His success at this venture and the necessity of housing their rapidly growing family (they had ten children) led the Herfurths to begin construction on the original portion of this house in 1868.

In 1875 Herfurth began selling and underwriting fire insurance. In 1892 he was joined by his only son, Theodore Herfurth Jr. (1872-1950), and the firm became known as Theodore Herfurth & Son, one of Madison's most successful insurance agencies.

In 1915 Theodore Herfurth Jr. and his wife of four years, Genevieve, built their own Craftsman style house at 711 East Gorham Street, next door to the family home where Theodore's mother and several of his adult sisters continued to live. One of his sisters, Elizabeth Herfurth, later achieved national recognition for her role in the development of Wisconsin's retirement fund for teachers, on of the nation's first such pension funds." Old Market Place Neighborhood walking tour guide. Madison Landmarks Commission and Old Market Place Neighborhood Association, 1991.
Bibliographic References Old Market Place Neighborhood walking tour guide. Madison Landmarks Commission and Old Market Place Neighborhood Association, 1991.

National And State Register Of Historic Places Listings

National/State Register Listing Name Fourth Lake Ridge Historic District
National Register Listing Date Feb 26, 1998
State Register Listing Date Nov 06, 1996
Contributing Yes
Permalink
Permalink

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.

Learn More about AHI

Contact Us

Questions?

Wondering about if your property is eligible or notice some information on this property needs to be updated, reach out today!

Email Us

Attribution

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.

Schedule Appointment

Property Record
711 E GORHAM ST

711 E GORHAM ST

91706

Located in Madison, Dane County

View Property
Property Record
637 E GORHAM ST

637 E GORHAM ST

91695

Located in Madison, Dane County

View Property
Property Record
616 E MIFFLIN ST

616 E MIFFLIN ST

108382

Located in Madison, Dane County

View Property
Property Record
640 E GORHAM ST

640 E GORHAM ST

70067

Located in Madison, Dane County

View Property
Property Record
103 N BUTLER ST

103 N BUTLER ST

95261

Located in Madison, Dane County

View Property
Property Record
822 PROSPECT PL

822 PROSPECT PL

91786

Located in Madison, Dane County

View Property
Go to top
Wisconsin Historical Society
Search Dropdown