1225 OBSERVATORY DR | Property Record | Wisconsin Historical Society

Property Record

1225 OBSERVATORY DR

Architecture and History Inventory
1225 OBSERVATORY DR | Property Record | Wisconsin Historical Society
NAMES
Historic Name:Observatory Director's Residence; Washburn House
Other Name:Observatory Hill Office, Building #90
Contributing:
Reference Number:102235
PROPERTY LOCATION
Location (Address):1225 OBSERVATORY DR
County:Dane
City:Madison
Township/Village:
Unincorporated Community:
Town:
Range:
Direction:
Section:
Quarter Section:
Quarter/Quarter Section:
PROPERTY FEATURES
Year Built:1854
Additions:
Survey Date:1974
Historic Use:house
Architectural Style:Italianate
Structural System:
Wall Material:Brick
Architect:
Other Buildings On Site:
Demolished?:No
Demolished Date:
NATIONAL AND STATE REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
National/State Register Listing Name: Washburn Observatory and Observatory Director's Residence
National Register Listing Date:3/14/1985
State Register Listing Date:1/1/1989
National Register Multiple Property Name:
NOTES
Additional Information: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. 1988- "This was originally the University's president's house. Built in 1855, this Italianate style home originally shared Observatory Hill only with the Washburn Observatory and a peach grove. Presidents Paul A. Chadbourne, John H. Twombly, and John Bascom lived here during their administrations. After president Bascom moved out in 1878, the first University astronomer and director of the observatory, James Watson, moved in. The building was then called "Astronomer's House" for several decades. In 1988, it was the home of the La Follette Institute for Public Affairs."
Bibliographic References:University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Wisconsin-Madison Tour Guide: Henry Mall and West Campus, 1988.
RECORD LOCATION
Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin

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