Photograph
Bustling Court and Main Streets
| Elevated view of the busy streets of Court and Milwaukee. Three prominent buildings in view are: Court Street Methodist Church on the far left (b. 1868), with stores on the ground floor; (Lamont & Fuller); the Meyers House (fourth tall structure from the right); and the Young America Hall (to the right of the Meyers House). The Smith Block, NE corner of Main and Milwaukee (across from the Meyers House) does not show, but was constructed c. 1871, which dates the picture 1868-1871. |
| Image ID: | 34844 |
|---|---|
| Creation Date: | circa 1870 |
| Creator Name: | Unknown |
| City: | Janesville |
| County: | Rock |
| State: | Wisconsin |
| Collection Name: | Place File* |
| Genre: | Photograph |
| Original Format Type: | photographic print, b&w |
| Original Format Number: | PF Janesville.42 |
| Original Dimensions: | 3.25 x 3 inches |
| The Meyers House was begun in 1859, and first appears in the 1862 Directory. The America House stood on the site of the Court Street church February, 1867, at the time of the Hyatt House fire, but burned later that year. Speculation regarding the formation of this crowd includes: The Mayberry Lynching, when a large crowd assembled on the square, but this occured in 1855; An illness of Burr Robins, but that occured many years after 1871 (in fact he did not come to Janesville until 1873 or later); a State Fair, but these occured in 1851, 1857, 1864, 1866, and 1877--none of which fit the dates established above; or county fairs occuring every year from 1868 to 1871. It is unlikely that such a crowd would assemble for a Market Day. It most likely was a County Fair or a circus. Presented by Mrs. Vincent W. Koch. A mural size reprint now belongs to the Roosevelt School PTA and it is also reproduced in a clipping: "First Wisconsin State Fair..." by Hazel Van Wagenen. |
| This image is issued by the Wisconsin Historical Society. Use of the image requires written permission from the staff of the Collections Division. It may not be sold or redistributed, copied or distributed as a photograph, electronic file, or any other media. The image should not be significantly altered through conventional or electronic means. Images altered beyond standard cropping and resizing require further negotiation with a staff member. The user is responsible for all issues of copyright. Please Credit: Wisconsin Historical Society. |
| Location: | Wisconsin Historical Society Archives, 4th Floor, Madison, Wisconsin |
|---|