Property Record
622 E GORHAM ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Bernard-Hoover Boathouse |
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| Other Name: | Bernard-Hoover Boathouse |
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| Reference Number: | 16062 |
| Location (Address): | 622 E GORHAM ST |
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| County: | Dane |
| City: | Madison |
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| Year Built: | 1915 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1984 |
| Historic Use: | boat house |
| Architectural Style: | Front Gabled |
| Structural System: | Balloon Frame |
| Wall Material: | Drop Siding |
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| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
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| National/State Register Listing Name: | Bernard-Hoover Boathouse |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 7/30/1981 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 1/1/1989 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| 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. MAP CODE IS 0709-133-1201-6. This frame boathouse was the home of George Bernard's boat building business, begun on the site in 1853. Madison Landmark: 10/18/1976. "In the days before individual boat ownership became widespread, renting pleasure boats for lake excursions was a significant summer business in Madison. Numerous commercial enterprises developed here in the nineteenth century to cater to the demand, the first being the one started on this site in 1855 by German native Charles Bernard as a fishing station. Gradually, Bernard's business expanded to include both boat and fishing gear rentals. By the 1890s Bernard was building his own boats as well, including several large, steam-powered excursion boats that operated on Lake Mendota. Bernard ferried picnickers to his private park (gone) near Mendota State Hospital. After his death in 1907, son William ran the business. William and his son Carl became known across the United States as avid ice boat builders and racers. In 1911 the Bernards replaced the original buildings with a larger frame structure. Four years later it was destroyed by fire and was replaced with the present frame building. Carl Bernard sold out to Harry Hoover in 1943; Hoover continued to operate the boat livery and gave excursion rides until 1968 when he sold the property to the City. Today the Bernard-Hoover boathouse is the only survivor of the early days of Madison's love affair with pleasure boating." Old Market Place Neighborhood walking tour guide. Madison Landmarks Commission and Old Market Place Neighborhood Association, 1991. |
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| Bibliographic References: | MADISON TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION, INC. NEWSLETTER, OCTOBER, 1994. MADISON TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION, INC. NEWSLETTER, SUMMER, 1996. WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL 5/3/1996. Wisconsin State Journal 5/24/2003 Section C. Old Market Place Neighborhood walking tour guide. Madison Landmarks Commission and Old Market Place Neighborhood Association, 1991. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |