Property Record
649-653 E DAYTON ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Douglass Beneficial Hall |
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| Other Name: | |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 95553 |
| Location (Address): | 649-653 E DAYTON ST |
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| County: | Dane |
| City: | Madison |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
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| Year Built: | 1901 |
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| Additions: | 1912 |
| Survey Date: | 19842019 |
| Historic Use: | social recreational/fraternal hall |
| Architectural Style: | Front Gabled |
| Structural System: | Balloon Frame |
| Wall Material: | Clapboard |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | East Dayton Street Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 12/27/1988 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 1/1/1989 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | Madison Historic Landmark: 7/16/1991 1991- 2-story vernacular structure is actually two buildings joined together. the western section was moved to the site in 1901 by the Turner family to serve as the Douglass Beneficial Society meeting hall. The Society was a charitable and self-help association for African-American families. A low, 1-story wing connects the hall to a second building that was moved to the site in 1912. This vernacular house has shallowly pitched gables trimmed with returned eaves. In 1917 John and Amanda Hill bought the hall and operated a grocery business there until Mr. Hill's death in the early 1980s. The display cases, light fixtures and advertising signs are still intact. "The Hill house and grocery store and the Miller house are among the last remaining buildings associated with Madison's earliest African-American neighborhood. This two-story vernacular structure is actually two buildings joined together. The western section was moved to the site in 1901 by the Turner family to serve as the Douglas Beneficial Hall, a charitable and self-help association for African-American families moving to Madison from southern states. In 1917 John and Amanda Hill bought the hall and operated a grocery business there until Mr. Hill's death in the early 1980s. The display cases, light fixtures and advertising signs of the old grocery store are still intact. A low, one-story wing connects the hall to a second building moved onto this site in 1912. This vernacular house has shallowly pitched gables trimmed with returned eaves. It served at first as the home of Caroline and C.H. Thomas, the pastor of the A.M.E. Church, which was once located a few doors to the west (gone). Also note the home at 114 North Blount Street. This home was moved here in 1923 for Amanda Carmichael, the mother of Amanda Hill. Today the houses at 114 and 120 North Blount Street are still owned by John and Amanda Hill's descendants." Old Market Place Neighborhood walking tour guide. Madison Landmarks Commission and Old Market Place Neighborhood Association, 1991. |
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| Bibliographic References: | 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 |