We're in the process of updating our website! Learn more about what that means and how you can help create history..
click zoom to display a high-res image
Property Location
| Location (Address) | 2 S MAIN ST |
|---|---|
| County | Rock |
| City/Village | Janesville |
| Township | |
| Unincorporated community | |
| Town | |
| Range | |
| Direction | |
| Section | |
| Quarter Section | |
| Quarter Quarter Section |
Property Features
| Year Built | 1855 |
|---|---|
| Additions | 1899 |
| Survey Date | 1988 |
| Historic Use | large retail building |
| Architectural Style | Queen Anne |
| Structural System | |
| Wall Material | Brick |
| Architect | Peabody and Beauley |
| Other Buildings On Site | |
| Demolished | No |
| Demolished Date | |
| Additional Comments | 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. This office building, located on a corner lot, exhibits design elements of both the Italianate style (1855) and the Queen Anne style (additions, 1899). The building's four-story red brick exterior is punctuated by two massive, white, cylindrical corner turrets. Brick work designs delineate an arcade, beneath which are formed columns of windows, with each story represented by either round, segmental or flat arches. These windows each have decorative window hoods. The massive cornice is lined with brackets. A rear wall, although less adorned, still has windows accented by lintels and sills. Historical Statement: This Block was built for Thomas Lappin, one of Janesville's earliest and most successful merchants. From 1855 to 1870, the upstairs area was the scene of major cultural and public events in the city. When the Hayes brothers purchased the structure in the 1890s, they hired the Chicago architectural firm of Peabody and Beauley to remodel both the interior and exterior. "The Lappin-Hayes Block is the focal point of the Main and Milwaukee intersection, and it has sheltered a great variety of enterprises over its 130-year history. The block stands on the site of Henry F. Janes' cabin, one of the first dwellings constructed in Rock County. In 1842, Thomas Lappin erected a two-story store on this site. Thirteen years later he completed this four story office block, a handsome Italianate style structure of cream-colored brick. Its details are typical of the Italianate blocks built in Janesville between 1855 and 1870. Particularly notable are the upper story windows; the window heads are treated differently at each story. The original Lappin Block housed five ground-level stores leased by grocers, banks, and merchants, and upper story offices occupied by attorneys, real estate dealers, physicians, an architect, and other professionals. An early tenant was the Mutual Life Insurance Company, known today as the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company. A public hall seating 800 persons occupied the upper stories, and a saloon was housed in the basement. Until 1870, when the Myers Opera House was opened, Lappin's Hall was the center of the city's cultural and social life. In 1899, the building was purchased Dennis and Michael Hayes, Janesville contractors. Their remodeling included the installation of an elevator and the construction of a new central lightwell. Exterior additions to the buildings included a Queen Anne style sheet metal cornice and two pressed-metal rounded bays at the corners. Much of the original 1855 building above the first floor was unaltered. Over the next seventy years, the building continued to house the offices of many prominent professionals. "Main & Milwaukee: Janesville's Downtown Historic Districts, A Guide. Prepared by Landscape Research for the Janesville Historic Commission, 1989. Covenant/Easement: From 2/20/1984 to 2/20/2004. A 'covenant file' exists for this property. It may contain additional information such as photos, drawings and correspondence. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office. |
| Bibliographic References | HISTORIC JANESVILLE, HERITAGE PRESERVATION ASSOCIATES, INC. MACDONALD AND MACK PARTNERSHIP, CITY OF JANESVILLE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, 1994. Main & Milwaukee: Janesville's Downtown Historic Districts, A Guide. Prepared by Landscape Research for the Janesville Historic Commission, 1989. |
National And State Register Of Historic Places Listings
| National/State Register Listing Name | Lappin-Hayes Block |
|---|---|
| National Register Listing Date | Nov 07, 1976 |
| State Register Listing Date | Jan 01, 1989 |
| Contributing |
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.
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 UsAttribution
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.
Go to top
