Hamlin Garland House facts for kids
|
Hamlin Garland House
|
|
The house in 2014
|
|
 Location in Wisconsin
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 356 W. Garland St., West Salem, Wisconsin |
|---|---|
| Built | 1893 |
| Architect | William Hull |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000040 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | November 11, 1971 |
| Designated NHL | November 11, 1971 |
The Hamlin Garland House is a special old house in West Salem, Wisconsin, USA. From 1893 to the 1910s, it was the main home of a famous writer named Hamlin Garland. He was known for writing stories about life in different parts of America. This house is so important that it's been named a National Historic Landmark. Today, it's a museum where you can learn about Hamlin Garland and his life.
Contents
The Story of Hamlin Garland's Home
Hamlin Garland's Early Life
Hamlin Garland was born in West Salem in September 1860. His family lived in a log cabin on a farm. When he grew up, he moved away from Wisconsin. He lived in places like Massachusetts, Iowa, and Illinois.
Even though he moved, Garland always remembered his birthplace. He once said that his Wisconsin birthplace was a "source of deep satisfaction." He loved that a "lovely valley" was his first childhood memory. He called it a "priceless gift" and a "charming and mysterious place."
Buying His Dream Home
Garland came back to West Salem in 1893. He used money he earned from his successful book, Main-Travelled Roads, to buy this house. This book was a collection of short stories published in 1891.
The house was built in the same year Garland was born, 1860. A builder named William Hull constructed it. When Garland bought the house, it came with four acres of land. It also had a two-story barn, a cow pasture, a pig-pen, and gardens.
Making the House a Home
The house was not in good shape when Garland bought it. He spent much of October 1893 fixing and updating it. He even put in indoor plumbing. This made his house the first in the area to have this modern feature! He first called his new home "Mapleshade." This was because of the three large maple trees on the property.
Garland brought his parents to live with him in the house. His mother loved the area right away. His father was not so sure at first. But Garland was determined. He said, "This is my choice. Right here we take root. This shall be the Garland Homestead."
A Fire and a New Chapter
In 1912, the house was damaged by a fire. It happened one October morning. Garland woke up to his wife, Zulime, screaming. He tried to stop the flames with a garden hose. Then, he rushed into his study. He saved his important writings by throwing them out of a second-floor window to a neighbor below. The house was quickly repaired after the fire.
The Garland family lived in this house less often after about 1916. They also had a home in New York City. They sold the West Salem house in 1939.
Hamlin Garland passed away in Hollywood, California, on March 4, 1940. He was 79 years old. He had wanted his ashes to be spread on the hillsides near his West Salem home. However, local officials asked for him to be buried in the town's Nehonoc Cemetery instead.
The House Today
.jpg)
The Hamlin Garland House was named a National Historic Landmark in 1971. This means it's a very important place in American history. The street where the house stands was even renamed in honor of the author.
Today, the West Salem Historical Society takes care of the property. It is open to the public as a museum. In 1960, a special marker was placed in town. It honors Garland and his love for the region.
Some people have reported that the home might be haunted. This is possibly because Garland's wishes for his burial were not followed.
See also
