Milton House (Milton, Wisconsin) facts for kids
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Milton House
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Milton House
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 Location in Wisconsin
Location in the United States
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| Location | 18 S. Janesville St., Milton, Wisconsin |
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| Built | 1838 |
| Architect | Joseph Goodrich |
| MPS | Grout Buildings in Milton TR (AD) |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000065 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | February 1, 1972 |
| Designated NHL | August 5, 1998 |
The Milton House is a special old building in Milton, Wisconsin. It is famous for its unique hexagonal shape. This house was once a secret stop on the Underground Railroad. This was a network of safe places and people who helped enslaved people escape to freedom.
The Milton House is also known for how it was built. It was made using a material called grout. Some people say it was the first grout building in the United States. While that might not be entirely true, its construction was very important. An architecture journal even called it the "Oldest standing concrete structure of any consequence."
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What Does Milton House Look Like?
The Milton House is built from grout, which is like a type of concrete. It has a main part that is three stories tall and shaped like a hexagon. There's also a two-story wing, also hexagonal.
Inside the main tower, you'll find the hotel's main rooms. There's a spiral staircase in the middle. Rooms are located all around this staircase. The first floor had common rooms where people could gather. The upper floors and the wing held guest rooms for travelers.
The way this house was built inspired others. A man named Orson Squire Fowler liked octagonal homes. He suggested using grout for building them, just like the Milton House.
Behind the main house, there is a small building called the Goodrich Cabin. This cabin was built in 1837. It was moved to this spot in 1839. It was one of the first homes of Joseph Goodrich when he settled in Milton.
History of Milton House
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Joseph Goodrich was the person who founded the town of Milton. He moved there in 1839. He first built a log cabin, and then brought the 1837 cabin to the site.
Goodrich was a Seventh Day Baptist. People of his faith were often against slavery. Goodrich built the Milton House in 1845. It became a popular place for travelers to stop. This was because it was located at an important crossroads. One road went from Chicago to Madison. The other went from Janesville to Fort Atkinson.
A Stop on the Underground Railroad
Because of its location, the Milton House became a stop on the Underground Railroad. Enslaved people escaping to freedom in Wisconsin often followed the Rock River. They would then take the road to Racine. From Racine, they could find a boat to take them to Canada, where they would be free.
There is a secret tunnel connecting the main house to the nearby cabin. No one knows exactly when or why the tunnel was built. However, Joseph's son, Ezra, said it was used to hide runaway slaves.
Joseph Goodrich also welcomed famous abolitionist Sojourner Truth to the house. She visited Milton in the 1860s. Abolitionists were people who worked to end slavery.
Goodrich was very involved in building the house. He brought special cement by wagon. He mixed it with sand and river water to create the grout. He then poured this mixture into wooden forms to create the walls.
Saving the House
By 1937, the Milton House was in poor condition. No one was living there, and it was almost torn down. Luckily, the Milton Historical Society stepped in. They bought the building and worked hard to restore it.
Today, the house and cabin are open to the public. You can take guided tours to learn more about their history.
In 1998, Milton House was named a National Historic Landmark. This means it's a very important historical site in the United States. It is the most important place still standing in Wisconsin that was part of the anti-slavery movement.
See also
