The Tallman House is one of the most historical places to visit in Janesville, Wisconsin with Lincoln and the Underground Railroad in its past. My husband Jared grew up in Janesville and while visiting town for a wedding, we decided to make a stop at this historic home.
William Tallman was a lawyer and land speculator who bought and sold land for income. After buying 52,000 acres between Illinois and Wisconsin, he decided to build in Janesville. Then with a population of only 1,812.
Construction began in 1855 in the Italianate style using pictures from an architecture design book that had recently come out. It was completed in 1857. This particular winter garden was exactly as featured in the architecture example books of the time as well as many of the windows, trim and cupola. The carpet was remade to match the original by the original manufacturer during restoration. This piano is sometimes mysteriously played… some say by the ghost of one of the Tallmans.
There are 26 rooms on 4 stories between the basement and cupola. More than 75% of the furnishings are the original.
The builders of the Tallman house had a home in Rome, New York and was part of the Underground Railroad. They were huge abolitionists and brought this belief with them when they came to Janesville. Having Lincoln as a guest was no doubt a huge honor.
The bright window at the end of the upstairs hall is multicolored, with the colors baked into the glass. The colored window was used as a signal point to guide slaves from the Rock River in the distance. If the signal was right, they knew they could enter the basement and be fed and get sleep. The opening in the middle of this hall with the railing looks down to the foyer, and the circulation of air is helpful on hot summer days.
The small bedroom upstairs where one door inside was not like the others. If the house was searched, a fugitive could go up the basement stairs to reach this floor, where they could then sneak up this small staircase hidden in the closet. They could hide in the attic or if they wanted, escape to the roof and slide down the lightening rods and make their way to the river, where Tallman always had a boat available for their use.
Gassolier chandelier – this was piped into the house before gas was even available. The chandelier could be lit and last until the servants turned the gas off.
When it was further added onto in 1870, the total cost for the building and add ons came to $42,000. William promised his wife a state of the art house. Because of this, each bedroom had a vanity sink with running water. There was gas piping for lighting even though it was not yet available in Janesville and also had central heat. There was a large indoor toilet room, as well as a bathroom with a tub.
Before Lincoln became president and was running for Senate (which he lost), he came to Janesville and stayed in the house from October 1-3, 1859. It was the only time Lincoln is known to have stayed in a house in Wisconsin. This is the actual bed Lincoln slept in. He was 6’4” and the bed was only 6’. The Tallmans had another guest the night Lincoln was staying, and Lincoln was fine to share the room. However the other guest later reported Lincoln turned at an angle in his sleep (probably to fit) and snored, and so he was found sleeping elsewhere, possibly on this couch in their room. While in town, Lincoln spoke at the Wisconsin County Fair. He left his shoes out at night and they went missing the next day. So he attended church with the family instead of leaving right away, and left the following day. This is thought to be one of the most accurate portrayals of Lincoln because it was made from an actual clay mask of Lincoln while he was alive. Lincoln returned the hospitality when on their honeymoon in 1861, they were entertained at the White House by President Lincoln. This candelabra is from the White House.
There were a few beautiful gowns sprinkled in the rooms. This 1890 rose colored silk dress thought to be worn by Jessie Nowlan whose father was mayor of Janesville.
Kitchen with water piped in. Plus laundry rooms, food storage and other useful rooms in the basement.
Hope you enjoyed this brief tour of the Tallman House! Do you have an interesting home or building from where you grew up? Share in the comments, maybe we will get to visit some day!
