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Janesville Wisconsin Tour
Item 36 of 44
Prior to the opening of Oak Hill Cemetery in 1851, this was the site of the cemetery for early settlers. The graves and bodies were moved to the new cemetery, and in 1859 an Italianate style high school, known as Jefferson School, was built. The building was demolished in 1947 and converted to a park.

Jefferson School and Jefferson Park

Jefferson School and Jefferson Park

The Italianate style (1850-1885) is based on the architecture of Renaissance Italy, particularly rural houses of Tuscany. It was a very popular style in America before the Civil War, and there are many varieties in Janesville, ranging from stone mansions to one-story cottages. Narrow clapboard siding clad the exterior of most examples, such as the Thomas Lappin House, but cream brick and stone were employed at the William M. Tallman House.