10 buildings in Wisconsin that are older than the state itself

Cabins, homes, military compounds, and outhouses, oh my! The oldest buildings in Wisconsin date back to the 1700s and run the entire utility gamut.

Wisconsin officially became a U.S. state in 1848, but many of its oldest buildings actually predate its statehood. This goes for many states in the Midwest, the South, and New England, as these were the first areas that Europeans settled on before moving westward. Naturally, this means that Wisconsin and other Eastern states have some of the oldest buildings in the nation, often dating back to the mid-to-late 1700s and early 1800s, while the oldest structures in Western states like Nevada only date back to the mid-nineteenth century and later. 

With Wisc. possessing so much rich history, we knew we had to take a closer look at which buildings across the Badger State have stood the test of time and are still standing nearly two centuries later, in some cases. For instance, one of the most interesting buildings in the state is the St. Joan of Arc Chapel; however, this building was erected in France circa the fifteenth century and didn’t cross the Atlantic to reach New York and later Marquette University in Wisconsin until the 1900s. While it’s certainly a sight to behold, we’ve excluded it from our actual list since it wasn’t originally built in Wisconsin, but if you can go see it in person, we recommend it. It’s the oldest building in the state, and it’s both gorgeous and carries such a storied past. 

With that established, let’s look at 10 of the oldest buildings in Wisconsin, from cabins and hotels to military buildings and even an outhouse (yes, you read that right).

1. Roi-Porlier-Tank Cottage (c. 1776)

Address: 2640 South Webster Ave, Green Bay, WI 54301

The Roi-Porlier-Tank Cottage is the Badger State’s oldest still-standing building, enduring in Wisconsin since the mid-1770s (aka prime Revolutionary War time). It hasn’t always occupied the same space, however. It was originally constructed along Green Bay’s Fox River by a voyager named Joseph Roi—hence the house’s name—but now calls the Heritage Hill State Historical Park home. The building has been kept intact, and it’s so sacred to the area that it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. 

As you’ve likely already guessed, the other two names in the house’s name, Porlier and Tank, come from its owners after Roi. First, one Jacques Porlier inhabited the home in the early 1800s, and later, Niels Otto Tank acquired the building in 1850. Only one other person occupied the home before it stopped being a private home and fell under the purview of the city. At one point, the building served as a museum in Heritage Hill State Historical Park, but it appears to have been closed to the public, though the park remains open.

The Tank Cottage at Heritage Hill State Park. (Royalbroil/CC BY-SA 3.0)

2. Fur Trade Cabin (c. 1800)

Address: 2640 South Webster Ave, Green Bay, WI 54301

The next-oldest building is also currently housed at Green Bay’s Heritage Hill State Historical Park, and it actually arrived at the park before the Roi-Porlier-Tank Cottage, though only by one year. According to the park’s official website, the Fur Trade Cabin dates back to about 1800 and is fully wooden, and it came from 739 Adams St. in Green Bay. This building, in particular, is fascinating because it represents some of Wisconsin’s earliest industries—namely, fur trapping. While this might not fly in modern times, this was a necessary industry and skill set at the time, and the craftsmanship that went into these fur-trade cabins shows how imperative it really was. Plus, it gives us a closer look at how important trading was in the earliest days of the nation. It’s also an architectural feat, as the building has specific modifications to withstand Wisconsin winters. Today, you can see the building at the park during its normal operating hours.

The Fur Trade Cabin at Heritage Hill State Historical Park in Wisc. (Royalbroil/CC BY-SA 3.0)

3. Strange Powers House (c. 1800)

Address: 338 N Main St, Prairie du Chien, WI 53821

Prairie du Chien is on Wisconsin’s southwestern border, about four hours from Green Bay by car, but it’s home to one of the most famous historical homes in the state. Built circa 1800, around the same time as the Fur Trade Cabin at the Heritage Hill State Historical Park, the Strange Powers House is beloved for its architecture style, which mimicked traditional French techniques. In fact, these techniques are partially revered for their capabilities, with the Strange Powers House exemplifying how sturdy this architectural style really is. This building has endured over 200 years without requiring massive renovations.

According to the house’s National Register of Historic Place’s nomination form, the home is named after a British Canadian man known as Strange Powers, who began calling Prairie du Chien home in 1799, later acquiring the lot that the Strange Powers house is on in 1818. The register officially recognized the house in 1979, nearly a full decade after our previous entries. Today, the house is still a private home, and Redfin estimates that its worth is about $117,000.

Exterior of the Strange Powers House. (Boscophotos/CC BY-SA 3.0)

4. Francois Vertefeuille House (c. 1810-1820)

Address: CTH K, 0.35 mi. S of jct. with Limery Rd., Prairie du Chien, WI

You know the drill by now: A man named Francois Vertefeuille left Canada for the U.S. and settled in Prairie du Chien, much like Strange Powers. Also like Powers, Vertefeuille’s house is still standing in the city, and it draws history lovers who want to check out its architecture and snap a photo of it (and in front of it because the ‘Gram has to know they saw it). After all, the house was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, signifying its significance to the state’s growth and advancements. Likewise, the house has been touched up over the years, namely because it was originally constructed in segments. Over the years, additional construction work has helped the home appear cohesive, not like a segmented building.

Seeing this old home is certainly worth a trip to Prairie du Chien, but you may need to do a little investigating to find it. It doesn’t have a specific address, but we know it’s located on County Highway K. Moreover, the Wisconsin Historical Society notes that it can be found 0.35 miles south of the highway’s junction with Limery Rd. When you head there, you’ll find a rather small building made entirely of wood that looks like it’s seen better days. That said, the fact that it’s still standing is a testament to its hardy construction—something we could stand to learn from. 

5. Dodge Mining Camp Cabin (1827)

Address: 205 E Fountain St, Dodgeville, WI 53533

The Dodge Mining Camp Cabin has a storied past. It was built in 1827 by Henry Dodge, a name that should sound familiar if you’re from the Badger State. Dodge is one of the state’s most prominent political figures due to his involvement in the Black Hawk War, as well as his later election into the House of Representatives and the Senate and his stint as Wisconsin’s territorial governor. Ultimately, it’s more of a case of what he hasn’t done than what he has done. Well, his cabin was “abandoned” just five years after it was built because of the Black Hawk War, according to the Iowa County Historical Society. Over the following decades, the house was moved several times, and folks lived in it on and off until 1960 when it became used by a local newspaper. 

As you can imagine, the house primarily consists of wood, and it’s been fitted with electricity and contemporary additions, such as Greek Revival trim, for some extra razzle-dazzle. Its architecture, which stands out among modern techniques and designs, landed it a spot in the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. You can see the building on Fountain St. in Dodgeville, but you can only enter it if you have an appointment. 

6. Fort Howard guard house and hospital (1833-1835)

Address: 2640 South Webster Ave, Green Bay, WI 54301

We couldn’t proceed too much further on this list without returning to our ol’ faithful: the Heritage Hill State Historic Park. Green Bay’s resident center for all things architecturally archival is home to a few buildings from Fort Howard, as well as a few recreations, but we’re here to hone in on the two oldest ones: the fort’s guard house and hospital. According to the Wisconsin Historical Society, Fort Howard was just one of many forts erected in the name of defending Wisconsin, and it housed many municipal buildings, including sleeping quarters, a hospital, and a school, but only certain ones have survived the nearly two decades since the fort was constructed. 

It should go without saying that the guard house and hospital are no longer functional, but you can still go see them at the historic park. You’ll notice that the hospital, which is composed of two buildings rather than standing as one, and the guard house are both in the Federal architectural style that dominated the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, and both appear well-maintained. 

Fort Howard guard house and hospital. (Library of Congress)

7. Prairie Spring Hotel (1834)

Address: WI 23 S, Willow Springs, WI

According to Travel Wisconsin, the Prairie Spring Hotel was built in 1834 by a Tennessean named Daniel Morgan Parkinson, who relocated to Wisconsin, which is why the building is sometimes known as the Daniel Morgan Parkinson House. The hotel’s National Register of Historic Places registration form adds that the building’s architecture is part of what makes it so special, as it’s the only edifice in the area that resembles classic Southern craftsmanship as one might see in Tennessee or North Carolina. The building would ultimately land in the register in 1999. 

Today, the hotel is closed, as most people in the area settled down, and there wasn’t a need for the inn as the late 1800s and early 1900s came to pass. However, it still stands tall, and while it doesn’t have a concrete address, you can find it on Highway 23 in Willow Springs. What you’ll find is a haunted-looking building that looks like it has seen better days, largely because all of the grass and foliage surrounding it seems to stay consistently overgrown. Still, the interior has been maintained, at least as late as the 1990s. 

Prairie Spring Hotel in Willow Springs, Wisc. (TheCatalyst31/CC BY-SA 4.0)

8. The Walker House (1836)

Address: 117 E Front St, Cassville, WI 53806

Unlike the other buildings with “house” in their name on this list, The Walker House is a hotel rather than a private residence, and it’s still a functioning inn to this day. According to Travel Wisconsin, the hotel was built in 1836, and it’s full of charm. The building is constructed from local limestone, and it boasts many guest rooms, front and back patios, a bustling pub, and even some potential ghosts. That’s right: The Walker House’s official website notes that some previous guests have allegedly seen and heard ghosts on the premises, and the establishment even pokes fun at making a game of it, spending time at the hotel in hopes of finding one such paranormal friend. 

A public form from the National Register of Historic Places explains that this hotel came to life in three bursts, with the final expansion not being complete until 1860. What these parts culminated in is a masterpiece that truly stands out from the other, mostly wooden buildings from the time, which is undoubtedly why this hotel landed on the National Register of Historic Places. It didn’t come without maintenance, as the aforementioned form notes that the hotel was once in “almost ruinous condition,” but it has bounced back beautifully while still maintaining all of the stonework and structure that made it so unique to begin with.

9. Pottawatomie Lighthouse outhouse (1836) 

Address: Pottawatomie Lighthouse, Washington, WI 54246

Some old buildings are houses, and others are military properties. Then, there’s the outhouse at Pottawatomie Lighthouse, which has been standing strong since 1836. You see, a lot has changed at the lighthouse—so much so that the current lighthouse isn’t even the original. It was replaced in the mid-1800s, and by the mid-1900s, it became automated, meaning a person didn’t have to tend to it and ensure the light was where it needed to be at all times. This all means that the outhouse is long outdated and doesn’t see regular use anymore, but it is not only still standing, it’s also Door County’s oldest extant building, according to the Green Bay Press Gazette.

Today, the outhouse and the lighthouse are considered part of Rock Island State Park, and as such, they’re able to be visited via tours that run through October each year, per the Green Bay Press Gazette. After October, tours stop for the winter because hanging out by Lake Michigan in the cold is a recipe for, well, not a lot of fun. Still, this is a sight to see, and it’s one that’s pretty quirky and memorable. Just take it from a volunteer tour guide who spoke to the Gazette: “While you can’t use the outhouse now, people are interested to know that it predates the lighthouse.”

10. Hazelwood (c. 1837)

Address: 1008 S. Monroe Ave, Green Bay, WI 54301

Rounding out our list is none other than Hazelwood, the famous home of Morgan Lewis Martin, the politician responsible for writing Wisconsin’s state constitution. According to the house’s National Register of Historic Places nomination form—seriously, where would we be without these public documents?—the house was constructed circa 1837, and he combined the Federal style that was so popular during this period with classic Greek touches. The house is fair in size, and while the structure is overall sound and has endured well over almost 200 years, one portion of the house—the north wing—was lost to time, collapsing long ago. However, the form clarifies that the rest of the building has only had “minor” “[inside] alterations.” 

Cut to present day, and the house lovingly known as Hazelwood is home to the Brown County Historical Society. To get in on the action, you can simply walk or drive by the house and snap a quick photo, or you can get directly involved with the society, which hosts events for the public throughout the year. More intriguingly, you can tour Hazelwood. Tickets are only $6 for adults, with proceeds going back to the society. All you have to do is call or email ahead to secure a tour. Just note that tours are seasonal, so you may not be able to sneak one in during the winter.

Hazelwood (currently the Brown County Historical Society) in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Michael Barera/CC BY-SA 4.0)

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.