A Woman Bought a House For $100,000, Then Learned Frank Lloyd Wright Built It

"Athough renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright designed more than 1,000 houses, only 532 were built before his death in 1959. That's why a Wright home commands huge prices on the open market today — they're just not common. So when someone buys an ordinary house, lives in it for years, then discovers that Wright made it? Well, that's a steal.

As AP's Scott Bauer reports, a Madison home purchased for $100,000 has been verified as a Frank Lloyd Wright original. Linda McQuillen, who bought the house in 1989 when it was in a state of disrepair, had no idea she was living in historic architecture — though she figured it was an imitation of his Prairie School style — until a Wright scholar wrote her a letter about the property.

The house is one of only 14 remaining examples of Wright's affordable housing project, writes theWisconsin State Journal’s Gayle Worland. Hoping to make small dwellings available to all, he came up with an idea to sell the "American System-Built Home," a structure that was built in a factory, and then assembled on site. Unfortunately, the experiment failed at the onset of World War I, partially due to conflicts with his business partner. Several houses were built in Midwestern cities before the business went kaput, including McQuillen's, which dates back to 1917..."
Frank Lloyd Wright's Madison built house

Remembering the Past, Mapping the Future A Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of Key Civil Rights Events

The City of Madison's commemoration of significant civil rights event of the last 50 years.
Rembering the Past:Maping the Future

The Origins of Some Madison, Wisconsin Street Names

The Origins of Some Madison, Wisconsin Street Names by Burr Angle, Dolores Kester, and Ann Waidelich. Historic Madison, Inc. , 2010.
 An 11 part series tracing the origins of Madison, Wisconsin street names.

Madison Prepares for Concealed Carry Law

Via City of Madison News blog:
"In preparation for Wisconsin's Concealed Carry Law going into effect on November 1st, Mayor Paul Soglin and City staff have developed guidelines and restrictions regarding firearms in City buildings, property and buses...

Private businesses and homeowners are also able to prohibit firearms by posting notice. Apartment and condo residents are able to post for their individual units, and multi-family building owners may post that weapons are prohibited in the common areas.

There are specific requirements for appropriate signs. They must be at least 5 inches by 7 inches and indicate that weapons are prohibited on the property. Madison has signs available for purchase or download from the city website at.
The website has additional information on the law including frequently asked questions."

Getting the Lead Out

"If you live in a home that was built before 1978, there is a high likelihood that lead-based paint was used. Lead is a poison that can damage the brain, kidneys, and nervous system and is particularly dangerous to children and pregnant women. A toddler with lead poisoning is at risk for learning disabilities, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, abnormal maturation of their bodies and aggressive behavior.

Old lead painted surfaces begin to peel off in paint chips and can create lead dust in the home; especially floor surfaces where young children have an increased risk of exposure when they crawl and put their hands in their mouths. Renovations and remodeling activities if done without regard to lead can generate very high levels of lead in the home environment. To ensure that these home improvements are completed safely, families living in these older homes or apartments need to confirm if lead is present by having paint chips tested. If confirmed, all repainting and remodeling must be done using specific lead-safe procedures...
Details about the program

City of Madison 2012 Executive Operating Budget

City of Madison 2012 Executive Operating Budget, Executive Capital Budget, Mayor's Message - Operating Budget, Mayor's Message - Capital Budget and Calenders for both budgets.

City of Madison New Zoning Code
Find information on Madison's new zoning code adopted March 29, 2011 with listing of neighborhood meetings on the code and zoning maps.