Evert's 1873 Atlas

History of Rock County

The City of Janesville

[First in importance is] the seat of justice for Rock County, situated on Rock River, in one of the finest and most productive agricultural districts in the State. The territory on which the city is built is high and bluffy, furnishing excellent facilities for drainage; a fact which has doubtless contributed much to the good health which has uniformly prevailed. The high ridges of land forming portions of the city afford views of both the city and surrounding country nowhere surpassed for extent of beauty. The municipal lines now embrace three miles north and south by two and a half miles east and west.

The Black Hawk War killed the Rock River Valley country for a few years, but was the direct cause of settling up the country at a later date, as from it sprang up a knowledge of the beautiful country. All will remember with what interest we examined the maps of the South when our boys were there fighting for an undivided Union, and how we became familiar with the mountains, plains, and swamps through associations made ever memorable as being the last resting-place on earth that knew so many brave men: so it was with the Rock River Valley; as soon as the emigrant could be assured of safety and protection he was found pushing his way westward from Lake Michigan to what was then called the frontier. AS the names of those who first settled in and around Janesville have already been mentioned, we will go back only tot he spring of 1837, when Mr. Janes first platted the land on the east side of the river and constituted the place a village. The first court was held two years after in the hotel called the Stage House; the grand jury sat in a small frame building adjoining. The first court-house was erected in 1841. The earliest settlers of the place had to go to Milwaukee or Racine for their letters; this, however, was not suffered long; through the perseverance of General W. B. Sheldon a post-office was soon established here, and Mr. Janes appointed the first postmaster. He was properly installed into his duties by Dr. B. B. Carey, postmaster at Racine, on the 23d day of April. The first mail arrived carried by a Mr. Payne on horseback. For a long time Janesville was used as a distributing-point for several postal routes, and individuals came here for letters for a distance of twenty miles. The first store opened was by Mr. Janes in the third story of his log tavern; his stock soon became reduced, and Mr. J. abandoned the business. The first regular merchant doing business in a in a business-like place and manner was Mr. Thomas Lappin, now a resident of the place, and proprietor of one of the finest blocks in this city. He at first rented a room, but at a later date purchased the lot on which his block now stands, and in a short time got a building so far completed as to call it a store, and opened a general assortment, the entire stock costing one hundred and twenty five dollars. In a short time his trade increased, until his shelves were burdened with the best and finest fabrics in great quantity. Daniel A. Richardson was the second merchant in Janesville; as evidence of his success in trade we have the fine commercial block erected by him. From that time to the present Janesville has had a constant and steady growth. The first buildings erected were of the most primitive character, owning to a lack of funds and the exorbitant prices paid for material; these, however were but of short duration, the growth of the young city soon outstripped its swaddling- clothes, and where these modest cabins once stood may now be seen palatial residences and handsome and costly business blocks, second in point of architectural beauty and intrinsic worth to those of no other town in the State of its size.

Janesville became a city with corporate powers in 1853, under a charter from the legislature, and after the election of officers a new order of things was inaugurated: more attention was paid to sidewalks, a system of sewerage was commenced, and initial steps were taken toward a more complete system of schools than the place had before enjoyed. This was a wise step, as the scholastic advantages offered by a town are always carefully weighed in the balance by heads of families who contemplate a change of residence.

If there is any one thing more than another of which the citizens of Janesville are justly proud, it is their schools; other interests have been made subservient to this cherished object, and every effort made to advance her educational interests by reaping the benefits to be derived from our free-school system. With this object in view, the city has erected several buildings, which are alike enduring monuments to their projectors and builders as well as ornaments to the city. It is a matter of pride to those now living that settled in an early day, to look back and see what gigantic strides have been made in a few years in educational and religious matters. Only a few years since, and our schools were kept in primitive log cabins, each father and mother being the tutors of their own children, imparting such rudimentary education as their facilities afforded; and at the same time our religious meetings were held in the cabins of private citizens, and those desirous of attending divine services often went many miles to avail themselves of an opportunity. No better evidence can now be had of the religious zeal of the citizens of Janesville than to review the number of religious societies and places of worship existing in the city, and the very gratifying evidence of growth and prosperity which these societies exhibit. The sound of the church bell, as often as it is heard on the Sabbath-day, does not fail to call together hundreds of devout citizens to listen to the truths of the gospel as they are proclaimed by the able occupants of the several pulpits. The system of public schools in the city, as organized and graded under the arrangement of the present able and efficient board of directors and accomplished corps of teachers, is equalled by that of but few towns in the State, and excelled by none. The course of study is thorough and complete, running through all the grades from a primary to an academic education. The course in the high school includes a graduating course fitting young men and ladies for college.

Last updated July 28, 2002 -- Copyright 2002 Lori Niemuth