{image1}A Wisconsin landmark and perhaps the biggest home of its kind in the state, celebrates its 150th anniversary this year.
Watertown's Octagon House was built in 1854 by John and Eliza Richards. Today, it is run by the Watertown Historical Society and is open for daily tours from May through October.
Octagonal structures became rather plentiful in the mid-1800s throughout the eastern part of the country after Orson S. Fowler wrote "The Octagon House, A Home for All." The form became most prevalent for barns, churches and other structures. Several examples can still be found in Ozaukee County and elsewhere in the state.
Fowler believed the form provided the best use of space. "Nature's forms are mostly spherical," he wrote. "Why not apply this form to houses?"
Richards, an attorney and entrepreneur, was influenced by Fowler's writings. He came to Watertown in 1837 and built a log home, but in order to convince his fiancée to follow him in 1840 he promised to build "the finest home in the area."
Eliza Richards was the daughter of Moses Forbes, who owned the Old Post Road stage line in the East. She had become accustomed to fine living. So, she and her husband set out to establish such a lifestyle in Watertown.
Richards prospered by running a mill and practicing law. He was the first district attorney of Jefferson County and helped set up the county system of government in the state. He also served in the Wisconsin Legislature.
Watertown also prospered in the mid-1800s, growing to a population of 8,500, which made it the second biggest city in the state at the time.
The Richards used mostly Wisconsin materials, yet spared little expense in the Octagon House. It took three years to build and was completed in 1854.
Richards used brick from Watertown for the first two inside walls. The outside wall is made of Cream City brick, which was hauled by oxen and horses via the then new Watertown Plank Road. The road really was made of planks.
Most of the wood in the house came directly from Richards' forest, which grew on the 140-acre site on the west side of the Rock River.
The Octagon House measures 50 by 50 feet in any direction and is believed to be the largest octagonal home in Wisconsin. It sits on a 17-inch foundation and rises to three stories. The home has 57 rooms, counting closets and halls.
When you tour the house, you get a sense of well-used space. The main rooms are square. On the main floor, ceilings are 10 feet, 10 inches high.
The main floor includes a music room, living room, dining room, butlery and conservatory.
This writer's favorite feature is a spiral cantilevered staircase, made of cherry wood and suspended. It gives a definite feel of elegance to the house.
Two of the most unique features of the house are a system for running water, which uses a 12-by-6 foot wooden water tank, and an air conditioning system that utilizes louvers to allow cool air to enter the house and to capture it. Both were very rare in homes during the mid-1800s.
Descendants of the Richards' family lived in the house until 1938. The home was then given to the Watertown Historical Society, which has done a wonderful job of keeping the building and its furnishings in good shape.
Many of the furnishings are originals or were owned by the Richards' descendants. You can really get a feel for the lifestyle of the family. John and Eliza loved to entertain. Their descendants, including their eight children, continued their hospitality.
The historical society has put three other structures on the grounds of the Octagon House. They include the first kindergarten in the country, established in 1856, and a pioneer barn. Both have been moved to the site. A modern visitors' center also has been built on the site.
Tours are held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Dozens of school groups tour the house every year.
The Octagon House is located at 919 Charles St. in a pleasant, historic neighborhood. Events commemorating the 150th anniversary are planned this summer. You can learn more about them and the house at watertownhistory.org.
