Milton & Janesville, Wisconsin

In the first episode of this podcast we start the season in southern Wisconsin, just outside of Janesville in the small town of Milton. There was a lot to do in the area if you’re a history buff, so let’s dive in!

The Milton House

As this was the subject of the episode, obviously this is something you need to see. As it is the only Underground Railroad site in the state that’s open to the public, it might be the most unique and moving story that Wisconsin has to offer. It is also the oldest poured grout building in the United States, so if you’re into odd building materials, which I have to imagine is a thing for some people, this is also a unique place to stop.

The Milton House Museum is operated by the Milton Historical Society, which does a great job of giving visitors an idea of what the Milton House would have been like when it was still an inn on the stagecoach line, with period-appropriate artifacts and displays throughout the complex. The hexagonal house itself is a multi-level experience in itself, with the former boarding rooms staged as vignettes of the many types of travelers that the site would have encountered when it was in operation.

Of course, the main focus of the Milton House is its connection to the Underground Railroad, and particularly the Goodrich family that owned and operated the establishment. The most poignant portion of the tour is the actual tunnel that connects the Milton House to an outlying cabin. This part of the tour really elicited my emotions as you begin to understand how uncertain and fearful the journey from slavery to freedom must have been. There’s also a stunning mural that guides you down the stairway to the basement and tunnel portion of the complex, which depicts enslaved individuals on their quest for freedom.

One final thing to note - The Underground Railroad is a metaphor. There isn’t an actual railroad and most of it isn’t underground, even though at the Milton House there happens to be an underground tunnel.

Good Works Brewing Company

After you visit the Milton House, walk just across the street to the Good Works Brewing Company. I love when brewing and history are combined, and they’ve done a great job of it at GWBC. I know they occasionally partner with the Milton House for presentations about Milton area history, so if you happen to be in town while one of those talks is happening make sure to check it out.

They have also partnered with the Northside Brewing Excavation efforts in Janesville, bringing back to life historic beer styles and recipes to raise funds and awareness of the excavation efforts in Janesville. Which leads us to…

The Northside Brewing Excavation Project

While there is a great craft beer presence in the area, there also was a historic brewery in Janesville that started in the 1850s and lasted through Prohibition, but failing in the 1930s, finally being razed in the 1940s. Lost to time and totally covered up by infill, a group of volunteers have been excavating the area along the Rock River since 2015. It is truly a fascinating experience to stand in the former brewhouse or aging cellar and imagine what the complex would have been like in its heyday, brewing beer for the thirsty population of Janesville.

Where I Stayed

I was grateful to be provided with lodging by episode partners, the Janesville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, at the gorgeous Century Elms Bed and Breakfast. This 1857 mansion turned B&B feels like you’ve gone back in time, with all the modern amenities. Owners Rich and Chris make you feel very welcome and Rich gave me a great tour of the house, even letting me go up into the observation deck of the cupola, which has great views of the surrounding area. Chris also makes a killer breakfast. It may be the best breakfast I’ve ever had in a bed and breakfast and that’s saying something.

Stops for Next Time

It’s hard to hit all of the historical stops in any community and Janesville is no exception. Just across the street from the Northside Brewing Excavation site is the Rock County Historical Society and their site museum, The Lincoln-Tallman House. Abraham Lincoln stayed at the house in 1859, a year before he was elected President. It is the only recorded instance of Lincoln staying a night in Wisconsin.

I also found out later that the longest running Chinese restaurant in America is located in Janesville, having opened in 1922. That’s going to be a must stop meal on my next trip to Janesville.