Tenney-Lapham Neighborhood was platted as part of the original plat for the city of Madison in 1836. In 1852 the neighborhood was primarily owned by Leonard J. Farwell, who initiated attempts to drain the Great Marsh that stretched east of the capitol to the Yahara River. In that same year he also laid out East Washington Ave. and planted trees along it. Later, in 1899, attorney Daniel K. Tenney gave the Madison Park and Pleasure Drive Association a $4000 grant to purchase 14 acres of marshland which became Tenney Park. Today, the neighborhood contains a diverse population and variety of housing options. Residents have Lake Mendota and the Yahara River at their doorsteps along with nearby parks James Madison, Reynolds and Tenney.
Along with the neighborhood's long history comes a number of historically significant buildings.
Leitch House 752 E. Gorham St. (1857-58): The Leitch House is noted for being one of Madison's best examples of the mid-19th century Gothic revival style. William Leitch immigrated to New York from England in 1829, and later moved to Madison in 1858. A year before arriving in Madison he had already commissioned construction on his house. The elaborate house cost nearly $14,000 at a time when a good frame house could be built for $500. Leitch went on to serve three terms as Madison's mayor in 1862-1864.
City Market 101 Blount St. (1909): The City Market was commissioned by the city in 1909 as part of the nationwide “City Beautiful” movement. Its intended use was to provide area farmers a less congested and more sheltered place from which to sell their goods; however, many preferred the market at the heart of the city. By the 1920s the market had become a dance hall and teen center. The building went on to server a number of different purposes, including a garage for the city streets department. In 1987 the building was given new life and renovated into apartments.
Hill Grocery and Thomas Residence 120 N. Blount St. (ca. 1850, moved 1901 and 1912): The two buildings on this site are a reminder of the first African American communities in Madison. John Turner originally moved the two story commercial building to the site in 1901 as a meeting place for the Douglass Beneficial Society. In 1912 the house was moved to the location as living quarters for the St. Paul A.M.E. Church. In 1917, John W. Hill purchased the property and operated a grocery store on the site until his death in 1980.
Miller House 647 E. Dayton St. (1908): The Miller House is the oldest known building owned by an African American in Madison located in a small historic neighborhood dating to 1898. William Miller moved to Madison from Kentucky in 1901 to serve as a messenger for the governor at the time, “Fighting Bob” LaFollette. William and his wife, Anna Mae, became local leaders in support of African American people. For a time the Millers leased the house to roomers until they moved into the home themselves in 1919.
