Hanchett-Bartlett Homestead
The Hanchett-Bartlett Homestead, an 1857 Victorian farmstead,
is located at 2149 St. Lawrence Ave. in Beloit. The historic
site features the home of James Hanchett, a pioneer contractor
and builder of dams, who came to Beloit in 1840. He
built dams in Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin, including the
first dam across the Rock River at Beloit in 1844.
In 1857 he erected a home of locally quarried limestone for his
wife and ten children. The house, a transitional Greek
revival-Italianate style, today is restored in its period colors
and contains furnishings of 1850-1885. The original stone
barn and smokehouse, a restored rural schoolhouse and a picnic
area are also located on the grounds.
The Herrick Bartlett family acquired the property
in 1901. Of their nine children three daughters, Mary,
Edith and Etta, became doctors. In 1962 the Bartlett sisters
deeded their home to the Beloit Historical Society, and in 1977
the Hanchett-Bartlett Homestead was placed on the National
Register of Historic Places.
Call 608-365-7835 or e-mail for more information.