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The Doty House, also known as “The Homestead,” was built in 1839 and is possibly the oldest structure in Fond du Lac County. The house was built of square logs with plastered interior walls. The interior still retains the random-width plank flooring, narrow steps to the loft, and exposed (tamarack) tree trunk beams in the basement.

Plant, Cloud, Building, Window

James Doty held one of the original land grants issued for the Wisconsin Territory and became owner of the site in 1836. He lived in the house from 1839-1843. Doty founded the Town and Village of Taycheedah and was responsible for platting the City of Fond du Lac. He served as territorial governor of Wisconsin from 1841 to 1844. The Doty House is located inside the Taycheedah Correctional Institution grounds and is not accessible to the public. The home and a playground is utilized for the extended visit program which allows incarcerated mothers to spend time with their visiting children in a residential setting.