Thomas Lappin House
Introduction
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This is one of Janesville's more elegant examples of the Italianate style, built in 1864. Thomas Lappin, the owner, was Janesville's first merchant.
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Thomas Lappin House: Past and Present
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
The Italianate style (1850-1885) is based on the architecture of Renaissance Italy, particularly rural houses of Tuscany. It was a very popular style in America before the Civil War, and there are many varieties in Janesville, ranging from stone mansions to one-story cottages. Narrow clapboard siding clad the exterior of most examples, such as the Thomas Lappin House, but cream brick and stone were employed at the William M. Tallman House.