An Alternate Parade of Homes

A week in advance of the Parade of Homes in my community where new homes are showcased by area builders, Historic Madison Inc. presented its 30th Alternate Parade of Homes. It's a chance to see how nice it can be to live in historic neighborhoods in older homes. Many of the homes on this parade could fit into the garages of the new homes that are built today! 

In fact, one of the homes on the Alternate Parade was, indeed, the "garage" of its day. 

This home, set back from the street, was originally a carriage house built in 1911. The sandstone on the house was recovered from the ruins of the Capitol building which burned in 1904. The builder was a realtor who was involved in developing much of Madison's east side. The plans called for a house to be built in front of the carriage house but plans fell through. I was delighted to find that a former colleague of mine has lived in this home for the past 30 years.

The large door on the left, now the home's entrance, was
where the horses pulled in the carriage.

To give them more space, the current owners of the
carriage house raised the roof on the side a few years ago.

One of the newer homes on the Parade was this stone-veneer house constructed in 1936. This engineer who built this house used advanced construction techniques including steel I-beam supports, internal hot-air distribution systems, and rock wool insulation. One of the neatest features in the home was the dining room table made from a red elm taken down in 2010 as a result of contracting Dutch elm disease.

A fabulous metal sculpture stands on the stump of the elm tree.
My first thought was that it was created by Dr. Evermor, the sculptor from Baraboo.
This bird was created by one of his students.

By building a new garage and landscaping the back yard, the owners of this home built in 1922 took advantage of every inch of the small lot on which their home sits.

I liked how many people in this neighborhood turn small yards into beautiful gardens. If there isn't much yard for grass, why have any grass at all? No mowing around this Parade home.

Much of the original woodwork is in this 1915 home.  The open front porch
was converted into a music room. Lots of pine paneling in one of the upstairs
bedrooms with decorative details incorporating the knots in the pine boards.

The use of recycled materials is evident in many of the Alternate Parade homes. The floor by the front door of this home was comprised of recycled clean bricks enameled in multi-colors.

This home's owner has installed a Little Free Library in the front yard.

This Colonial Revival home was built in 1908 by Frank Riley who is considered to be one of Madison's premier architects. He worked in Boston and New York before beginning his practice in Madison. 

A Madison landmark, this home was built by Riley for his parents. The superb details and gracious properties are hallmarks of his work. The home is for sale. A jewel for anyone who appreciates a historic home. But don't be scared off by the ghost that previous owners have said haunts the house!

I doubt I'll be looking at any new homes in this year's Parade that begins on Saturday. The historic homes have so much more character. However, I'll have to wait until 2015 for the next Alternate Parade.