Wisconsin Bed and Breakfast Association

Walking Iron B&B

The year was 1865; the nation was mourning the loss of Abraham Lincoln, an eighteen-year-old boy named Edison was launching his career, and an enterprising barrel cooper from Milwaukee named William Thompson journeyed to Mazomanie and began building his stately home.

Financed by success with the Mazomanie Flour Mill, Thompson constructed an impressive Italianate home complete with an ornate wraparound verandah, eight-sided porch columns and scrolled brackets, second-story balcony, and widow's walk cupola. To impress business associates and peers, Thompson installed a beautiful curving staircase in the foyer, southern yellow pine floors in the parlor, and plenty of ornamental plasterwork.

Situated one block from the historic downtown of Mazomanie, WI, the home is steeped in local history. Having an extensive photographic record (original 1873 glass plate negatives are available) this home appears the same as it did in 1865! Located just 25 minutes from the Middleton/Madison area, no expense was spared in the exhaustive restoration.