History

The original home was built as a shotgun house in Scott’s Garden, part of Madison’s historic district. The land was first recorded as sold in 1853, and the house is believed to have been constructed shortly after 1866, when the Voelker family purchased the property. Immigrants from Germany and France, the Voelkers raised eight children here and held the home in their family for 87 years. In 1880, after a foreclosure, Mary re-purchased the home at a sheriff’s sale, keeping it in the family. The Voelker family were devoted members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and all but one son rest together at St. Joseph Cemetery in downtown Madison. In the home’s 172-year history, only four other families have lived here, including its current owners, Ryan and Kelly Rodgers.

Renovations

• Front porch was enclosed during the 1950s, with Bedford stone added to the exterior
• A major addition, including a remodeled kitchen, new flooring, and updated bathrooms, master suite, and garage were completed in 2017, including the addition of large beams to create an open floor plan
• The stable floor was installed with plumbing added for a future bathroom and kitchenette

Special Features 

• Decorative exterior trim on the front of the house
• The wall in the front room signed by the craftsman who installed the wallpaper in 1916
• Plumbing in place for a wood stove in the kitchen
• Original stable still in tact

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