The neighborhood is named after a turn-of-the-century structure built for a farmers' market is
bordered by Livingston, East Washington, Webster, Hamilton, Butler streets and Lake Mendota.
The market was built as a place where farmers could sell their produce to city residents.
The City Market still stands as apartments at 101 N. Blount St.
The neighborhood is associated with several leading African-American pioneer families and
includes a rooming house that was the first home in Madison of many African-American families
who came north looking for opportunity.
Early in the 1960s, when there was a housing crunch on campus, many of the homes were adapted
for student residences. In recent years, as the university has added more on-campus housing,
the situation has eased, and multi-unit dwellings are now being converted back to single-family
homes.
Gilman Press Building built in 1893, at the corner of 301 North Hamilton and East Johnson
Streets. This building housed a succession of grocery stores and is currently the location of
the Pinkus McBride convenience store.
