A friend of mine sent me this little blast from the past – sounds like they had rental problems way back then as well.
From the WI Democrat, 1852:
Title: “Improvements in Madison” “Notwithstanding many causes for a stagnation in business, the late, cold spring, the almost impassable state of the roads, the immense outward migration, and the unparalleled pressure in the money market, our town opens its spring improvements with a vigor and buoyancy peculiar to the highest prospects and prosperity. Look where you will, about the town, your vision is met by immense piles of bricks, stone and lumber in active transition to elegant, expensive, and permanent residences, stores, and other business houses. While many of the western villages have seriously felt the business revulsions of the last two years, and exhibit the outward signs of dilapidation and premature decay, Madison has exhibited a most healthful and vigorous growth; failures among our business men are of rare occurrence; real property has increased in price to an astonishing degree, in many instances one, two, and three hundred percent, and commands ready sales and prompt payments at that; rents are enormous; the cheapest class tenements in some cases commanding a yearly rent nearly equal to their entire cost, the supply of buildings being entirely inadequate to the demand. With such prosperity under the extremely adverse circumstances of the times, we can scarcely imagine what would be the ratio of increase under the most favorable auspices. All present indications clearly point to this as the great inland town of the state.”
