Corn Exchange

This triangular piece of land in the heart of Janesville was a busy spot in the early days. Wooden hitching posts with iron rings were found around the outside of this area. Here the farmers tied their horses and wagons waiting for buyers to come and buy their produce. They sold cordwood, hay, grain, freshly sheared wool, potatoes and more.

There was a pump located in the center of this area, with a community tin cup hanging on it. Large scales could be found bordering the area. Draymen, (a drayman was of a dray, a low, flat-bed wagon without sides, pulled generally by horses or mules that were used for transport of all kinds of goods,) were shouting across the street to tell customers that they would dray their purchases to their homes for ten or fifteen center. In the 1850's and 1850-s came "drovers". They brought cattle and horses from Illinois and Ohio to this spot where they found a profitable market among the early settlers.

This downtown Janesville area has gone through several changes over the years. It is located where Milwaukee and Franklin Streets cross.

This is the Doughboy

Monument, located

at the Corn

Exchange