A Century of Connection: Revisiting Madison’s Historic Lake View Sanitorium

October 5, 2026

Megan Dewing

Few construction projects remain part of a community nearly 100 years after they are completed. Since opening in 1930, Lake View Sanatorium has overlooked Lake Mendota in Madison, WI through decades of change, adapting to new needs while continuing to serve the people of Dane County. Its story is one of enduring craftsmanship, thoughtful design, and the generations of people connected to it, from the original construction team to members of the Cullen family today.

Building A Legacy

Originally built in 1929-1930, Lake View Sanatorium was Dane County’s first county-operated tuberculosis treatment facility. Perched atop Lake View Hill overlooking Lake Mendota, the facility was considered the most advanced county sanatorium in Wisconsin and would ultimately become the last one built in the state before advances in medicine changed the way tuberculosis was treated.

The architecture reflects the imaging of its era. Designed by Edgar A. Stubenrauch and Law Law & Potter (presently known as Potter Lawson), the building features expansive porches, large windows, and thoughtful layouts intended to maximize access to fresh air and sunlight, which were believed to be the most effective treatments for disease. It housed 125 patient beds, an operating room, outpatient facilities, and specialized “germ trap” vestibules where staff could remove or adjust protective garments when moving between patient rooms.

Historic photographs from our archives of the project capture the building taking shape and offer a glimpse into what construction looked like nearly a century ago.

Among those photographs is an image of J.P. Cullen, founder, and Mark A. Cullen, second generation, standing on the original jobsite. Surrounded by a blank canvas, they could not have known that the soon-to-stand building would continue to serve the community nearly 100 years later, including their own family.

Family Treatment

In 1936, Mark A. was stricken with tuberculosis and was confined to the sanatorium for nine months. There was no cure for the insidious lung disease in those days, although pneumotherapy procedures pumped air into Mark A.’s lungs. His wife, Beatrice, took J.P. and his sister, Marilyn, (third generation) to see their father, who waved to them from a screen porch at the facility. The children were not allowed to get any closer because of fear of contagion. Twelve-year-old J.P. dropped by occasionally to see his dad, who usually stood in a second-story window so he could be spotted by his son. Beatrice kept a tight ship at home while her husband was in quarantine.

One of the few people allowed to visit the sanatorium was Mark A.’s barber, Bernard (Bun) Pike, who came to the sanatorium to cut the fastidious contractor’s hair and freshen him up on a regular basis. In this era before antibiotics, Pike placed himself at risk with each visit, but a lifetime friend does not give up on a buddy. The Cullen family is forever grateful for what he did to keep up Mark A.’s spirits. As a bonus with the hair clipping, Pike relayed the latest Janesville gossip to keep Mark A., the always-eager town booster, up to date on happenings around the community.

Mark A. finally returned home the following summer, nine months later.

Standing The Test of Time

Medical advances eventually transformed the fight against tuberculosis, so facilities like Lake View were no longer needed for their original purpose. The sanitorium closed in 1966 and was transferred to Dane County Human Services, allowing the building to continue serving the community.

Nearly a century after construction began, the building remains a prominent feature of the landscape overlooking Lake Mendota. While the property has evolved through additions, utility upgrades, preservation efforts, and adaptive reuse, the historic structure continues to serve the public today as a county human services office.

Visitors can explore the 48-acre property and learn about its history through informational displays located throughout the grounds. What was once built as a place of healing remains an important community asset and a tangible connection to Madison’s past.

A Connection Across Generations

During a recent visit to the property, Co-President, George Cullen, fifth generation, and his father, Mark Cullen, fourth generation, came across the original dedication sign, recognizing JP Cullen’s role in constructing the facility many decades ago. Standing beside the same sign that has endured for generations creates a special connection between past and present, where members of the Cullen family can still visit the property, walk its grounds, and see the lasting impact of the work firsthand.

While the people who built Lake View could not have imagined the changes the next century would bring, the building remains a visible reminder of their craftsmanship and the role it has played in serving the community nearly 100 years later.