New Book Illustrates Growth of West Side Neighborhood

February 15, 2005

For more information: Alice Punwar, 608-274-0428

Midvale Heights Community Association, one of the oldest neighborhood associations in Madison, has marked its 50^th anniversary by publishing a history of the area.  Forests, Farms and Families: A History of the Midvale Heights Neighborhood, is a well-written, profusely illustrated book that begins with the last glacier and ends with the tornado of 2004 (and takes only 90 pages to do so).  The book is a treasure trove of factoids and pictures from mid-century to today, including an aerial photo showing that Midvale Blvd. has not always been a through-street.  Among other things, the appendices include old maps, a list of the homes in the neighborhood built by Marshall Erdman, and the bird species nesting in Odana Marsh.

The book’s editors hope that the book will particularly interest former residents of the neighborhood, which is generally bounded by Midvale Blvd., Mineral Point Rd, Whitney Way, and the beltline. However, anyone interested in Madison’s history, particularly the growth of the west side in the 1950s and 60s, will find this book interesting. Been wondering about the origin of street names like Togstad Glenn? Or the story behind the buffalo guarding the bike path at Midvale Blvd.? It’s all here.

The book is a product of four years’ work by a group of Midvale Heights volunteers and was edited by retired UW-Madison professor Alice Punwar. Betty Bunge, who had lived in Midvale Heights since 1972, conceived the idea of the book and was the driving force behind its progress for several years until her death last year. The book is dedicated to her. 

The book was published with support from the Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission, the Madison Community Foundation, and the Overture Foundation and is available for $10 at the Sequoya Branch Library, 513 South Midvale Blvd,
or from Dan Nason 608-274-2841 or