The Highland Park Company was incorporated in February, 1906 by C.A. Harper, president, and Vroman Mason, secretary. Their offices were at 22 N. Carroll Street, on the second floor. In May of that year, they filed the plat to create Highland Park. Today's residents would recognize the street names of Stevens Street, Mason Street, Park Place, and Grand Avenue; but the east-west streets had different names on their plat map. Kendall, Chamberlain, and Van Hise appear as McKinley, Vroman, and Harper respectively.

In the 1920's, Highland Park addresses were listed in city directories in relation to the Madison Park and Pleasure Driveway (MPPDA). In 1921, Van Hise Avenue (Harper Street) was the third MPPDA driveway and ended at house number 2230. The 2700 block originally went through one more block to Farley instead of ending in a cul-de-sac. In 1921, Chamberlain Avenue (Vroman Street) was the fourth MPPDA driveway and ended at house number 2301. Houses appeared on the 2500 block in 1927, but not until 1929 for the 2600 block. The 2700 block of Van Hise was added in the 1940's as part of the Rosen-Pearson-Canepa Replat.

The original owners of 2524 Chamberlain bought their house from the Madison Realty Company. This company played a prominent role in developing the city's west side. Its officers were E. Ray Stevens and Alfred T. Rogers. Robert LaFollette, Sr. appointed Stevens as a circuit-judge. Stevens was also a president of the Wisconsin Historical Society. Rogers was a widely-known attorney and a close political and law associate of Robert LaFollette, Sr.

The Regent neighborhood began with Buell's Folly in University Heights and gradually grew west. It was envisioned as a likely place for university professors to live, and a quick perusal of a current Regent Neighborhood Association directory's resident e-mail addresses confirms this is true today. West High School was the site of the Carpenter family farm. The neighborhood is bordered by University Avenue, Farley Avenue, the new bike trail on the south, and Breese Terrace on the east.

2722 Van Hise Avenue. This former ranch house was built in 1941 and was originally smaller. The first owners were Hyman and Betty Schuster, owners of Schuster's Autos. Later tenants were the architect Steve Larson and Tibi Light. Steve designed a second-story suite and extensive cherry woodwork in the living room in 1991. Tibi developed the garden in the backyard. The present owners bought the house in 1998 and have completely remodeled the 1940's kitchen and updated many other aspects of the home while retaining its original feel.

2641 Chamberlain Avenue. Built in 1927, this bungalow home was home to Peter and Katherine Kessenich. Owners before 1999 had remodeled the kitchen and created the master suite. Today's owners have lived in the home since 1999. Their remodeling changes include making two office areas, building a garden/storage shed and deck work. The owners, who are an Interior Designer at Zander's Interiors and an Art Director, have created a colorful eclectic flow which they've made home! They have decorating photos to share.

2524 Chamberlain Avenue. This Greco-Colonial bungalow was originally owned by Willis and Ida Shepard circa 1927. Willis was an assistant superintendent of mails for the post office. The present owners bought the house in 1989 and have before and after photos of their remodeling efforts. The house has grown to allow for a mud room, attached garage, family room and loft-play area. Be sure to stop by the garden after seeing the house.

2512 Chamberlain Avenue. This two-story bungalow built circa 1922 was originally owned by Jesse and Ida Ayers. Jesse was a carpenter for J.H. Findorff and Son. During the world war years, the house became a two-flat. The owner's goal is to renovate the house back to a single-family dwelling and restore the home's lost charm. She has before and after photos of her remodeling efforts in the dining room. Stop by the garden after going through the home.

2530 Van Hise Avenue. This plain Jane 1922 bungalow had an Arts and Crafts second story added in 2001 by its new owners who moved into the house in June. They have made extensive renovations on the first floor in the Arts and Crafts motif. Photos of their improvements will be available on the dining room table. The original owners were Michael and Margaret Faber. Michael ran his carpentry-contractor business out of the home.

2518 Van Hise Avenue. This modified foursquare was built circa 1927. Otto and Petronilla Reiels lived in the home at the time. Otto owned and operated Padgham Painting at 1721 Monroe St. and Capitol Decorating at 1437 Regent St. The present owners bought the house in 1982 and have just completed an extensive restoration of the first and second floors.

Pass by these additional houses:

2632 Mason Street to see the former home of Sarah and John DiRienzo. John was one of four brothers who founded the DiRienzo Monument Company at 2436 Regent.

2730 Chamberlain to see the former home of Caterina and Joseph Canepa. He was born in Italy, and she in Sicily. Joseph operated a clothing and shoe store at Milton and Murray Streets. Caterina directed plays at St. Joseph's church.

2536 Van Hise to see the former home of Margaret and James Marshall. Marshall was a landscape architect and was assistant parks superintendent in Madison when the park system was first organized in 1932. Marshall Park was named in his honor.

2222 Van Hise to see where Estella and Aldo Leopold lived with their children.

2214 Van Hise (cross Elm Street) to see the home of Mae and Frederick Jackson Turner. Turner was a UW history professor in 1891 who had a profound impact on American historians for over a generation. In 1908, he was spending most of his non-teaching time on a university committee to reform abuses in college football. He left the UW for Harvard and later went to Pasadena's Huntington Library as a senior researcher.