[2][3] Thomas Lappin arrived in 1839, a few years later, and started the first store in Janesville, on Main Street.

The red brick upper stories and their windows are largely unchanged from 1855, but that original building had a different cornice and did not have the round towers on the corners.

He had specified in his will that his other real estate holdings could be sold, but "in no event sell my four story Block unless my said Executors are unable to mortgage the same."

They renovated the structure, engaging Arthur Peabody and William J. Beauley of Chicago to design updates to the building.

The changes included the unusual round towers on the two corners, covered with sheet metal and decorated more in step with the Queen Anne style that was popular in the 1890s than the original Italianate.

Hood moulds of windows which were replaced by the corner towers were moved to other locations, and fire escapes were added.