Businessman Developer and Entrepreneur

At fourteen Arabut Ludlow was an orphan and was recruited to ride for the Pony Express Company.  He found his way to Chicago and started working a team and wagon to deliver goods to Green Bay in exchange for furs and later went into business for himself selling goods from Chicago to Southern Wisconsin.  Monroe was a favorite stopping place on his route and it soon became his permanent home where he started the first mercantile store and began to purchase land which would eventually total 3000 acres.  He built the Mansion on his first 1500-acre farm north of Monroe.

Mr. Ludlow’s forward thinking forged Monroe into a bustling community.  As a primary investor in the railroad lines to Monroe, goods and services were now able to move freely.  Arabut was a founding member of the First National Bank of Monroe serving as President from 1865-1887.   His friendship with Chicago’s Potter Palmer and Marshall Field influenced him to build the magnificent Ludlow Hotel once standing in downtown Monroe.  His interest in farming, stock breeding, mercantile, politics and banking ensured the growth of Monroe.

Idle Hour Farm

Idle Hour Farm was an operational farm comprised of four working farms.  It was one of the first farms in the Green County region.  The Ludlows’ established progressive farming methods for the period including planting ginseng and the first use of mechanical milking equipment in the area.  Today’s Events Parlor Room resembles in size of the Ludlow Ranch milking parlor which was state of the art in its time..

Horse Racing Excellence

The Idle Hour Farm was well known throughout the United States for its Championship trotter horses.  A horse training track once existed directly south of the Mansion.  Two national champion trotters, Peter McKinney and Calumet Delco were trained and ridden at Idle Hour Farm by nationally acclaimed jockey, Arlie Frost.  The Ludlow family also trained, bred and showed champion Collies.

Over time, many memories have been made at this historic property.  We hope you make great Mansion memories as well.