State Capitols – Madison, Wisconsin - Outside

Wisconsin Capitol in Madison (19 June 2009)

Constructed: – 1906-17

Architect: – George B. Post

State Admitted to Union: May 29, 1848 (30th)

State Population (2010): 5,686,986 (20th)

We interrupt our travels in Iceland to recognize today’s important presidential primary election and display a favorite capitol. When the State House Odyssey was first presented in 2011, the initial plan was to post them in the order they were visited. Then I thought I should be more blog-like and topical, so the Cheyenne, Wyoming capitol was posted because we were just there. That didn’t lead to an established pattern either. I guess I should stop analyzing and planning and just admit I’ll post what I want when I want.

Oh yes…another abandoned plan was to start with the capitols in states that were home. That way, I could speak from the experience as a resident, not just a visitor. In that vein, Maryland’s capitol has been the only one presented thus far from the four states that have been home.

Wisconsin was home for five years. The early 70’s were known for terrible winters…when I actually told my students that scientists were concerned about the ‘greenhouse effect’ because it might result in another ice age. Those were the days. Although I was so ready to escape Wisconsin for Louisiana, my appreciation for the state has increased each of the many times I have returned.

Capitol Symmetry, Madison (18 June 2009)

In 1836, Congress formally dedicated the Wisconsin Territory. Carved out of the original Northwest Territories, the land included what is now Minnesota and Iowa. Madison, named after our fourth president and home of the University of Wisconsin Badgers, has been the capital since Wisconsin became a state in 1848.

The Capitol building is the third in Madison and is in the heart of downtown, on the narrow land between two lakes, Mendota and Monona. Ironically, the second capitol was destroyed by fire in 1904, just a few weeks after the legislature voted to cancel its fire insurance.

The current building’s footprint is cruciform (cross-shaped) with four wings that radiate from the central rotunda. With four equal wings, the building has no obvious front. Financial limitations extended the construction schedule as each wing was completed separately.

The capitol exterior is made entirely of Vermont granite. The outer dome is the largest granite dome in the world and the only one in this country.

Wisconsin Capitol (12 September 2005)

The grounds are rather spare in the statue and memorial department. On the approach from State Street (see above) is a statue called ‘Forward.’ Originally created for the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago, the heroic, female figure came to be associated with the women’s suffrage movement.

Col. Heg Guards the Capitol (18 June 2009)

On the King Street approach is a statue of Col. Hans Christian Heg. Like many northern capitols, Wisconsin’s has a place of honor for a Civil War hero. Born in Norway, he became an ardent abolitionist and led the only regiment of Scandinavian immigrants in the war. He was the highest-ranking Wisconsin officer to die in battle.

Entrance Lamps, Wisconsin Capitol, Madison (18 June 2009)

Although the state was home to the infamous Senator Joe McCarthy, until recently, it continued to enjoy a well-earned reputation for progressive politics and legislation. “Fighting Bob” La Follette is considered one of the finest senators in U.S. history. The state was the first to enact minimum wage and unemployment compensation laws. It was the first to create a Public Service Commission. Milwaukee had socialist mayors for decades in the 20th century. Many states have followed Wisconsin’s lead to create their own progressive legislation.

Later, after we finish the Iceland adventure, we’ll post some shots of the magnificent interior.