Madison, WI
Capital of Wisconsin
Known as “Mad City”
Overview
Madison is the capital city of Wisconsin, located in the Midwest region of the United States. Founded in 1836, the city has grown to a population of approximately 269,840 residents within a state of 5,893,718 people. As the seat of Wisconsin's state government, Madison serves as the political and administrative center of the state.
The city is home to the Wisconsin State Capitol, a Beaux-Arts structure that has been a landmark since its completion in 1917. Designed by George B. Post & Sons, the capitol building stands as a testament to the state's history and governance, attracting visitors from across the country and around the world.
Madison has served as the capital of Wisconsin since 1838. Before Madison, the state's capital was located in Belmont.
Wisconsin State Capitol
The Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison is situated on an isthmus between Lakes Mendota and Monona, making its hilltop location one of the most scenic of any state capitol. The building features a white Vermont granite exterior and a dome topped with a gilded bronze statue of 'Wisconsin' by Daniel Chester French, the sculptor of the Lincoln Memorial. A local ordinance prevents any building in Madison from exceeding the height of the capitol dome columns.
U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Notable Features
- Gilded 'Wisconsin' statue by Daniel Chester French atop the dome
- White Vermont granite exterior
- Situated on an isthmus between two lakes
- Local height ordinance protects dome's skyline prominence
- Elaborate mosaic floors and murals throughout
- Four symmetrical wings representing branches of government
Media Gallery
Original footage coming soon! User-submitted photos welcome.
Fun Facts & Trivia
- ★The statue atop the dome, called 'Wisconsin,' was sculpted by Daniel Chester French, who also created the Lincoln Memorial statue in Washington, D.C.
- ★A Madison city ordinance restricts building heights so that no structure can be taller than the columns around the base of the dome.
- ★The capitol is situated on an isthmus between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona, one of the most scenic capitol settings in the nation.
- ★Madison was named after James Madison, the fourth President of the United States.
- ★The capitol hosts one of the nation's largest farmer's markets, held on the Square every Saturday from April to November.
- ★The building took 11 years to construct and cost approximately $7.25 million.
- ★Wisconsin is known as 'America's Dairyland,' and the building features artwork celebrating the state's agricultural heritage.