Series: Wisconsin State Capitol Buildings

Subseries: 1st, 2nd, 3rd capitols (1848-1913)
Alternate Format: Some images also available online.

The four Wisconsin Capitols
Note

First Wisconsin Territorial Capitol at Leslie (formerly Old Belmont), Wisconsin

The first Wisconsin Territorial Capitol was a building rented by the Legislature, which met there for 46 days in 1836. It was used as a barn after about 1878.

The first Wisconsin Territorial Capitol, circa 1870
Note: Photograph by J.L. Nye, Platteville, Wisconsin

Used as a barn, 1902 or 1906

Used as a barn, 1906

First and second floors of the building while it was used as a barn, 1906

Structure shown while it was later used as a barn on the Charles Arthur farm, between 1906 and 1912?

South side of the building while it was used as a barn, between 1906 and 1912
Note: Upper photo by Lee Williams, Platteville, 1912.

Mrs. David Morgan, Mineral Point, took this snapshot on a high school outing, 1912 or 1913

Tablet marker on the site of the first Wisconsin Territorial Capitol, about 1920

First capitol before and after its restoration in 1924, 1923 and 1924
Note: Top: From Capitol to barn. Bottom: Restoration Ceremonies.

Building as restored in 1924, 1924

Mrs. Dexter on the steps of the first Wisconsin Territorial Capitol, where she lived as a girl after the capitol was transferred to Madison, circa 1924?

Restored Wisconsin Territorial Capitol, undated

Wisconsin Territorial Capitol building, 1929
Note: Photographer: Diemer.

Wisconsin Territorial Capitol, 1932

Wisconsin Territorial Capitol, circa 1940

Wisconsin Territorial Capitol, 1940s?
Note: Photo by the Wisconsin Conservation Department

Northwest corner of the interior, circa 1945

Wisconsin Territorial Capitol, circa 1948

Wisconsin Territorial Capitol, 1949 November 30

Wisconsin Territorial Capitol and "Supreme Court" building of Wisconsin Territory, circa 1955-1960

"Supreme Court" building of Wisconsin Territory, 1957
Note

"Supreme Court" building of Wisconsin Territory (embracing present Iowa and Minnesota) was built in 1836 of lumber brought by water from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Constructed for use as the Supreme Court but never actually used. The only session of the court at Old Belmont held in 1836 in the Legislative building, while the court was under construction, was quickly adjourned for lack of business. The court was moved soon after to Burlington, Iowa, and then to Madison.

The building was later used as a horse barn on the Charles C. Arthur farm and later as the residence of Charles Dunn. The Supreme Court building was restored and moved to a new foundation beside the restored Territorial Capitol on the grounds of the First Capitol State Park and was dedicated October 27, 1957.

Journal of the constitutional convention held in Madison, 1846, undated

Committee reports of the constitutional convention held in Madison, 1846, undated
Note

The second Wisconsin State Capitol (the first built in Madison)

The corner stone was laid in 1837; the building was occupied in 1838, completed in 1848, and used until 1863.

The third State Capitol, circa 1900

The Wisconsin State Capitol, circa 1899

Speaker's desk in the Assembly Chamber, 1899?

The Wisconsin State Capitol from East Washington Avenue, circa 1899
Note: Photographer: Charles N. Brown.

The Wisconsin State Capitol from West Washington Avenue, circa 1898
Note: Photographer: Charles N. Brown.

The Wisconsin State Capitol, circa 1896
Note: Photographer: Charles N. Brown.

The Wisconsin State Capitol, circa 1896
Note: An original blueprint is among views of Madison in the collections of the Wisconsin Historical Society.

Dome, circa 1895
Note: Photographer: Andrew C. Nielson, Madison.

The Wisconsin State Capitol as it appeared as an engraving on a contemporary bank check, circa 1850

The Wisconsin State Capitol, circa 1850

Copy from a lithograph vignette on George Harrison's "Map of the City of Madison," 1855

Plan of the Convention Chamber, 1847

Plan of the Senate Chamber showing seating arrangement, 1855
Note: Original diagram printed by Argus and Democrat.

Plan of the Assembly Hall showing seating arrangement, 1855
Note: Original diagram printed by Argus and Democrat.

Illustration from the American Encyclopedia, circa 1856
Note

This wood-engraving with flag added also appeared in Gleason's Pictorial Drawing Room Companion, 1851, page 229. A variant appears in St. Louis Pictorial Advertiser and Illustrated Business Directory, volume 1 (1858-1859), page 371.

The third Wisconsin State Capitol (the second in Madison, Wisconsin), 1857-1913.

The contract for the dome was let in May 1868, with work to be finished before December 1869. The rotunda was completed in 1868; the dome was completed in 1869.

From an ambrotype copy of the design by Samuel Hunger Donnel and August Kutzbock of Madison, architects, showing the dome originally proposed, 1857?

Copy-print of the ambrotype copy of the design by Samuel Hunter Donnel and August Kutzbock of the firm Donnel and Kutzbock, architects, showing an alternative dome from that which was later built, 1857?

Photocopy of drawing by S.V. Shipman, architect, for exterior detail of the dome of the Capitol, 1857?

Center portion of the lithographed view by Schnabel and Finkeldy, Philadelphia, published by Hough and Ligowski, photocopied without the surrounding border of the original, 1857

Lithograph by Schnabel and Finkeldy, Philadelphia, published by Hough and Ligowski, 1857
Note: The dome shown in this early print is not the one constructed.

Drawing by S.V. Shipman, architect, of section of the rotunda of the Capitol, 1857?

Plan of the Assembly Chamber in the east wing, the first unit of the building, constructed in 1857-1859, showing the seating arrangement, 1860

The Wisconsin State Capitol, 1865

Plan of the Senate Chamber in the west wing, showing the seating arrangement, 1866

Plan of the Senate Chamber in the west wing, showing the seating arrangement, 1867

Plan of the Assembly Chamber in the east wing, showing the seating arrangement, 1866

View of the third Capitol from Wisconsin Avenue, circa 1868

"Rare Old Print of First Wisconsin Capitol Minus Famous Dome Discovered": article, 1928

Wisconsin State Capitol, between 1863 and 1868?

Wisconsin State Capitol, 1868?

Wisconsin State Capitol, circa 1870
Note: Stereograph by N.P. Jones, Madison.

Wisconsin State Capitol
Note: Stereograph by E.R. Curtiss, Madison.

Ruins after the collapse of the unfinished south wing on 1883, 1883 November 8
Note: Stereograph by N.P. Jones, Madison.

Ruins after the collapse of the unfinished south wing, 1883
Note: Photo by J.M. Fowler, Madison.

Wisconsin State Capitol from East Washington Avenue, 1884
Note: Photo by J.M. Fowler, Madison.

Wisconsin State Capitol from East Washington Avenue, between 1885 and 1890?
Note: Photo by A.C. Isaacs, Madison.

Wisconsin State Capitol, between 1887 and 1889?

Lithograph that appeared in the 1895 Wisconsin Bluebook, 1889

Interior view of the rotunda of the Wisconsin State Capitol, circa 1870
Note: Stereograph by Andrew L. Dahl.

Lithograph of Wisconsin State Capitol by Milwaukee Lith. and Eng. Co., 1874

Wisconsin State Capitol from Wisconsin Avenue, between 1872 and 1883
Note: Photo by Charles N. Brown.

View from the southwest, circa 1875
Note: Photo by I.A. Ridgway.

View from Monona Avenue. The group of bystanders is posed around a replica of the Centennial Fountain, which had been erected in Philadelphia in 1876, between 1876 and 1879
Note: Photograph by Andrew L. Dahl. A variant view is filed in the Dahl Collection.

Wisconsin State Capitol, 1877

Wisconsin State Capitol, circa 1870
Note: Photo by N.P. Jones, Madison.

Wisconsin State Capitol, 1870s?
Note: Photo by N.P. Jones, Madison.

Wisconsin State Capitol, 1878
Note: Photo by N.P. Jones, Madison.

Fountain on the grounds of the Wisconsin State Capitol, between 1895 and 1900?
Note: Photo by Charles N. Brown.

Wisconsin State Capitol, 1870

Lithograph of State Capitol by Milwaukee Litho. and Engr. Co., 1878

Lithograph of Wisconsin State Capitol by Milwaukee Litho. and Engr. Co., 1881

Wreckage of Wisconsin State Capitol after the collapse of the south wing, 1883

Ruins after the collapse of the unfinished south wing, 1883
Note: Photos by J.M. Fowler, Madison.

Wisconsin State Capitol, circa 1889?
Note: Photo by E.R. Curtiss, Madison.

Wisconsin State Capitol, between 1887 and 1889?
Note: Photo by E.R. Curtiss, Madison.

Wisconsin State Capitol, 1889 August 2
Note: Photo by E.R. Curtiss, Madison.

Wisconsin State Capitol, circa 1890
Note: Photo by Nielson, Madison.

Wisconsin State Capitol from Monona Avenue, circa 1890

Wisconsin State Capitol from Monona Avenue, 1890s?
Note: Photo by Charles N. Brown, Madison.

Wisconsin State Capitol, between 1890 and 1896?

Wisconsin State Capitol from West Washington Avenue, 1890s?

Wisconsin State Capitol, between 1890 and 1895?

Office of the State Board of Control of Wisconsin Reformatory, Charitable and Penal Institutions, in the third State Capitol, circa 1893

Lithograph of Wisconsin State Capitol by Henry Gugler Company, 1895

Wisconsin Woman's Memorial of the Columbian Exposition, 1893, on the grounds of the Wisconsin State Capitol, between 1895 and 1900?

Wisconsin State Capitol, circa 1900

Fountain on the grounds of the third Wisconsin State Capitol, circa 1900

Wisconsin State Capitol, circa 1902?

Capital Park, 1902

Grand Army Headquarters and Memorial Hall, looking north, 1903

Fountain on the grounds with the Capitol behind it, circa 1902

Lithograph of State Capitol by F.C. Kropp, between 1900 and 1904?

Wisconsin State Capitol, between 1900 and 1904?

Wisconsin State Capitol from Wisconsin Avenue, 1904 July 17

Fountains in Capitol Park, circa 1906

State Treasury Office. Second from left is Arthur Pugh, chief accountant and office manager, 1907?

Iron fence from Capitol grounds, now at Sparta, Wisconsin, undated
Note: This iron fence, which once surrounded the second Capitol at Madison, is now (as of 1952) around the Children's Center at Sparta, Wisconsin.

Iron fence, 1952?

Iron fence, circa 1952?
Note

Photographed by Wilbur Glover.

Fire of February 27, 1904, which severely damaged much of the Capitol building

West wing of the Capitol showing the ravages of the fire, 1904

Interior of the Capitol showing the ravages of the fire, 1904

Views, 1904

East wing of the Capitol showing the results of the fire, 1904

View of the Capitol fire from the center of East Main Street block, about 4 a.m., 1904 February 27
Note: This striking photograph was made by Joseph Livermore of Madison when he was 15 years old, using a vest pocket Kodak. He then sold small prints at 5 cents each, reputedly to finance the purchase of a bicycle (the boy wished to charge 10 cents, but his father was of the opinion that this price was exhorbitant). A print purchased by an out-of-town commercial photographer was used to produce copies from which Livermore received no profit.

Capitol, 1904
Note: Photo by E.R. Curtiss, Madison.

Fire damage, corridor, second floor south wing, looking north, 1904

Crowds looking at Capitol, 1904
Note: Photo probably by A.J. Friedl.

Ruins in corridor, second floor north wing, looking south, 1904

Capitol, 1904
Note: Photo probably by A.J. Friedl.

View in corridor, first floor, looking west, 1904

Burning of the old state Capitol, 1904

The west wing during the fire, 1904 February 27

The east wing during the fire, 1904 February 27

The south wing during the fire, 1904 February 27

View of the east wing looking north, 1904

Ruins in Assembly Chamber, 1904

Ruins on the top floor of the south wing, 1904

Ruins in the Senate Chamber, 1904

Ruins in the office of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, in the east wing, 1904

Ruins, 1904

Ruins on the second floor of the north wing, looking south, 1904

Subseries: 4th (1913-present)
Alternate Format: Some images also available online.

Note: Third State Capitol in Madison, Wisconsin and present capitol. Construction began in 1906 and went in phases. The last section of the old Capitol was removed in 1913, the massive dome crowning the new building was completed in 1915, and the new Capitol was finished in all details in 1917.

Architect's design, undated

Architect's design, 1906?

Architect's design, undated

Outline comparison of the contour and heights of the domes of the Wisconsin State Capitols and the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Removal of the flagpole, preparatory to demolition of the third Capitol building during construction of the fourth Capitol, 1907?

Demolition of the dome during construction of the fourth Capitol, 1907?

Demolition of the third Capitol during construction, 1907?

Wisconsin State Capitol under construction, 1910

Section of steel structure for the rotunda under construction, circa 1910

Construction crew working on the foundations of the dome, 1910

Showing concrete abutments of the dome under construction, 1910-1911?

Dome under construction, 1910

East wing of the new State Capitol and pediment

Dome in course of construction, 1911
Note: Photo by Edward C. Nielson, Madison.

New Capitol under construction while north wing of old Capitol remains standing at right, 1911-1912

New Capitol under construction, as it appeared during a fire in the Baillie-Hedquist clothing store on the southeast side of the Capitol square, 1911-1912?

Dome under construction, 1911-1912?

Carvers at work on the figures at the base of the dome. Karl Bitter, primary sculptor, 1911-1912?

View from South Hamilton Street, circa 1912

New Capitol, showing the north wing of the old Capitol still standing at the right, 1912?
Note: Photo by Florence C. Hays, who at one time was a librarian in the Wisconsin Legislative Reference Library

New Capitol, showing the north wing of the old Capitol still standing at the right, 1912

Capitol from south, under construction, 1913

Workmen demolishing the north wing, 1913 October
Note: Photo by Juan Diaz.

Workmen razing the last remaining wing of the third Capitol building as the new Capitol (background) is constructed on the same site, 1913

Showing figures around the dome, 1913-1914?

Construction of the north wing, Wisconsin State Capitol, 1914 July

"Wisconsin," artist's working model for the final heroic-sized bronze created in 1914 by the sculptor Daniel Chester French to crown the Wisconsin State Capitol dome
Note: The model here represented is in the possession of the sculptor's daughter, Margaret French Cresson, Chesterwood, Stockbridge, Massachusetts.

Starting to raise the gilded bronze figure "Wisconsin," which surmounts the dome, 1914 July
Note: The statue is by Daniel Chester French and weighs over three tons.

Raising the bronze figure "Wisconsin" to the top of the dome, 1914 July

Placing the bronze figure "Wisconsin" on top of the dome, 1914 July 20

Capitol dome, 1914?

French's bronze statue "Wisconsin" on top of the Capitol dome, circa 1915
Note: Photo by Photoart House Inc., Madison.

East portico showing the sculpture by Karl Bitter in the pediment, circa 1915-1920

Wisconsin State Capitol: postcard

Wisconsin State Capitol, 1917

Wisconsin State Capitol from the west, 1917-1920?

Wisconsin State Capitol, 1919?
Note: Photo by E.R. Curtiss, Madison.

South pediment, circa 1920
Note: See The Wisconsin Capitol, Official Guide and History / by C.A. Holst, page 13.

South entrance, circa 1920

Air view, 1920s?

Wisconsin State Capitol, 1920s?
Note: From the Albertype Collection

Wisconsin State Capitol, 1925-1930?

South pediment, circa 1925

Wisconsin State Capitol as it appeared on the day of the funeral of Robert M. LaFollette Sr., 1925 June

Entrance, 1935-1940?

From West Washington Avenue, 1935-1940?

Night view, circa 1940
Note: Photo by N.B. Ruud.

From Bascom Hall on the University of Wisconsin Campus, 1930s?

View of the dome on the fourth Wisconsin State Capitol, circa 1940

Wisconsin State Capitol, circa 1944
Note: Photo by Wisconsin Conservation Department, Madison.

Wisconsin State Capitol, circa 1944
Note: Photo by William J. Meuer, Madison.

At night, circa 1945
Note: Photo by Wisconsin Conservation Department, Madison.

Air view looking south, circa 1948

Air view looking north, circa 1948

Southeast entrance, circa 1948

Wisconsin State Capitol, circa 1948

Skyline and Capitol dome from Lake Monona, circa 1948

View up East Washington Avenue toward the Capitol

Wisconsin State Capitol, circa 1945
Note: Photo by Wisconsin Conservation Department, Madison.

Wisconsin State Capitol, circa 1945

Wisconsin State Capitol, circa 1948

Wisconsin State Capitol, circa 1949
Note: Photo by Meuer Photoart House, Madison.

View toward downtown Madison from Willow Road along Lake Mendota, circa 1950
Note: Photo by Frank McAdams, Madison.

Air view from above the University of Wisconsin, looking east, 1950?
Note: Photo by George M. Frisbie of West DePere, Wisconsin.

From the State Street side, circa 1951
Note: Photo by William Wollin, Madison.

Use Restrictions: Work may be subject to copyright restrictions.

Wisconsin State Capitol, circa 1952
Note: Photo by William Wollin, Madison. Used in Wisconsin Calendar, 1954

Use Restrictions: Work may be subject to copyright restrictions.

Detail showing sculpture at the base of the dome, 1952?
Note: Photo by Frank C. McAdams, Madison.

Wisconsin State Capitol, 1954?
Note: Photo by Richard Vesey, Wisconsin State Journal.

Use Restrictions: Work may be subject to copyright restrictions.

State Capitol dome at night, circa 1955
Note: Photo by Richard Vesey, Madison.

Night views of the State Capitol from across the lake, 1955
Note: Photos by Richard Vesey, Madison.

Wing of the Wisconsin State Capitol from Hamilton Street, circa 1957
Note: Photo by Richard Vesey, Wisconsin State Journal.

Showing the statue of Hans Christian Heg, circa 1960

Wisconsin State Capitol, undated
Note: For a similar view see Place File: Madison 119.

Sketches by Richard Houghton (staff of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin)

Statue of Hans Christian Heg on the grounds of the Capitol.
Note

Hans Christian Heg, Colonel of the 15th Wisconsin Volunteers, was born in Norway in 1829. He died in the Civil War Battle of Chickamauga in 1863. The statue was donated to the State of Wisconsin by Norwegian-Americans.

Photo by Meuer Photoart House.

Executive Chamber, 1913

Assembly Chamber, 1913

Senate Chamber, 1913

Anteroom, circa 1915-1920

Lobby of Governor's Office, 1914

Stairway, 1914 April 11

Stairway to the west wing, circa 1915

Supreme Court room, circa 1915

Supreme Court chambers, circa 1915

Showing the east gallery of the rotunda, 1915-1920?

Office of the Governor, 1916

Mural painting in center of dome of the Wisconsin State Capitol, circa 1917

The Executive Chamber, circa 1917

Reception room of the Executive Chamber located on the first floor of the east wing, showing two murals by Hugo Ballin, circa 1917

Parlor from the Assembly Hall, circa 1917

Rotunda, showing the west gallery, circa 1920

Corridor of the Assembly Chambers, circa 1917

Wisconsin State Capitol, 1920-1925?

Assembly Chamber, 1920s?

Senate Chamber, 1920s?

Supreme Court of Wisconsin. The Justices are, left to right: John D. Wickenham, Oscar M. Fritz, Walter C. Owen, Chief Justice Marvin B. Rosenberry, Chester A. Fowler, Edward T. Fairchild, George B. Nelson
Note

The mural painting behind the bench depicts the first formal laws of the United States, "The Signing of the Constitution," by Albert Herter.

Photo by M.E. Diemer.

Mural painting in the Assembly Chamber, by Edward H. Blashfield, depicting the "State of Wisconsin: its Past, Present, and Future."
Note: Photo by Diemer.

"Trial of Oshkosh," a mural in the Capitol painted by Albert Herter

Albert Herter's mural painting in the supreme courtroom of the Capitol titled "Signing of the Magna Carta," representing English law.

Rotunda, circa 1940
Note: Photo by McKillop Art Co.

East gallery, showing entrance to the State Supreme Court, 1946 August
Note: Photo by Henry E. Cockerill, Beloit, Wisconsin.

Rotunda and North Gallery, circa 1948

Assembly chamber in the Capitol showing mural, view from balcony, circa 1955
Note: Photo by Richard Vesey, Madison.

Rotunda and South Gallery, circa 1955
Note: Photo by Richard Vesey, Wisconsin State Journal.

Senate Chamber as seen through an oval window in the door, circa 1955
Note: Photo by Richard Vesey, Madison.

The Madison Turners performing the rotunda of the Wisconsin State Capitol during the State Awards Day meeting of the Junior Historians, 1958

Stairway to the north gallery
Note: Photo by Jules Rogas.

"Signing of the Constitution of the United States," one of the four mural paintings by Albert Herter in the Supreme Court Room

"The Appeal of the Legionary to Caesar Augustus" and "The Signing of the Magna Carta," mural paintings in the Supreme Court Room: postcards

"Appeal of the Legionary to Caesar Augustus," painting by Albert Herter in the Wisconsin Supreme Court Room