Madison, Wisconsin, USA
1854 - Madison
Madison,. capital of the state of Wisconsin, and seat of justice of Dane county, is pleasantly situated on an isthmus between Third lake and Fourth lake, 80 miles W. from Milwaukee, and 154 miles N. W. from Chicago. Lat. 43° 5' N., Ion. 89° 20' W. It stands in the centre of a broad valley, surrounded by heights from which the town can be seen at a distance of several miles. The isthmus is about three-quarters of a mile in width. Fourth lake, which lies on the N. W. side of the town, is 6 miles long by 4 miles wide. It is a beautiful sheet of water, with clean, gravelly shores. The depth is sufficient for navigation by steamboats, and is estimated at about 60 feet. The Third lake is rather smaller. When this place was selected for the seat of government, in 1836, it contained no building but a solitary log cabin. The capitol, which is a limestone structure, built at an expense of $60,000, stands on ground 70 feet above the level of the lakes, and is surrounded by a public square. The streets which lead from the capitol towards the cardinal points descend gradually to the shores of the lakes, excepting the one which extends westward to College hill. On this eminence, 1 mile W. from the capitol, and about 125 feet above the lake, is situated the university of Wisconsin, which was instituted in 184'J. Three newspapers are published. It contains a bank, 5 or 6 churches, 26 stores, an iron foundry, a woollen factory, and several steam mills. The author of "Western Portraiture" gives the following lively sketch of this place and its environs: — "Madison perhaps combines and overlooks more charming an" diversified scenery to please the eye of fancy and promote health and pleasure, than any other town in the West, and in these respects it surpasses every other state capital in the Union. Its- bright lakes, fresh groves, rippling rivulets, shady dales, and flowery meadow lawns, are commingled in greater profusion, and disposed in more picturesque order than we have ever elsewhere beheld... Nor is it less noteworthy for its business ad vantages and its healthful position. Situated on elevated ground, amid delightful groves and productive lands, well above the cool, clear lakes, it must be healthy ; while the abundance and convenience of fine streams and water-power must facilitate a sound and rapid advancement in agriculture and the mechanic arts. There are also liberal charters for railroads connecting Madison with Milwaukee, Chicago, and the Mississippi, some of which are being pushed ahead with energy. Population in 1840, 876; in 1850, 1525; in 1853, about 3500.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.
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