Ten Fun Facts About Madison, Wisconsin

How well do you know the history of Mad City? Here are ten fun facts to prepare you for your next Madison-themed trivia night!

One of only two major U.S. cities built on an isthmus, Madison is the capital of Wisconsin and the state’s largest city. Incorporated in 1956, Madison is currently one of Wisconsin’s fastest-growing metropolitain areas with nearly 700,000 residents.

Presidential Eponym

In the early 1830s, James Doty purchased a plot of land with the intention of developing a city that could eventually become the capital of Wisconsin. After fourth president James Madison died in 1936, Doty decided to name his village after him. He also named the city’s streets after the individuals who signed the U.S. Constitution as a way to honor the prominent legislators.

Capitol Building

In 1837, construction began on the Wisconsin Capitol Building – which was mostly destroyed by a fire in 1907. It was then Developers decided to rebuild the building even larger than before, using 43 types of stone from six countries and eight states. Today, a city ordinance prevents any structure in Madison from being built taller than the Capitol.

Ho-Chunk Nation

The area where Madison resides was once occupied by the Ho-Chunk tribe, who had ten million acres of ancestral land between the Mississippi and Rock Rivers. The Ho-Chunk, one of the two First Nations of Wisconsin, own land in 14 different counties. Today, there are nearly 8,000 members of the Ho-Chunk Nation, with their government headquartered in Black River Falls, Wisconsin.

Badger Miners

As most college sports fans know, the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s mascot is a badger. Wisconsin is known as “The Badger State,” not only because of the animal, but also because early miners mimicked them. To survive harsh winters, lead miners would dig holes and burrow deep into the ground to keep warm while they slept.

WHA Radio

The University of Wisconsin-Madison also lays claim to operating the “oldest radio station in the nation.” WHA began broadcasting on campus in 1917, though it was not officially liscensed until 1922. The station has been in operation for over a century.

City Bird

Believe it or not, the official city bird of Madison is the plastic pink flamingo. In 1979, a campus prankster covered Bascom Hill with over one thousand iconic pink yard decorations. The prank became a popular annual tradition, which inspired the Madison Common Council to declare the plastic pink flamingo the official city bird in 2015.

Brat Fest

The world’s largest Brat Fest has been held in Madison every Memorial Day Weekend since 1983. According to their website, “the World’s Largest Brat Fest has sold more than 4 million brats to help raise almost $2 million to benefit 100+ local charities.” This popular family-friendly event boasts three days of music, fun, and (of course) brats.

The Onion

The popular “news” site The Onion, which publishes satirical articles that comment on social and political topics in a humorous way, has roots in Madison. The infamous website began as a print publication in 1988 and was the brainchild of UW-Madison students Tim Keck and Christopher Johnson.

Dairy Major

Wisconsin is known as “America’s Dairyland”... and with good reason. In 1890, the University of Wisconsin-Madison introduced the first program of its kind: a dairy school. UWM was the first school in the US to offer a dairy major, with over 13,000 students learning about the dairy manufacturing process.

Movie Features

According to IMBD, over 320 movies filmed scenes in Madison. Many of these scenes feature iconic landmarks such as Bascom Hill and the Capitol building. Some of the most popular films shot in Madison include Public Enemies, Back to School, and The Deep End of the Ocean.

And here’s our own favorite fun fact: This year, Penny Mustard opened a showroom in Madison! So when you’re ready for American-made sophisticrafted furniture, come see us!

Read the Penny Mustard story, get tips from our specialists, and find your next favorite heirloom when you sign up for our newsletter.