First Capitol Historic Site
Encyclopedia
First Capitol Historic Site is a free admission historic museum located outside Belmont, Wisconsin
. The museum includes two of the buildings first used by territorial legislator
s to meet in Wisconsin Territory
. Currently owned and operated by the Wisconsin Historical Society
, the site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
.
and site promoters tried to prepare sites which could be chosen as the territorial capital, hoping to become wealthy if the capitol was built in their city. One such speculator was John Atchison, who established the village of Belmont, Wisconsin and had four public buildings built there to attract the lawmakers to his site. These wooden buildings, which were constructed outside of Wisconsin and transported to Belmont for final assembly, included a lodging house for the legislators, a house for the territorial governor, a courthouse, and a council house for lawmakers to convene. On September 9, 1836, territorial Governor Henry Dodge
announced that Belmont would be used as the territorial capital, at least for the first legislative session, making Atchison's council house the first capitol. The reason for Dodge's selection of Belmont as capital city was likely because of its location in Wisconsin's lead
mining region, which at that time was the territory's most populous area. However, the selection was controversial, and some contend that Dodge had other motives for the selection based upon his earlier associations with Atchison.
The first session of Wisconsin's territorial legislature
began on October 25, 1836. Soon after the session convened, Governor Dodge gave a speech describing the purpose of the session: to establish a system of government for the territory and make a final selection for the territorial capitol. Perhaps because of the controversy over his choice of Belmont, Dodge announced that he would approve any site the legislature voted to become the permanent capital, even though he had the legal power to veto
all territorial legislation. Most lawmakers were opposed to the idea of continuing to use the capitol at Belmont, for the lodging house was small and crowded, and none of the buildings had heat or water. After much debate, the new city of Madison, Wisconsin
was chosen as the territorial capital.
While legislators were not debating the future site of the capital, they established the territorial government. In all, forty two acts were approved by the legislature before it adjourned on December 9, 1836. These acts organized Wisconsin government, created a judicial system, and established several new counties in the territory. The legislature would not meet again in Belmont, preferring to meet at a temporary location in Burlington
until the new capitol at Madison was completed. Later, in 1838, Burlington became a part of Iowa Territory
, forcing the legislature to move to Madison earlier than anticipated.
and Lake Monona
was developed into the city of Madison. Many of the settlers who had rushed to Belmont when it had been made territorial capital were now leaving for Madison. Still, the village survived, although the route taken by the Mineral Point Railroad prompted most of its residents to relocate three miles to the southeast of the original town in 1867, meaning that the first capitol is now three miles northwest of Belmont.
After being vacated by territorial officials, the capitol building and accompanying structures were used as private residences and barns until the Wisconsin Federation of Women's Clubs initiated a restoration project in 1910, completing a restoration of the original council house in 1924. Later, the lodging house, which had been moved and used as the home of territorial Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles Dunn, was returned to its original site and underwent restoration in 1956. Together, these two structures created First Capitol Historic Site. The site was operated initially by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
. In 1994, it was transferred to the Wisconsin Historical Society
, which is now responsible for the museum's operations.
Belmont, Wisconsin
Belmont is a village in Lafayette County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 871 according to the 2000 census.-History:Founded in 1835 by land speculator John Atchison, Belmont was the original capital of the Wisconsin Territory, and the original territorial capitol building is preserved...
. The museum includes two of the buildings first used by territorial legislator
Legislator
A legislator is a person who writes and passes laws, especially someone who is a member of a legislature. Legislators are usually politicians and are often elected by the people...
s to meet in Wisconsin Territory
Wisconsin Territory
The Territory of Wisconsin was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from July 3, 1836, until May 29, 1848, when an eastern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Wisconsin...
. Currently owned and operated by the Wisconsin Historical Society
Wisconsin Historical Society
The Wisconsin Historical Society is simultaneously a private membership and a state-funded organization whose purpose is to maintain, promote and spread knowledge relating to the history of North America, with an emphasis on the state of Wisconsin and the trans-Allegheny West...
, the site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
Territorial capital
After Wisconsin Territory was created in 1836, early leaders in the territory needed a place to meet and establish the territorial government. Seeing this need, several local land speculatorsSpeculation
In finance, speculation is a financial action that does not promise safety of the initial investment along with the return on the principal sum...
and site promoters tried to prepare sites which could be chosen as the territorial capital, hoping to become wealthy if the capitol was built in their city. One such speculator was John Atchison, who established the village of Belmont, Wisconsin and had four public buildings built there to attract the lawmakers to his site. These wooden buildings, which were constructed outside of Wisconsin and transported to Belmont for final assembly, included a lodging house for the legislators, a house for the territorial governor, a courthouse, and a council house for lawmakers to convene. On September 9, 1836, territorial Governor Henry Dodge
Henry Dodge
Henry Dodge was a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate, Territorial Governor of Wisconsin and a veteran of the Black Hawk War. His son was Augustus C. Dodge with whom he served in the U.S. Senate, the first, and so far only, father-son pair to serve concurrently....
announced that Belmont would be used as the territorial capital, at least for the first legislative session, making Atchison's council house the first capitol. The reason for Dodge's selection of Belmont as capital city was likely because of its location in Wisconsin's lead
Lead
Lead is a main-group element in the carbon group with the symbol Pb and atomic number 82. Lead is a soft, malleable poor metal. It is also counted as one of the heavy metals. Metallic lead has a bluish-white color after being freshly cut, but it soon tarnishes to a dull grayish color when exposed...
mining region, which at that time was the territory's most populous area. However, the selection was controversial, and some contend that Dodge had other motives for the selection based upon his earlier associations with Atchison.
The first session of Wisconsin's territorial legislature
Legislature
A legislature is a kind of deliberative assembly with the power to pass, amend, and repeal laws. The law created by a legislature is called legislation or statutory law. In addition to enacting laws, legislatures usually have exclusive authority to raise or lower taxes and adopt the budget and...
began on October 25, 1836. Soon after the session convened, Governor Dodge gave a speech describing the purpose of the session: to establish a system of government for the territory and make a final selection for the territorial capitol. Perhaps because of the controversy over his choice of Belmont, Dodge announced that he would approve any site the legislature voted to become the permanent capital, even though he had the legal power to veto
Veto
A veto, Latin for "I forbid", is the power of an officer of the state to unilaterally stop an official action, especially enactment of a piece of legislation...
all territorial legislation. Most lawmakers were opposed to the idea of continuing to use the capitol at Belmont, for the lodging house was small and crowded, and none of the buildings had heat or water. After much debate, the new city of Madison, Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
was chosen as the territorial capital.
While legislators were not debating the future site of the capital, they established the territorial government. In all, forty two acts were approved by the legislature before it adjourned on December 9, 1836. These acts organized Wisconsin government, created a judicial system, and established several new counties in the territory. The legislature would not meet again in Belmont, preferring to meet at a temporary location in Burlington
Burlington, Iowa
Burlington is a city in, and the county seat of Des Moines County, Iowa, United States. The population was 25,663 in the 2010 census, a decline from the 26,839 population in the 2000 census. Burlington is the center of a micropolitan area including West Burlington, Iowa and Middletown, Iowa and...
until the new capitol at Madison was completed. Later, in 1838, Burlington became a part of Iowa Territory
Iowa Territory
The Territory of Iowa was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from July 4, 1838, until December 28, 1846, when the southeastern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Iowa.-History:...
, forcing the legislature to move to Madison earlier than anticipated.
Later Use
The isthmus between Lake MendotaLake Mendota
Lake Mendota is the northernmost and largest of the four lakes near Madison, Wisconsin. The lake borders Madison on the north, east and south, Middleton on the west, Shorewood Hills on the southwest, Maple Bluff on the northeast, and Westport on the northwest....
and Lake Monona
Lake Monona
Lake Monona is a freshwater drainage lake in Dane County, Wisconsin surrounded on three sides by the city of Madison, Wisconsin and on the south side by the city of Monona, Wisconsin. It is the second-largest of a chain of four lakes along the Yahara River in the area and forms the south shore of...
was developed into the city of Madison. Many of the settlers who had rushed to Belmont when it had been made territorial capital were now leaving for Madison. Still, the village survived, although the route taken by the Mineral Point Railroad prompted most of its residents to relocate three miles to the southeast of the original town in 1867, meaning that the first capitol is now three miles northwest of Belmont.
After being vacated by territorial officials, the capitol building and accompanying structures were used as private residences and barns until the Wisconsin Federation of Women's Clubs initiated a restoration project in 1910, completing a restoration of the original council house in 1924. Later, the lodging house, which had been moved and used as the home of territorial Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles Dunn, was returned to its original site and underwent restoration in 1956. Together, these two structures created First Capitol Historic Site. The site was operated initially by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is an agency of the state of Wisconsin. Its purpose is to preserve, protect, manage and maintain the natural resources of the state. The WDNR has the authority to set policy for itself and to recommend regulations for approval by the State Legislature...
. In 1994, it was transferred to the Wisconsin Historical Society
Wisconsin Historical Society
The Wisconsin Historical Society is simultaneously a private membership and a state-funded organization whose purpose is to maintain, promote and spread knowledge relating to the history of North America, with an emphasis on the state of Wisconsin and the trans-Allegheny West...
, which is now responsible for the museum's operations.