Did you know that Madison is home to the world’s largest Brat Fest?
Nah, just kidding. If you know us, you know we’re here for the deep cuts — and there’s plenty of interesting factoids to go around. As connoisseurs of the quirky and unconventional, we put together a list of 608’s history, oddest characteristics, and more. Maybe you’ve lived here your whole life and know some of this, or maybe you’ll learn something new.
Either way, test your local knowledge with these 20 interesting facts.
Mad Facts
Made entirely of granite, the state capitol’s dome is the largest in the US.
There is a “Madison curse” on movies filmed in the 608. Big-budget projects filmed here often fall short of success. Think: “Public Enemies,” “I Love Trouble” and “The Last Kiss”.
The Dane County Farmer’s Market is the largest producer-only market in the country.
Speaking of the farmers’ market — Stella’s Bakery sells over 64,000 loaves of hot spicy cheese bread a year.
Madison is one of only two major US cities on an isthmus, Seattle being the other. Hey SEAtoday.
There are plenty of hiding places on the isthmus.
Photo by Dane Dances
History
Madison is named after Founding Father and President James Madison. According to the Wisconsin Historical Society, the fourth US president never visited 608.
We can thank James Duane Doty for our city’s name, too. This politician, businessman, and land speculator owned much of the land between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona with plans of building a city. He wanted to name it after Madison for his contributions to the US Constitution.
One more Doty fact. He’s also the reason there’s an East and West Doty Street by the State Capitol building. He wanted all the streets to be named after Madison’s colleagues, but that’s for another day...
University of Wisconsin
Our faithful college wasn’t always known as the “Badgers” throughout its history. It’s actually gone through many name changes, including simply “Madison,” “Madison’s Boys,” and “Madison Team.” We like “Badgers” best, to be honest.
The first bone marrow transplant in the US was done at the UW Hospital in 1968.
Our official city bird — the plastic pink flamingo — is an homage to an infamous UW-Madison student prank.
The popular satirical media company, The Onion, was founded in 1988 by UW-Madison students Tim Keck and Christopher Johnson.
Since 1951, UW-Madison has made its own ice cream on campus at Babcock Hall Dairy Store.
Bucky Badger’s full name is Buckingham U. Badger. The Mascot Hall of Famer’s birthday is October 2, 1940.
Landmarks
You can find several Frank Lloyd Wright homes throughout the city, like this “Airplane House.”
At 3618 E. Washington Ave., you’ll find the Elvis Presley Fight Site monument. Legend has it, Elvis was on his way to a local hotel when he had his limo driver pull over so he could stop a fight via his karate skills.
The 608 has 140 locations listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Cardinal Hotel and Brittingham Park’s boathouse.
In honor of Wisconsin’s agricultural heritage, the famous Memorial Union chairs are made in three specialty colors: John Deere green, as well as Allis Chalmers orange and yellow.
Nirvana recorded “Nevermind” in Madison at Smart Studios. The building still stands today at 1254 E. Washington Ave.
You’re never more than a 10-minute walk from one of the 270 parks and beaches within city limits.
Your turn. Think you can get one over on us? Let us know your favorite local trivia tidbit and you just might make it into the newsletter.
