02.20.2024

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🏛️ Madison’s most iconic landmarks

Madison’s most iconic landmarks

The granite domed Wisconsin State Capitol building against a blue sky.jpg

A few scenes in “Public Enemies” were filmed on the steps of the Wisconsin State Capitol.

We’ve all been there: Someone’s trying to give you directions by describing 10 lefts, 20 rights, and a jumble of cardinal directions. Isn’t it easier to just point out a landmark?

That’s exacting what we’re doing. We have 20 of the most recognizable Madison landmarks, from the Wisconsin State Capitol to the old Lake View Sanitarium. Not only are these icons easy to remember, but they’ll get you where you need to go in a jiffy.

Red and white Veterans Memorial Coliseum at Alliant Energy Center against a blue sky.jpeg — Alliant Energy Center’s Veterans Memorial Coliseum has had some of the nation’s top acts perform there. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Alliant Energy Center
Address: 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way
Nearby: Wisconsin Department of Revenue, Quann Park

The coliseum has seen the likes of Frank Sinatra, Pink Floyd, Elvis Presley, Duke Ellington, Jimi Hendrix, and more.

Camp Randall Stadium
Address: 1440 Monroe Ave.
Nearby: Henry Vilas Zoo, UnityPoint Health - Meriter Hospital

The site of the oldest stadium in the Big Ten Conference was once a camp for Union soldiers during the Civil War. It has been home of the Wisconsin Badgers football team, in one form or another, since 1895.

The old Lake View Sanatorium made of brick with a multitude of windows facing out.jpg — The tuberculosis sanatorium was in operation from 1930 to 1966. | Photo by 608today

Lake View Sanitorium
Address: 1204 Northport Dr.
Nearby: Warner Park, Cherokee Park

Now on the National Register of Historic Places, Lake View is a former county tuberculosis sanatorium. The last sanatorium built in Wisconsin, it was in operation from 1930 to 1966 and has sweeping views of Lake Mendota.

Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center
Address: 1 John Nolen Dr.
Nearby: Wisconsin State Capitol, Brittingham Beach

Frank Lloyd Wright first proposed this building for the city in 1938, but the county board rejected the plan by one vote. It wasn’t until 1997 that its doors finally opened. Today, hundreds of events happen annually within.

Wisconsin State Capitol
Address: 2 E. Main St.
Nearby: Monona Terrace, Wisconsin Veterans Museum

No building in downtown Madison stands taller. In fact, a city ordinance prohibits any building within a mile of it to be taller. Atop the granite dome stands the gilded bronze statue “Wisconsin” which symbolizes Wisconsin’s state motto, “Forward.”

This way for 15 more landmarks

Asked

What Madison landmark did we miss?

Think: Buildings, monuments, public art

Make your mark

Events

Tuesday, Feb. 20

Cupid Tuesdays Soul Revue | Tuesday, Feb. 20 | 6 p.m. | High Noon Saloon, 701 E. Washington Ave., Madison | Free | Shake a tail feather at a free soul dance party with a live band.
Chelsea Chen | Tuesday, Feb. 20 | 7:30 p.m. | Overture Center, 201 State St., Madison | $25-$35 | The internationally renowned composer and organist pulls out all the stops for this invigorating concert.

Wednesday, Feb. 21

The Madison + Milwaukee Downtown Exchange | Wednesday, Feb. 21 | 8-9 a.m. | Virtual | Free | Come listen in on how Milwaukee and Madison can work together for greater collaboration and growth.
Winter Concert | Wednesday, Feb. 21 | 7:30-9 p.m. | Middleton Performing Arts Center, 2100 Bristol St., Middleton | Free | Delight in listening to the area’s best young classical music players.

Thursday, Feb. 22

Best of Madison Business Awards | Thursday, Feb. 22 | 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Madison Concourse Hotel, 1 W. Dayton St., Madison | $45 | Celebrate our community’s finest business leaders, including those at UW Health and Madison Black Chamber of Commerce.
Wisdom Prairie Winter Tour | Thursday, Feb. 22 | 1-3 p.m. | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 Co. Hwy. M, Middleton | Free | Experience the beauty of the season at a monastery by touring the grounds with a guide.

Friday, Feb. 23

BingBong | Friday, Feb. 23 | 8-11 p.m. | Red Rooster Madison, 2513 Seiferth Rd., Madison | $10 | Ding dong. BingBong is at the door, playing hard-hitting garage rock.
Wisconsin Fishing Expo | Friday, Feb. 23 - Sunday, Feb. 25 | Times vary | Alliant Energy Center, 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way, Madison | $12-$20 | The weekend will be packed to the gills with seminars, activities for kids, and a flotilla of vendors.

Saturday, Feb. 24

Chili Cook-off | Saturday, Feb. 24 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | The East Side Club, 3735 Monona Dr., Madison | $5 | Have you bean to a chili cook off? This annual event will have food, drinks, raffles, and 80s music by the eMpTy Vees.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Shop

Skincare essentials that turn up the heat

Say bye-bye to dry skin with our list of skincare products. | Photo provided by Six & Main

Is dry skin making you feel frustrated during these winter months? Don’t worry, our online shop (Six & Main) features hydrating skincare products essential for weathering cold temperatures.

Step into a world of self-care as you explore a curated selection of winter skincare essentials, leaving your skin refreshed and revitalized.

Clean your face with the Purifying Face Wash by Roosevelt Supply Co. With added organic fruit extracts and activated charcoal, you’re sure to clean off the toughest dirt and grime without being harsh on your skin.

Exfoliate your skin using the Las Flores | Mini Hydrate + Brighten Duo, which is a powerful formula by Esteli that gently exfoliates and nourishes, leaving your skin looking and feeling refreshed.

Visibly improve texture, tone, and the look of fine lines and wrinkles with the Repair Hemp & Retinol Face Cream by She Biology, a hemp-strain skincare collection.

Shop all skincare

News Notes

Announced

Governor Evers signed new legislative district maps yesterday, months after the state Supreme Court ruled the state’s maps unconstitutional. The court was to choose new maps unless the legislature and governor could come to an agreement. The legislature passed the Evers-drawn maps Feb. 13. (AP)

Cause

The Tribal Elder Community Food Box Program — which allocates grants for food security in Tribal nations — will now receive $1.5 million each year from the state. Grants will be awarded for programs that work toward solving food issues, while giving the nations control of how the food will be allocated. (WMTV)

Travel

The Wisconsin DOT is hosting a public meeting about upcoming improvements on Interstate 39 from Lien Road to US 51. The meeting is on Thursday, Feb. 29 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Southwest Region Office (2101 Wright St.). Construction is scheduled for 2026. (In Business)

Edu

Joe Gothard, a finalist to be the next Madison Metropolitan School District superintendent, has been named the 2024 National Superintendent of the Year. He was judged on communication, professionalism, and creativity in meeting the needs of students and community involvement. (Madison365)

Civic

Wisconsin’s 2024 election cycle kicks off today with the nonpartisan spring primary election. For the Dane County Board of Supervisors position, there are three candidates in Districts 13 and 36 who will appear on the Feb. 20 ballot. The top two candidates will advance to the April election. (Daily Cardinal)

Award

Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes is being inducted into the Evidence-Based Policing Hall of Fame. Barnes, who joined the Madison Police Department in 2021, was chosen for implementing high-quality research programs in the department and for his advocacy on police reform measures backed by scientific study. (WKOW)

Kids

How do you spell dynasty? Vincent Bautista won the All-City Spelling Bee and will now compete in the state tournament on Saturday, March 15. Bautista’s siblings won four consecutive bees from 2014 to 2018. The top two spellers at the state tournament go to Washington, DC for the national competition. (Wisconsin State Journal)

Cause

Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County is inviting the public to its “Hearts for Helping” Prince-themed gala this weekend to support their programs and operations. Taking place on Friday, Feb. 23 at the Madison Concourse Hotel, the fundraiser will have a Prince cover band and more. Tickets are $150.

Arts

Talk about old-fashioned. A new exhibit at UW-Madison is showcasing Renaissance-era textiles, coupled with modern pieces. “Remaking the Renaissance,” now on display in the Lynn Mecklenberg Textile Gallery, displays more than 60 objects that are over 500 years old. The exhibit will run through May 19.

Travel

A friendly reminder to book spring + summer vacations (they’re just around the corner). Want beach time? This Hawaiian oceanfront property has two king beds. Prefer the mountains? Book this lakeside chalet in British Columbia. Craving luxury? This tropical cabana in Montecito, CA has an on-site masseuse.*

Health

❤️ A call for blood

Madisonians need our blood

A man in a red sweater is in a hospital donating blood as a white coated nurse supervises nearby.jpeg

Donate blood in February and get a $20 Amazon gift card. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons

The American Red Cross recently announced that it is experiencing the lowest number of people giving blood in the last 20 years.

The organization’s website gives donors all the information one needs about giving blood. Donate in February to receive a $20 Amazon gift card.

Madison has two American Red Cross donation centers:

Madison East Blood Donation Center, 2109 Zeier Rd.
(Open Sunday through Friday)
Madison West Blood Donation Center, 4860 Sheboygan Ave.
(Open daily)

Or, make an appointment for one of these upcoming events:

Tuesday, Feb. 20

GEF III, 125 S. Webster St.
Park West, 406 Science Dr.
Vogel Bros. Building Co., 5460 Fen Oak Dr.

Wednesday, Feb. 21

Arboretum Cohousing, 1137 Erin St.

Thursday, Feb. 22

Agriculture Engineering Building, 460 Henry Mall
Covenant Presbyterian Church, 326 S. Segoe Rd.
Round Table, 1611 N. Bristol St., Sun Prairie
Union South, 1308 W. Dayton St.

The Buy

The Buy 2.20.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

Top-rated microfiber pillowcases, because you deserve new, soft pillowcases to sleep on at night. We like how these are wrinkle free (no ironing needed) and are super soft to the touch.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Jonathan

From the editor

Picking all the landmarks in Madison is nearly an impossible task, since most all of Madison could be considered one. Just on the UW-Madison campus alone there’s the Red Gym, Washburn Observatory, Science Hall, and more.

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