Welcome to Madison, Wisconsin!
Madison, WI isn’t only known for its beauty and history, but it is also known as the political capitol of Wisconsin.
Most of the state’s government dealings being handled right inside of Madison but this didn’t happen overnight. Madison finally became a city in 1856. The city is named after James Madison, an American politician and philosopher who held the 4th seat as United States President. Because Madison, WI is the center of state politics, this means that there are more jobs to be found here than practically anywhere else in Wisconsin.
Madison WI History
Let’s step back a ways first. Wisconsin has a rich history. It was actually settled by native Americans for more than 12,000 years before there was an immigrant invasion. In 1837, the Yankees, English, Irish, and Scandanavians overflowed the city, quickly claiming it as their own.
By the time the year 1856 rolled around, the community had grown to more than 9,000 people, and was quickly adding more citizens every year. This led up to the present day Madison, WI that is flourishing like never before. With the busy business districts, and the quaint suburbs, more and more people are finding their way into the Madison city limits than ever.
Throughout the years, Madison has changed a great deal. Its history has been influenced by many events, such as the Civil War, the Anti-Vietnam War marches, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Founded in 1866, the University of Wisconsin-Madison is an educational institution that serves almost 4,000 international students. It is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin system. In addition to undergraduate and graduate divisions in the arts and sciences, the University of Wisconsin-Madison maintains professional schools in journalism, law, library and information studies, nursing, and human ecology. The UW campus includes four National Historic Landmarks.
In the late 1960s, UW-Madison students were highly active in the Presidential Election. They made thousands of phone calls and drove to small towns outside of Madison to register voters. Students also organized demonstrations to protest recruiters for the Dow Chemical Company. They made a film called The War at Home, which documented the protests.
The Sifting & Reckoning exhibit explores the earliest struggles for equality in housing, social organizations, and protest movements on campus. It was created by former ASEC chair and UW-Madison alumnus Asa Tilton.
YWCA
YWCA in Madison, WI, has a long history of working to help empower women and fight for justice and dignity. The YWCA has been at the forefront of a number of issues, including health care, affordable housing, and violence prevention. In addition to this, YWCA is an organization that focuses on promoting peace, freedom, and dignity in the world.
The YWCA has been active in many community initiatives, including providing meeting space for organizations that share a common mission. They also offer an emergency shelter for homeless individuals and housing for transient women. In addition, YWCA Madison has been a leader in pioneering race relations.
YWCA Madison is the first recipient of the YWCA USA Local Association Excellence Award in Racial Justice. This award is given to the YWCA in the local association that has demonstrated the most significant achievement in promoting racial justice.
Camp Randall
During the Civil War, Camp Randall in Madison, Wisconsin was a training base and a prisoner of war camp for the Union Army. More than 70,000 Wisconsin troops were trained at the camp at some point in the war. During the war, the camp also served as an army hospital.
Camp Randall was also the site of the Wisconsin State Fair, held in 1858. The Wisconsin State Agricultural Society donated land for use as a training base for Union troops. The Wisconsin legislature also purchased the land. The property was eventually turned over to the University of Wisconsin. After the war, the land was used as a fairground. In 1909, the University of Wisconsin built a pharmaceutical garden on the land, exhibiting the medicinal values of plants.
Anti-Vietnam War Marches
During the Vietnam War, an anti-war movement grew in the United States. Many university students began forming anti-war committees. Many universities, such as the University of Wisconsin-Madison, had chapters of Students for a Democratic Society. The group called for a march against the Vietnam War.
The first serious protest against U.S. involvement in Vietnam took place in New York City in the summer of 1963. It was sponsored by the Progressive Labor Movement. The PLP criticized the North Vietnamese leadership and advocated a total withdrawal of U.S. imperialism.
The group’s slogan was “Withdrawal Now.” The slogan was unacceptable to some of the movement’s constituents. However, most students involved felt that the post-Nuremberg ethic required them to oppose the war.
The student peace movement had been divided into two major factions by Sunday night. Students for a Democratic Society was not the movement’s leader. However, it hoped that a few thousand people would participate in a March on Washington.
Christian Churches in Madison
Throughout history, Christian churches have provided a home for people of all ages and walks of life. They have served the needs of the community and have grown to serve the needs of the world. Here in Madison, Wisconsin, you will find a number of churches that are a part of the Christian church history.
The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Madison was established in 1854. It had 75 members by 1916. The congregation merged with another Norwegian Lutheran congregation in 1862. In 1918, the church bought a stone house at 14 W. Johnson Street. This church is now known as Bethel Lutheran Church.
The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church began to grow rapidly after the influx of Norwegian immigrants in the early 1900s. A parsonage was built and the church grew. In 1957, there were 281 families in the church. In 1965, every available space was filled.
Madison Today
With the real estate market in the down turn that it is currently facing, more and more people are finding out that moving to the north is a great way to escape their expensive home mortgages, and property insurance rates. Finding cheaper homes in Madison is a great way to save money, but also raise your family in a quaint, quiet city that’s full of recreation. The school systems, as well as the shopping districts are well known for providing great education, entertainment, and family fun.
When school is in, you’ll find University of Wisconsin-Madison students downtown. The downtown area is busy and beautiful all year round. Going to a Badgers game is a must if you want the real experience.
Getting out for the weekend in Madison, WI is incredibly easy, with most attractions just a few short miles away – no matter what season it is and people in Wisconsin enjoy all four seasons.
Visit Madison, WI
If you have been on the fence about Madison, Wisconsin for any length of time, you really need to take the time to visit the city, and really get a feel for the atmosphere. Think of laid back southern charm, with the class and appeal of northern lifestyles, and you have found Madison.
The city is growing every year, with more and more people finding out the huge benefits to living in a growing community.
Are you one of the people that have finally figured it out, and are ready to visit the city of Madison, WI?