Third Wisconsin Capitol Building (Madison's Second)

Before North and South Wings Were Added

Built 1857–65, Dome Erected 1869 – Mostly Destroyed by fire 1904

• 1857 "Enlargement" of the Capitol is authorized. Kutzbock & Donnel are hired as architects. The Legislature decides on phased replacement of old Capitol by building the new building around the old.
• 1859 The first phase, the East Wing, is completed. Slowed by events of the Civil War, the West Wing is not completed until 1862.
• 1863 Second Capitol is demolished, work begins on the North and South wings, and construction of the central Rotunda begins on the foundations of the old Capitol.
• 1866 Samuel V. Shipman is hired to replace Kutzbock-Donnel's design for the dome with a design similar to the Capitol in Washington, D.C.
• 1869 Third Capitol dome completed
• 1881 Old Abe, the eagle of the 8th Wisconsin Infantry who resided in the Capitol basement, dies and is stuffed for exhibition
• 1883 Additions are constructed to the North and South wings. Collapse of the South Wing during construction kills five workmen.
• 1900 State Historical Society moves from the South Wing to a building on State Street, citing the need for space and fireproof quarters.
• 1903 Capitol Improvement Commission appointed to study expansion of the third Capitol. Legislature allows private insurance on the Capitol to lapse.
• 1904 – February 26-27, Gas jet ignites a newly-varnished Capitol ceiling. An empty University reservoir permits the fire to spread, destroying all of the building except the North Wing. Loss is estimated at between $800,000 and one million dollars. The remains of Old Abe were destroyed.