Wisconsin has no shortage of landmarks that reflect its significance in American history, diversity of settlers and importance in the fields of art, architecture, science and design. The state has been home to all manner of folk, from pirates to gangsters, pioneers, fur traders and famous architects. Belgian and German settlers were of great importance to the state's development, and some of these landmarks reflect their particular influence.
One of the oldest and most significant landmarks in Wisconsin is the remains of the ancient city of Aztalan in Jefferson County. Archaeologists discovered it in 1836, and historians pieced together its history as a ceremonial complex and walled city that thrived for 300 years. It received recognition as a national landmark in 1964. You can see the remains of stockade walls and flat-topped mounds, although much of the park is now open prairie.
Aztalan State Park
1213 S. Main St.
Lake Mills, WI 53551
920-648-8774
wiparks.net
The restored British arts-and-crafts style Victorian Villa Louis, located on Saint Feriole island overlooking the Mississippi River, helps tell the story of one of Wisconsin's founding trades, fur trading. A national landmark in its own right, Brisbois House is home to the Fur Trading Museum. Made from locally-quarried limestone, Brisbois House is a rare example of a fashionable federal-style home and remains one of the state's most famous landmarks.
Villa Louis Mansion
521 Villa Louis Road
Prairie du Chien, WI 53821-0065
608-326-2721
villalouis.wisconsinhistory.org
Wisconsin saw the largest settlement of Belgians in America in the 19th century, and they have left a lasting legacy in the architecture. Hundreds of homes still stand in the Namur Historic District, including Saint Mary of the Snows Catholic Church and the Harold Euclide General Store. Privately owned, they are only visible from the outside, but the Pabst Mansion in Milwaukee is open to the public. Home to the world-famous beer baron, sea captain and philanthropist Sir Frederick Pabst, it is a remarkable Flemish Renaissance revival mansion, with elegant original fixtures and furniture.
Pabst Mansion
2000 West Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53233
414-931-0808
pabstmansion.com
The Wisconsin State Capitol building in Madison is an example of Beaux-Arts architecture, noted for its decorative design, its importance as part of the Progressive Movement in the early 20th century and for a bronze sculpture by Daniel Chester French, who also sculpted the statue of Abraham Lincoln in Washington's Lincoln Memorial. The interior is full of marble and mosaics and, although still used to serve three branches of government, is open for public tours.
Wisconsin State Capitol
2 East Main Street
Madison, WI 53702
608-266-0382
wisconsin.gov
Wisconsin became home to the "Greatest Show on Earth" when the Ringling Brothers chose Baraboo for their winter headquarters. At its peak, their traveling circus featured leopards, kangaroos, zebras and hippopotamuses. Today, the landmark Circus World Museum has an extensive collection of circus wagons, handbills, costumes and posters. There is a live circus held at the museum each summer.
Circus World Museum
550 Water Street
Baraboo, WI 53913
608-356-8341
circusworld.wisconsinhistory.org
