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Interesting Facts
- Madisonians take great pride in their beautifully designed State Capitol, which essentially functions as the city's landmark. So as not to obstruct its prominence, building codes demand that new structures not overshadow it in position or height. As a result, the Capitol always appears prominently in the downtown area.
- National Public Radio fans visiting Madison often clamor to meet Michael Feldman, a popular NPR personality. Host of "Whad'Ya Know," an old-school radio show full of humor, audience interaction, and commentary that often takes the form of a quiz show, Feldman frequently broadcasts live from Monona Terrace. You can catch him live on certain Saturday mornings; call 608-262-2201 for ticket information.
- The Madison who lent his name to Wisconsin's capital was none other than James Madison, fourth president of the United States. In Wisconsin's infancy, federal district judge James Doty was angling for Madison to be the state's capital, even though there was no settlement at the time. Doty went so far as to design an intended city and propose it to officials, naming particular streets after statesmen who signed the Constitution. Ultimately, his strategy worked, and today, there's even a street that bears his own name.
- As with many large schools, athletics run strong at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and so does a robust allegiance to Badger teams. The Kohl Center, home to men's and women's basketball and men's hockey, is UW-M's newest athletic facility, providing plenty of room for fans to cheer their favorite sport and player. When University teams aren't competing, the facility hosts concerts, high-school championships, graduations, special events, and corporate meetings.
- World-renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright called Madison home during his teenage years and became enamored of architecture and the Wisconsin countryside on his uncle's farm in Spring Green, an hour west of Madison. While many people know of Taliesin, his estate there, few are aware that it was marred by tragedy when a servant killed Wright's female companion and six other residents before torching the complex. In an overwhelming display of personal courage, Wright was able to move past the horror and even rebuild his beloved Taliesin.
- While there's no question that Madison rests among lakes, there is disagreement about which lakes they actually are and what their names mean. Mendota, Monona, and Waubesa remain constant, although folks quibble about whether Lake Wingra (a smaller but closer entity) or Lake Kegonsa is one of the "Four Lakes." Monona variously translates as "beautiful," "spirit," or "morning lake." Mendota is said to be "great" or "evening lake." Waubesa refers to swans, Kegonsa is associated with fish, and Wingra is known as the "dead" lake due to its marshy perimeter. To further complicate the matter, these "Indian" names were adapted by Caucasian surveyors and are not even the original Winnebago monikers.
- Forward-thinking Madison boasts a large contingent of bikers among its ranks. In fact, rumor suggests that within the city are actually more bicycles than cars. With almost 100 miles of dedicated trails, including the Lake Monona Bike Trail Loop and the Arboretum Bike Trail at UW-M, there's no doubt you'll find scenic exercise possibilities.
- Along with its other claims to fame, Madison has also been the hometown of a cluster of famous people. Among the most notable are actors Tyne Daly and Chris Farley, Olympic gold medalist speed skater Eric Heiden, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and author Thornton Wilder, and Nobel Prize-winning scientist John Bardeen, who helped invent the transistor.
- Otis Redding, whose "Dock of the Bay" remains one of the most memorable songs from the '60s, has an unfortunate tie to Madison. In 1967, flying into the city from Cleveland, his twin-engine plane went down in Lake Monona, ending his promising life and career at the age of 26.
- Although some folks assume the "Badgers" nickname of Wisconsin and UW-M comes from the animal itself, the origin is a bit more indirect. Early settlers mining for lead during the 19th century were so intent on their work that they didn't take time to build actual homes. Rather, they co-opted old mine shafts and dug quick shelters in the earth for protection from the elements. As a result, they became known as "badgers," and the name stuck.
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