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Summary
First Capitol
CTH G, Town of Belmont, Lafayette County
Date of construction: 1836
The Wisconsin Territory was created by an act of Congress in April 1836; it took effect on July 3rd of the same year. The vast boundaries of this new territory included the future states of Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and parts of North and South Dakota.
The elected territorial legislature met near present day Belmont, a site selected by Governor Dodge because of its geographical location and because of the population density of southwestern Wisconsin during the period. During the summer several buildings were constructed to provide a meeting place for the first territorial legislature. One of these buildings was the First Capitol. It is a simple, two-story, wood building constructed of timber purchased in Pittsburgh, pre-cut, then transported by both boat and wagon to its current location.
The Territorial legislature met here for only one session, from 25 October to 9 December 1836. During their stay here, the early lawmakers enacted 42 laws and established a judicial system. After a long debate, the legislature decided that Madison would be the permanent seat of government for Wisconsin and that Burlington, Iowa would be the site of the legislative sessions until 1839.
Abandoned by the legislature, the building became a barn, moved to a neighboring farm. In 1919, the building was acquired by the state and moved back to its original location. The First Capitol is now a State Historic Site and can be visited during the summer season. More information can be found on the Wisconsin Historical Society's website.
Property Details
Resources Within The Property
Designations
State & National Registers of Historic Places
The State Register and National Register recognize buildings, sites, districts, structures, and objects that are significant in national, state, or local history. The State Historic Preservation Office in conjunction with the National Park Service maintains the list for Wisconsin and makes the data available to the public for research and education.
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For a credit line: Wisconsin Historical Society, Creator, Title, Unique Identifier.
The Unique Identifier can be found at the top or bottom of the page for each item. The name of a downloaded file is NOT the unique identifier.
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First Wisconsin Territorial Legislature Council House (First Capitol)
1870
Council House of the first Wisconsin Territorial Legislature when it met at Belmont in 1836. A young boy or man wearing a hat stands in front near a fence.
Take a Country Journey to Wisconsin's First Capitol, Opening for the Season on May 25
Monday, May 13, 2024
First Capitol, a Wisconsin Historical Society site, will open to the public on weekends beginning Saturday, May 25. Explore the modest white wooden buildings where in 1836 Wisconsin’s first laws we...
First Wisconsin Territorial Capitol
1924
Exterior of the first Wisconsin Territorial Capitol, which was rented by the Legislature who met there for 46 days in 1836. The building was restored in 1924.
Wisconsin’s First Capitol Marks America’s 250th Anniversary with Special Events and Major Investment
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
As the nation prepares to commemorate America 250, Wisconsin’s First Capitol in Belmont invites visitors to experience the birthplace of Wisconsin’s government starting May 23, when the site opens...
