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Wisconsin State Capitol (Third) Construction Disaster
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The third Wisconsin State Capitol after the unfinished South Wing collapsed on November 8, 1883. Defective workmanship and shoddy construction materials caused the nearly finished wing to collapse, killing six laborers and injuring twenty others. The accident created a scandal and provoked a public investigation. Frank Lloyd Wright was one of those who witnessed the collapse and he recalled it later in his autobiography, speaking of himself in the third person.
1883
Jones, N. P.
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W013J4D
WHi 10480
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Wisconsin State Capitol Ruins after Collapse
November 1883
The ruins of the unfinished South Wing of the third Wisconsin State Capitol after its collapse while still under construction.
Wisconsin State Capitol Ruins after Collapse
November 1883
View of the third Wisconsin State Capitol showing the ruins of the South Wing addition after it collapsed during construction.
Wisconsin State Capitol (Third) Demolition and Present Capitol Construction
1907
The construction of the East Wing of the new Capitol is underway. This is a view of the North and South Wings and the dome of the Third Wisconsin State Capitol. On the far left is the best known vi...
Wisconsin State Capitol (Third) Demolition
1913
Workmen stand atop and in front of the remnants of the last remaining wing, the North Wing, of the third Wisconsin State Capitol building.
Wisconsin State Capitol (Third) and Construction of Present Capitol
1911
Elevated view of the Fourth Capitol and dome under construction, while the north wing of the third Wisconsin State Capitol remains standing on the right. This view shows the East Pediment, called "...
Fire Damage to the Third Wisconsin State Capitol
February 1904
The office of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction in the East Wing of the third Wisconsin State Capitol after the fire of February 27.
