Wisconsin's First Capitol

Today I set out to explore some places in southwestern Wisconsin and eastern Iowa.  My first stop was at the first capitol of Wisconsin territory, near the modern village of Belmont.  The place was chosen in 1836, when Wisconsin Territory was established out of what had been Michigan Territory.  (Michigan became a state the next year.)  The site includes two restored buildings, which were a council house and a boarding house.  Next to the parking lot are these signs and a flagpole.

I think that this building was the boarding house.

To the east of the above building is what I think was the council house.  Note the lightning rods at the top of its front face.

This tablet was in front of the two buildings.

I took this shot from behind the two buildings, at an angle intended to get both of them into the picture.  The sign saying "NO" in big letters says "metal detecting" in small letters.  As with many situations, you'd better read the fine print.

For more on Wisconsin's first capitol, go to The Historical Marker Database, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Travel Wisconsin, the SAH Archipedia and WisPolitics.