Madison in Dane County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
On the Air
Bascom Hill Historic District
Photographed By William J. Toman, June 17, 2010
1. On the Air Marker
Inscription.
On the Air. Bascom Hill Historic District. In 1919, a group of students and professors gathered in the basement of Sterling Hall to transmit some of the earliest educational programming over the airwaves. Their regular broadcasts became the foundation of WHA, one of the oldest radio stations in continuous operation in the United States. A pioneer in using this new medium to teach its listeners, the station aired lectures, lessons and the world's first on-air sing-along, led in 1922 by Edgar "Pop" Gordon. For decades, it brought the university into the households of thousands around the state and nation.
In 1919, a group of students and professors gathered in the basement of Sterling Hall to transmit some of the earliest educational programming over the airwaves. Their regular broadcasts became the foundation of WHA, one of the oldest radio stations in continuous operation in the United States. A pioneer in using this new medium to teach its listeners, the station aired lectures, lessons and the world's first on-air sing-along, led in 1922 by Edgar "Pop" Gordon. For decades, it brought the university into the households of thousands around the state and nation.
Location. 43° 4.526′ N, 89° 24.089′ W. Marker is in Madison, Wisconsin, in Dane County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of North Park Street and State Street Mall, on the left when traveling north. The marker is near Science Hall at the bottom of Bascom Hill on the University of Wisconsin campus. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 550 North Park Street, Madison WI 53706, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. The nearby 9XM-WHA marker.
Photographed By William J. Toman
2. Sterling Hall
Photographed By William J. Toman, June 17, 2010
3. Bascom Hill
The heart of the University of Wisconsin, with Bascom Hall at the top.
Photographed By William J. Toman, June 17, 2010
4. View from Bascom Hall
The State Capitol as seen from the top of Bascom Hill. State Street links state government and the state university.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 26, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 18, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 914 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 18, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
