Madison in Dane County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Brittingham Park
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Thomas Brittingham
Photographed by McGhiever, July 25, 2026
1. Brittingham Park Marker
Brittingham Park
This park named for Thomas E. Brittingham, who offered to donate an initial gift of $8,000 to the Madison Parks and Pleasure Drive Association (MPPDA) for park improvements if $10,000 could be raised from the public sector for the same purpose. The funds were raised and the property was purchased which provided land and shoreline from the railroad property to the Washington Avenue-Park Street intersection, some 31 acres.
Between 1905 and 1910, the parkland was improved by dredging up fill from the bottom of the lake to create new shorelines. Opening in 1910, there was an estimated 50,000 people visiting its freshly laid beach and new waterslide.
Thomas Brittingham
Born in 1860 in Hannibal, Missouri, Brittingham moved to McFarland, Wisconsin to open his first lumberyard at the age of 25. He became Madison's richest man through his entrepreneurial endeavors and generously donated his time and money to many area organizations. He is best known for his contributions of more than $24,000 for the park named in his honor as well as for the construction of a boathouse in the park.
Brittingham's
this page online
With 300 swimsuits available to rent, swimmers enjoy Brittingham's bathhouse on a hot summer day in the early 1900's.
Photo Credit: Wisconsin Historical Society and the UW Madison Library system
Historical sign funded by the Oscar Rennebohm Foundation and created by the Madison Parks Foundation to make our city's history more accessible to its community members.
Erected by the Madison Parks Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.
Location. 43° 3.823′ N, 89° 23.838′ W. Marker is in Madison, Wisconsin, in Dane County. It is on the Brittingham Park Path, on the
Photographed by McGhiever, July 25, 2026
2. Marker on the Brittingham Park Path northeast of the picnic shelter
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Wisconsin. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Greenbush (approx. 0.2 miles away); Longfellow School (approx. 0.3 miles away); Spirit of Greenbush (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named The Greenbush (approx. 0.3 miles away); American Tobacco Co. Warehouses (approx. 0.3 miles away); Milwaukee Road Depot (approx. 0.3 miles away); Bowen House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Italian Workmen's Club (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Madison.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 10, 2026, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 10, 2026, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
