Madison in Dane County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

First Reliable Test of Milk Quality

College of Agricultural and Life Sciences

Photographed by William J. Toman, June 24, 2010

1. First Reliable Test of Milk Quality Marker

Inscription. A milestone in modern dairying was the development of a simple and accurate measure of the butterfat content of milk. University of Wisconsin biochemist Stephen M. Babcock in 1890 developed the test that made him internationally famous and revolutionized milk production and marketing. The test provided a rational basis of milk evaluation, and prompted better breeding, feeding, and milk production practices. Babcock instructed dairy farmers in the use of the test, which led to the start of the nation's first dairy manufacturing short course.

Erected 2001 by UW Foundation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Education • Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the University of Wisconsin series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.

Location. 43° 4.509′ N, 89° 24.794′ W. Marker is in Madison, Wisconsin, in Dane County. It is at the intersection of Linden Drive and Babcock Drive, on the right when traveling east on Linden Drive. The marker is in front of Babcock Hall on the University of Wisconsin campus. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1605 Linden Drive, Madison WI 53706, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Wisconsin. It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

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

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walking distance of this marker: Disease-Resistant Plants (a few steps from this marker); The Land Ethic (within shouting distance of this marker); Mass Production of Penicillin (within shouting distance of this marker); Genetically Superior Crops (within shouting distance of this marker); Vitamin D Production Ends Rickets (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Scientific Approach to Agriculture (about 500 feet away); Discovering Vitamins and Trace Minerals (about 600 feet away); Discovery of Vitamins A and B (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Madison.

Babcock Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William J. Toman, June 24, 2010

2. Babcock Hall

The marker is to the right of the steps. According to the UW web site, "Babcock Hall was considered one of the finest dairy buildings in the world when it was built in 1951. ... The building houses the Babcock Ice Cream Dairy Store." The entrance to the store is the next door to the right, and the ice cream is legendary on campus.

Agricultural Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William J. Toman, June 25, 2010

3. Agricultural Hall

According to the UW web site, "Built in 1902, Agricultural Hall was designed as the administrative and research home of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. The building remains almost entirely unmodified and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985."

<i>Main Building, College of Agriculture, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisc.</i> image. Click for full size.

circa 1915

4. Main Building, College of Agriculture, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisc.

Auditorium and Library, Hall of Agriculture image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William J. Toman, June 24, 2010

5. Auditorium and Library, Hall of Agriculture

The back entrance to Agricultural Hall.

Detail on Agricultural Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William J. Toman, June 24, 2010

6. Detail on Agricultural Hall

Symbol of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences

Credits. This page was last revised on December 28, 2019. It was originally submitted on June 28, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 919 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 28, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 3. submitted on July 1, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 4. submitted on November 15, 2014. 5, 6. submitted on July 1, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.