Madison in Dane County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Nathan Dane
Photographed By William J. Toman, June 13, 2010
1. Nathan Dane Marker
Dane County was created by the Wisconsin Territorial Legislature in 1836. Judge James Doty had convinced the Legislature to select Madison as the Capital and name the surrounding county in honor of Nathan Dane, a compiler of the Ordinance of 1787, which established the Northwest Territory.
Doty told legislators, "Read the Ordinance of 1787 attentively -- it is the fundamental law of the country."
Dane was born in Massachusetts in 1752. He served in the Confederation Congress 1785-87. The Congress unanimously passed the Northwest Ordinance with a major amendment by Dane: "There shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in said territory," -- it also contained a bill of rights four years before the Constitution's Bill of Rights. Ordinance provision also laid the foundation for the government of 32 states beyond the Northwest Territory.
Dane served in both houses of his state's Legislature. He died in 1835. His epitaph read: "His fame belongs to his country. Let the gratitude of future ages cherish it."
Erected 2005 by Dane County Historical Society. (Marker
Photographed By William J. Toman, June 13, 2010
2. Dane County Courthouse
View from West Wilson Street showing placement of the marker on the courthouse (under the circular opening).
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin, Dane County Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1836.
Location. 43° 4.254′ N, 89° 23.045′ W. Marker is in Madison, Wisconsin, in Dane County. Marker is at the intersection of West Wilson Street and South Hamilton Street, on the right when traveling west on West Wilson Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 215 South Hamilton Street, Madison WI 53703, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Joseph Stoner House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Law Park (about 400 feet away); Baskerville Apartments (about 500 feet away); Mohr / Christoffer Block (about 700 feet away); Jackman Building (about 700 feet away); Smith and Lamb Block (about 700 feet away); Doty School (about 700 feet away); Way of the Cross at Cathedral Place (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Madison.
More about this marker. There is an identical marker located in the Village of Dane, Wisconsin.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, August 31, 2013
3. Nathan Dane Marker
Photographed By Wikipedia
4. Nathan Dane
Photographed By William J. Toman, June 13, 2010
5. Dane County Courthouse
View of the courthouse from South Hamilton Street.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, August 31, 2013
6. Dane County Courthouse
Credits. This page was last revised on December 28, 2019. It was originally submitted on June 13, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,069 times since then and 40 times this year. Last updated on November 6, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 13, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 3. submitted on September 6, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 4. submitted on June 23, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 5. submitted on June 13, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 6. submitted on September 6, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
