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

State Office Building

Listed in the State Register of Historic Places

Photographed By William J. Toman, January 26, 2011

1. State Office Building Marker

Inscription. Designed by State Architect Arthur Peabody, the Wilson Street Office Building is an extraordinary representation of the Art Deco Style of architecture. Built in three separate stages, 1930, 1938 and 1959, the symmetrically massed structure has a granite facade with bas-relief Art Deco ornamentation. The first floor public hallways are adorned with bronze lamps, stylized floral ceiling borders and bronze letter boxes and directories. The lobby is decorated with Royal Red, Appalachian Fossil Gray, Appalachian Dark, Kesota Yellow, and Westfield marbles.

Erected 1995 by The State Historical Society of Wisconsin.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Art Deco series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1930.

Location. 43° 4.337′ N, 89° 22.89′ W. Marker is in Madison, Wisconsin, in Dane County. Marker is at the intersection of West Wilson Street and Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, on the left when traveling west on West Wilson Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: One West Wilson 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. The Fairchild Home (a few steps from this marker); Pioneer Men and Women

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(a few steps from this marker); Olin Terrace (a few steps from this marker); Madison Club (within shouting distance of this marker); John A. Urich (within shouting distance of this marker); David James Schaefer (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); U.S. Post Office and Courthouse (about 300 feet away); Madison Catholic Clubhouse (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Madison.

Additional keywords. Architecture

State Office Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William J. Toman, January 26, 2011

2. State Office Building

The marker is behind the stop sign on the lower left part of the building.

Bas-Relief Art Deco Ornamentation image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William J. Toman, January 26, 2011

3. Bas-Relief Art Deco Ornamentation

This ornamentation, including a stylized version of the state coat of arms in the center, is above the side doors. On the shield of the coat of arms are symbols for agriculture (a plow), mining (a pick and shovel), manufacturing (an arm and hammer), and navigation (an anchor). The horn of plenty on the left in the coat of arms symbolizes prosperity and abundance, while the pyramid of lead ingots on the right represents mineral wealth (the gear symbol on the pyramid is not an official part of the coat of arms).

Photographed By William J. Toman, January 26, 2011

4. Bas-Relief Art Deco Ornamentation

State Office Building Main Entrance - Outside image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William J. Toman, January 26, 2011

5. State Office Building Main Entrance - Outside

Note the bas-relief Art Deco ornamentation and the brass fixtures.

State Office Building Main Entrance - Inside image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William J. Toman, January 26, 2011

6. State Office Building Main Entrance - Inside

Brass Fixture at Stairway of Main Entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William J. Toman, January 26, 2011

7. Brass Fixture at Stairway of Main Entrance

State Office Building Main Floor Hallway image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William J. Toman, January 26, 2011

8. State Office Building Main Floor Hallway

Brass Letter Box image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William J. Toman, January 26, 2011

9. Brass Letter Box

Exterior Brass Lighting Fixture image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William J. Toman, January 26, 2011

10. Exterior Brass Lighting Fixture

Closeup of Marble Design on Main Floor image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William J. Toman, January 26, 2011

11. Closeup of Marble Design on Main Floor

State Office Building from Across Lake Monona image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William J. Toman, September 6, 2010

12. State Office Building from Across Lake Monona

The State Office Building is between the Capitol, on the left, and the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center on the right.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 27, 2011, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 912 times since then and 128 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. submitted on January 27, 2011, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 12. submitted on January 6, 2011, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin.