| Existing comment:
The second capitol in Madison was started in 1857 and finished in 1869. On the night of February 27, 1904, a gas jet on the second floor ignited fresh varnish and started a fire. The building had been updated with modern firefighting equipment, but the water supply to the capitol sprinklers was empty. It had been drained the night before. The fire raged for over 18 hours. The building was very badly damaged. The Legislature decided to make only temporary repairs. Planning for a new capitol building began immediately. |