In 1836, Madison was selected as the seat of the State Government. At this time but a solitary log cabin marked the site. For several years its growth was slow, but the completion of the railways from the southward gave it an impetus which set it fairly on the way to its present prosperity.

MILWAUKEE,

The metropolis of the State, is situated in the county of the same. name, on the western shore of Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the Milwaukee River, 75 miles east of Madison, and 90 miles north of Chicago. "The river approaches from the north in a direction nearly parallel with the lake shore, and is joined about half a mile from its mouth by the Menomonee River, which comes from the west. The largest boats of the lakes can ascend the river two miles from its mouth, as also the Menomonee for some distance above its confluence. with the Milwaukee. About $100,000 have been expended for the improvement of the harbor in addition to the appropriation by Congress for that purpose, so that now the city has one of the best harbors upon the whole chain of lakes."

The city lies on both sides of the river, and is built partly upon the river flats and partly upon the bluffs which overlook the lake. These latter are from 20 to 100 feet high, and are nearly perpendicular. The city is regularly laid out, with wide, straight, well-paved streets. It is one of the best built cities in the west, and is noted for its peculiar appearance. A large portion of its buildings are of brick made in the vicinity. These bricks are of a light straw color and are very hard and smooth. They give to the city a light and pleasing appearance which has earned it the name of the "Cream City" of the lakes. The "Milwaukee brick" is now very popular in all parts of the country, and large quantities of it are shipped annually, even as far east as New York and Boston. Many of the residences are elegant and tasteful, and the business portions contain some splendid warehouses. The principal public buildings are the Custom House and Court House. The former is a fine structure of Athens stone.

There are about 13 public schools, a female college, and several private schools in the city. Also about 43 or 44 churches, 5 daily and 7 weekly newspapers, and 3 hotels and a public library.

The Benevolent and Charitable institutions include 3 orphan asylums, 2 hospitals, and several associations for the relief of the poor and afflicted.

The city is lighted with gas, and is supplied with water. Street railways connect the distant points. There are also an efficient police force, a fire alarm telegraph, and a steam fire department. The city government consists of a Mayor and Council. In 1870, the population was 71,499. Nearly one-half of the inhabitants are Germans or of German parentage, and the city is in many respects as much German as American in its characteristics. The annual product of lager beer is nearly 3,000,000 gallons.

Six railways connect Milwaukee with all parts of the country, and steamers ply between it and the other lake ports. It is the shipping point and outlet of one of the richest grain producing countries in the world, and is the greatest primary wheat market in the world. In 1862, its receipts of wheat, and flour reduced to wheat, amounted to 18,000,000 bushels. In 1865, 13,250,000 bushels were exported. It is provided with ample storage accommodations for grain, and its elevators are among the curiosities of the place. That of the Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway will hold 1,500,000 bushels. There is direct communication with Detroit during the whole year, steamers plying regularly between Milwaukee and Grand Haven in connection with the Milwaukee and Detroit Railway. Great quantities of lumber are annually exported.

The Milwaukee River has been dammed, and affords fine waterpower, which is used by the rapidly growing manufactories of the city. Flour, iron, and iron ware, machinery, and beer, are the principal products. One of the largest rolling mills in the West is located here.

Milwaukee derives its name from an Indian word Me-ne-aw-kee, said to signify rich or beautiful land. In 1785, a trading post was established here by Alexander Laframboise, from Mackinaw, but the town was not settled until 1835. At first its growth was not only slow, but was hampered by the obstacles so common to western land speculations in those days. From about the year 1841, however, the improvement of Milwaukee has been rapid. In 1846, it was incorporated as a city. In 1840, the population was 1751; in 1850, 20,035; in 1860, 45,254; in 1870, 71,499.

RACINE,

The second city of the State, is situated in the county of the same name, on the western shore of Lake Michigan, at the mouth of Root River, 75 miles east-southeast of Madison, 25 miles south-by-east of Milwaukee, and 62 miles north of Chicago. The city is built on level ground, elevated about 40 feet above the surface of the lake, and is regularly laid out in rectangular blocks with wide streets. It is an attractive and well-built city, and contains several fine public buildings. Many of the private residences are handsome.

The public schools, 6 in number, are among the best in the State, and there are also several private schools. Racine College, conducted by the Protestant Episcopal Church, is a flourishing institution. The city contains about 16 churches, and 4 newspaper offices. It is lighted with gas and supplied with water. The city government consists of a Mayor and Council. In 1870, the population was 9880. was.9880. Racine possesses one of the best harbors on Lake Michigan, which is here 70 miles wide. Vessels drawing over 12 feet of water can enter. The lake trade is large and is increasing. Vast quantities of grain and lumber are shipped by way of the lake. There is railway communication with the principal towns of the State and with Chicago. The Racine and Mississippi Railway connects the city with the Mississippi River at Savanna, Illinois.

The city is to a limited extent engaged in manufactures, and this branch of its industry is growing with rapidity. Steam engines, boilers, agricultural implements, flour, and leather, are produced in

considerable quantities. In spite of its formidable rivals, Chicago and Milwaukee, Racine is increasing in size and wealth at a most encouraging rate. It was first settled in 1835, and, in 1848, was incorporated as a city.

FOND DU LAC,

In Fond du Lac county, is the third city of the State. It is situated at the southern end of Winnebago Lake, the largest of the inland lakes of the State. It is 90 miles northeast of Madison, and 72 miles north-northwest of Milwaukee.

The city is pleasantly situated on ground which gradually rises as it recedes from the lake, and the streets and yards of the dwellings are so well supplied with shade trees and shrubbery that the place seems to lie in a bower of green foliage. It is regularly laid out, and is well built. "The site," says a visitor, "is part prairie and part woodland, a river dividing it. Twelve years ago it had but one chimney, and the pockets of most of its earlier settlers were as deficient in means as the houses of this most necessary appurtenance; now it has a population of thousands, churches of various kinds, some fine stores, and one especially fine block, containing a hall which is said to be the handsomest in the West, and capable of accommodating 3000 people. The hall has a centre dome of stained glass, and the effect is very pleasing. From the top of the building an incomparable view is to be had of the city, lake, prairie, river, and woods. The foreign element here is German, and an intelligent class of people, obedient to law, and comprehending the opportunities a free country offers to them and their children. The people look healthy and happy, and there is an appearance of comfort and thrift about them and their dwellings. There are no showy houses, but neat, well-arranged buildings, with yards, in which stand the forest trees found there, and enlivened by flowers and shrubs. The settlers have shown a taste and respect for the forest trees, leaving them unmolested, and clumps of oaks and hickories in the cultivated fields are pleasant to look upon, and their shade must delight the cattle in summer. The beauty of this country is indescribable, the whole having the appearance of a well-cared-for park."

The city contains about 12 churches, 3 public schools, and 1 daily and 3 weekly newspaper offices. It is lighted with gas, and is supplied with an abundance of pure water by means of artesian wells, which are so numerous here that almost every dwelling has one.

These wells vary in depth, from 90 to 130 feet. It is governed by a Mayor and Council. The population in 1870 was 12,764.

Lake Winnebago, on which the city is situated, is a beautiful sheet of water, 30 miles long and 10 miles wide, and is the channel of an extensive trade, being one of the chain of navigable waters which connect Lake Michigan with the Mississippi by means of the Wisconsin River. It empties it waters into Green Bay, through the Fox River, which has been rendered navigable for steamers. A canal has been cut from the Fox River to the Wisconsin, and steamers pass from Green Bay into the latter river. A very large trade in lumber and grain is thus brought to Fond du Lac. There are about 6 grain elevators in the city, and about 16 or 17 saw-mills. Railways connect the city with the principal points in the West.

There are a number of factories of agricultural implements, soap, and flour here, besides a large shop for the construction of railway cars. Fond du Lac was originally a French trading-post, but the settlement of the city was not begun until about 1835. Since then it has grown with great rapidity.

OSHKOSH,

In Winnebago county, is the fourth city of the State. It is pleasantly situated on both sides of the Fox River, at its entrance into Lake Winnebago. It is built on ground gradually sloping towards the lake and river, thus securing excellent drainage for the whole city. Immediately above the town the Fox River broadens out into the Lake Butte des Mortes.

Oshkosh is regularly laid out, and is built principally of wood. The County Court House and Jail, a handsome edifice, is the principal building. There are about 12 churches, several public and private schools, and 3 newspapers in the city. It is lighted with gas, and is governed by a Mayor and Council. In 1870, the population was 12,663.

The city is largely engaged in the manufacture of lumber, there being about 17 saw-mills, cutting about 50,000,000 feet of lumber annually, besides laths and pickets. There are also 6 shingle mills, which cut 6,500,000 shingles per annum, and several planing mills, and sash and door, and fence factories. The city also contains several founderies, machine shops, agricultural machine shops, flouring mills, tanneries, and breweries. A considerable quantity of grain is sent here for shipment. A ship-yard is located here for the construction