Bascom Hill Historic District
Also known as College Hill
Many listed buildings are private homes. Please enjoy them from the street.
About the district
Bascom Hill Historic District, at Bounded by Observatory Dr., University Ave., and N. Park, Langdon, and State Sts., was added to the National Register of Historic Places on Sep 12, 1974. The Register lists it for its education, politics and architecture, at the state level. It describes its style as Romanesque, as it does for 63 other Wisconsin listings. The district takes in 15 historic buildings. The listing covers 46 acres. Eight more Register listings are within a quarter mile.
What it isMain quadrangle of the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus. From Wikidata (CC0). Read about it on Wikipedia ↗
PDFRead the original nominationThe form that put it on the Register, with its history, photos and a map · 56 MB · National Archives↗Make it a walk: 5 landmarks in about 10 minutes
Bounded by Observatory Dr., University Ave., and N. Park, Langdon, and State Sts., Madison · about 0.3 miles on foot, as the crow flies
- 1Bascom Hill Historic DistrictStart here
- 2
University of Wisconsin Science HallRomanesque Revival · Built 1887 · next door - 3
State Historical Society of WisconsinRenaissance · Built 1846 · next door - 4
University Presbyterian Church and Student CenterLate Gothic Revival · Built 1935 · next door - 5
University of Wisconsin Memorial UnionBuilding · next door
19 more Register listings within half a mile
★ National Historic Landmark · D district · B building · S site. Each opens its own page.
Romanesque style, nearby
Other National Register listings within 25 miles described as Romanesque.
Memories of Bascom Hill Historic District
The record says what it is. Neighbors know what it means.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Questions about Bascom Hill Historic District
Is Bascom Hill Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places?
Yes. It was added on Sep 12, 1974 (Register number 74000065).
Is Bascom Hill Historic District a National Historic Landmark?
No. It is on the National Register; Wisconsin has 43 National Historic Landmarks. The nearest is University of Wisconsin Science Hall, 0 miles away.
Can you visit Bascom Hill Historic District?
Our record doesn’t say whether it is open to visitors. Many listed buildings are private, so it may only be seen from the street.
Where can I read the history of Bascom Hill Historic District?
In its National Register nomination, the form that put it on the Register: a 56 MB PDF at the National Archives, linked on this page.
Sources: National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places (05/22/2026) · National Archives catalog record 106780307 · Wikidata. Map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors.