Video of Belmont Mound State Park and First Capitol Historic Site
The French called this 1,400 ft. hill “Belle Monte,” meaning “beautiful mountain.” Today, this day use park is run by the Belmont Lions Club. From the observation tower you can view parts of Iowa and Illinois. The Territorial Legislature held its first session at Belmont in 1836; then after two sessions in Burlington, IA the Legislature moved to Madison. On April 30, 1836 President Andrew Jackson commissioned Henry Dodge as Governor of the New Territory. Numerous on site exhibits relate the story of Wisconsin history and the role these modest buildings played in our past.
