Basset

Madison City, Dane County, WI

The Bassett Neighborhood [‡], geographically located in the southwest quadrant on the Capitol Square, is defined by a variety of residential, commercial, institutional, industrial, recreational and transportation land uses.

The Bassett Neighborhood is one of the oldest Isthmus residential neighborhoods, dating back in the mid 1850's. The neighborhood was first settled by a mix of Yankee and German settlers. A group of Irish immigrants soon arrived, many to help build the Milwaukee Road railroad tracks and depot in what is now the City Station area. After railroad service arrived in 1854, many Irish families remained in the area to work for the railroad and more immigrants arrived. Railroad activity also spurred the development of commercial warehouses in the City Station area. In the late 19th and early 20th century, many of the two and three unit residences in the area were built to house workers in Madison's other burgeoning industries, government and the university.

Neighborhood Relationship to Downtown

• The Bassett Neighborhood is one of the older residential and commercial districts in Madison and an important part of the historic identity of downtown Madison.
• The Bassett Neighborhood serves as a major entrance to the State Capitol, State Street, Monona Terrace and the Kohl Center.
• The Bassett Neighborhood is located within walking distance of Lake Monona and Lake Mendota.
• The neighborhood's topography will permit lake views for existing and new developments.
• The Bassett Neighborhood is located in close proximity to major downtown employment centers including the State Capitol area and the University of Wisconsin. Improved pedestrian and bicycle access to these employment centers promotes living and working in the downtown.
• The Bassett Neighborhood is located within walking distance of downtown cultural and special events facilities that include the State Capitol, Monona Terrace, University of Wisconsin, Kohl Center, Civic Center, Madison Public Library and several State and local museums. The Dane County Exposition Center and the U.W. Camp Randall Stadium are located within 1-1/2 miles of the Bassett Neighborhood.
• The Bassett Neighborhood is close to neighborhood and specialty retail including State Street, Capitol Centre, Mifflin Street Co-op, City Station and the King Street retail district.
• The Bassett Neighborhood is close to several residential districts in downtovm Madison.
• The Bassett Neighborhood is located close to the Capitol City State Bicycle Trail along Lake Monona which connects to the Glacial Drumlin and Military Ridge State bicycle trails. A local bicycle trail through Brittingham Park connects the Basseu Neighborhood to Vilas Zoo and the U. W. Arboretum.

‡ City Vision Associates, Schreiber/Andeson Associates, Vandewall Associates and Bert Stitt Associates, for the Bassett Task Force and City of Madison, Recommendations and Implementation Priorities for Downtown, Madison Wisconsin, 1997, www.cityofmadison.com, accessed December, 2015.

Nearby Neighborhoods

Street Names
Bassett Street North • Bassett Street South • Bedford Street North • Bedford Street South • Brittingham Place South • Broom Street North • Broom Street South • Carroll Street North • Carroll Street South • Clark Court • Doty Street East • Doty Street West • Fairchild Street North • Fairchild Street South • Feeney Court • Findorff Court • Hamilton Street South • Henry Street North • Henry Street South • John Nolen Drive • Lorillard Court • Main Street East • Main Street West • Mifflin Street East • Mifflin Street West • Pinckney Street North • Pinckney Street South • Proudfit Street • Rodney Court • Shore Drive North • Washington Avenue West • Washington Place • Wilson Street East • Wilson Street West