Wisconsin Territory

Originally part of the Michigan Territory, the Wisconsin Territory became a separate political entity on July 3, 1836. The territory originally included all of the modern states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa, along with parts of North and South Dakota. In 1838, all but the current state of Wisconsin and an eastern portion of Minnesota were removed to become Iowa Territory. The Wisconsin Territory maintained those boundaries until May 29, 1848, when Wisconsin achieved statehood. The territorial capital was briefly at Belmont but soon relocated to Madison.

Moses M. Strong, History of the Territory of Wisconsin, from 1836 to 1848 (Madison, WI: Democrat Printing, 1885), 165-595; "An Act Establishing the Territorial Government of Wisconsin," 20 April 1836, Statutes at Large of the United States 5 (1856):10-16; "An Act to Divide the Territory of Wisconsin and to Establish the Territorial Government of Iowa," 12 June 1838, Statutes at Large of the United States 5 (1856):235-41; "An Act to Enable the People of Wisconsin Territory to Form a Constitution and State Government, and for the Admission of Such State into the Union," 6 August 1846, Statutes at Large of the United States 9 (1862):56-58; "An Act for the Admission of the State of Wisconsin into the Union," 3 March 1847, Statutes at Large of the United States 9 (1862):178-79; "An Act for the Admission of the State of Wisconsin into the Union," 29 May 1848, Statutes at Large of the United States 9 (1862):233-35.