Bascom Hill Society Flipbook | Wisconsin Alumni Association

In 1900, a decision was made to build a large vat, an above-ground cistern, below the dome of Main Hall rather than build a costly water tower. University officials had to ensure that enough water would be available on campus to fight a major fire. Made out of sheet iron, it was about 20 feet in diameter and 15 feet high, with a capacity of 40,000 gallons. On October 10, 1916, one of the most spectacular fires in Madison history started in the dome, with flames and smoke visible for miles. The dome was lost but there was little damage to the rest of the building. The wood structure of the dome burned fast but as the timbers and beams broke off, many of them fell into the large tank of water. Eventually the tank broke open and water spilled throughout the building preventing the fire from spreading.

This was the second dome on Bascom Hall. It was not replaced.

The cistern remains in Bascom Hall's attic along with the timbers that were charred but not ruined by the blaze. Through a locked door, up a ladder, you can look inside the tank.