The first Capital House at 1 East Main Street was erected in 1853 by an investment company that included many leading citizens who feared that complaints about the lack of first-class accomodations would harm Madison's reputation. At the time the five-story hotel was one of the fanciest in the state. Later known as the Vilas House, it was demolished during the late 1950s. SHSW WHi(X3)6260

Capital House | Hotels