Madison has changed a lot since the first issue of Isthmus hit the streets on April 9, 1976. From the city’s exploding growth to turmoil in the streets to game-changing new developments, Madison’s beloved alt-weekly has covered it all.
To celebrate its 50-year milestone, the newspaper is throwing a “Isthmus 50 Fest” show this Saturday at Atwood Music Hall featuring Madison favorites like Ben Sidran, Mama Digdown’s Brass Band, and more.
On the City Cast Madison podcast today, host Bianca Martin talks to Isthmus publisher Jason Joyce and editor/president Judith Davidoff about a half-century of Isthmus in Madison and how the newspaper is celebrating.
For their April anniversary issue, Isthmus editors dug deep into the newspaper archives to find “50 Moments in 50 Years,” headlines that captured key moments in Madison’s history. Here are a few of our favorites that they found.
‘Shake and Bake,’ July 2, 1976
Isthmus’ countercultural bent was evident in this snarky dispatch about the day that State Street was transformed into a pedestrian mall. The debate over what to do about State Street still rages today.
‘A New King,’ May 8, 1981
On the far side of the Capitol Square, another transformation was taking place. The notorious Main King Tap, a hallmark of King Street’s reputation as “Madison’s Red Light District,” closes, paving the way for the classier First Settlement District to come decades later.
‘Race Matters,’ Aug. 20, 1993
The long-standing issue of two Madisons – one for white people and one for Black people – was highlighted in this poll, which found that more than half of Black Madisonians strongly disagreed with the idea that they have the same opportunities as their white neighbors. Less than one-fifth of white neighbors strongly disagreed with that statement.
‘The Pied Piper,’ Oct. 25, 1996
L’Etoile is also celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and is a nationally-known pioneer in the farm-to-table movement. This profile of founder Odessa Piper captures the moment that she was emerging as a culinary force to be reckoned with.
‘Wright and Wrong,’ July 11, 1997
After decades of public contention, Monona Terrace Convention Center opens on the shore of Lake Monona. This cover story says designer Frank Lloyd Wright would have “loved and hated” the result.
‘Epic Decision,’ May 17, 2002
Epic Systems’ decision to move out of Madison and build a sprawling new campus in Verona has “profound and troubling implications” for the region, Marc Eisen writes in this story, including its environmental and economic impact.
‘On With the Show,’ Sept. 24, 2004
Isthmus went big when Overture Center opened its doors downtown, and publisher Vince O’Hern presciently declares “the state of the arts in the city will never be the same.”
‘The Sky’s The Limit,’ Feb. 20, 2009
Construction cranes are a familiar site now on the isthmus, but this story looks at how the downtown skyline is beginning to change with ever-taller developments to accommodate population growth.
‘Wisconsin’s Capitol Protests: A 13-Day Timeline,’ Feb. 24, 2011
When public employees took to the streets to protest Gov. Scott Walker’s attempt to repeal Act 10, Isthmus reporters chronicled the twists and turns of the labor fight that drew national attention to Madison.
‘#TonyRobinson,’ March 12, 2015
When an unarmed 19-year-old Tony Robinson was killed in the stairwell of a Williamson Street apartment by a Madison police officer, peaceful but passionate protests erupted about police violence and the city’s racial disparities.
