The Badger State

Wisconsin State Nickname

badger-wisconsin-zoo.jpg

Badger in Madison, Wisconsin

Badger at zoo in Madison, Wisconsin; photo by Sean Lamb on Flickr (noncommercial use permitted with attribution / share alike).

Unofficial Nickname for Wisconsin

The nickname for Wisconsin is "The Badger State." The badger is featured on Wisconsin's coat of arms, state seal, and state flag, and is also the official state animal. 

The nickname began in the 1800s; during their search for lead ore (galena), miners dug hillside tunnels and sometimes lived in them, which reminded people of the burrowing badger. All State Nicknames

Wisconsin

Images

Statue at the Wisconsin state capitol in Madison. The badger is the official state animal of Wisconsin (and also the mascot of the U of Wisconsin-Madison); "FORWARD" is Wisconsin's state motto; and the anchor and plow are symbols on Wisconsin's coat of arms. Photo by Shihmei Barger 舒詩玫 on Flickr (noncommercial use permitted with attribution / no derivative works).

"FORWARD" statue at the Wisconsin state capitol, Madison WI