Courthouse Complex
The first Waukesha County Courthouse was completed on this site in 1849 after Waukesha separated from Milwaukee County in 1846. A jail was built in 1847. With growth of the community, the courthouse ran out of room and an office building was constructed in 1860.
Continued growth in the county during the late 19th century led to the construction of a new courthouse in 1893. Architects Rau and Kirsch of Milwaukee designed it in the Richardsonian Romanesque style, featuring local Lannon stone. This matches the stone used for the jail, rebuilt in 1885.
The courthouse became home to the Waukesha County Historical Society & Museum in 1914. A connector building between the courthouse and jail was completed in 1938 through a Works Progress Administration project. The building is in the industrialist style, with some Art Deco detailing. The county courts, departments, and jail moved in 1959 to a larger site on Moreland Boulevard. Some county departments remained in the complex including public works and the coroner. The Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission rented parts of the building for many years. In 2002 the Waukesha County Historical Society & Museum purchased the complex.
The entire complex was rehabilitated for adaptive reuse from 2015-2018 by Historic Prairieville Ltd. Fully restored it is home to Historic Courthouse 1893 (event venue), the Martin Street Apartments, and the Waukesha County Historical Society & Museum.
Erected 2021
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1849.
Location. 43° 0.748′ N, 88° 13.644′ W. Marker is in Waukesha, Wisconsin, in Waukesha County. It is at the intersection of West Main Street and East Avenue, on the left when traveling west on West Main Street. Located behind circle drive in front of the building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 W Main St, Waukesha WI 53186, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Wisconsin and in Greater Milwaukee. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Waukesha Freeman
Another marker is no longer nearby. Courthouse Square (was a few steps from this marker but has been confirmed missing).
Credits. This page was last revised on June 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 12, 2021, by Linda Hansen of Waukesha, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 593 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 12, 2021, by Linda Hansen of Waukesha, Wisconsin. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
