Waukesha in Waukesha County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Courthouse Complex
Photographed By Linda Hansen, June 12, 2021
1. Courthouse Complex Marker
Inscription.
Courthouse Complex. . Between 600-1200 this was the site of the Effigy Mounds built by Native American people living here during the Woodland period. There were 7 mounds in geographic shapes and one giant turtle mound. These earthen mounds were lost under new development, beginning in the 1840s, with none remaining today.
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 and 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 and 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 and Museum.
Between 600-1200 this was the site of the Effigy Mounds built by Native American people living here during the Woodland period. There were 7 mounds in geographic shapes and one giant turtle mound. These earthen mounds were lost under new development, beginning in the 1840s, with none remaining today.
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
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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 by Waukesha County Historical Society & Museum. (Marker Number 34-22.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans • 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. Marker 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.
3. Waukesha County Courthouse building built in 1893
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 303 times since then and 28 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.
