The LaCrosse architectural firm of Stozie & Schick
utilized the Richardsonian Romanesque architectural
style for the 1897 Jail for Clark County. The structure
not only housed convicted prisoners but also provided a
finely appointed Victorian residence for the Sheriff and
his family. The crenellated battlements of the east and
west turrets provided an elevated platform for county
sheriffs to monitor crowds that assembled during the
milk wars of the 20's. The jail portion has three floors of
cells and an isolation area, which are actually two cells
that were recycled from the 1881 Clark County Jail. The
interior of the Victorian home presents a beautiful
balustrade staircase, parlor with fireplace and over the
mantle mirror, pocket doors and original woodwork
throughout. The county abandoned use of the sheriff’s Click on image to enlarge
residence in 1974 and the jail portion in 1978 when it
then became a museum. Museum tour information is posted on the front door. LR, NR
EL – The structure is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
LR – The structure is on the Local Historic Register
NR – The structure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
