Florence in Florence County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Florence County Courthouse
And Former Jail
— 1889 —
This property has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior. Court House and Former Jail, 1889.
Florence County Courthouse and Jail
The courthouse and jail were built in 1889 at a total cost of $28,282.83. Both are listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places.
In 1882 Florence County was formed from portions of Marinette and Oconto counties. In May 1889 the county supervisors accepted the plans that James E. Clancy submitted for a courthouse. These plans showed a 40 foot high Romanesque Revival style building made of Wisconsin sandstone and blue limestone trimming. It had a high pitched roof, round turrets, arched doors and windows, and a 65 foot tower. Clancy was retained to supervise the construction which was completed in 8 months.
In the last century:
1921 · The vestibule was added to the original entrance.
1941 · The tower was removed, due to deterioration.
1963 · An addition was built on the east side for the sheriff's department and a small courtroom.
1994 · A 10,000 sq. ft. expansion was built to the south with an elevator and additional office space.
These changes have helped keep the graceful old building serving Florence County now and into the future.
Clancy also drew up plans for a small jail. It featured two steel cells for men and an iron cell for women, which were made by the Diebold Safe and Lock Co of Ohio. The county stopped using the jail in the 1930's. After years of disuse, in 2006 an exterior renovation of the jail was completed through the efforts of the Jeffris Family Foundation, Florence County Board, Florence Utilities and the Florence County Historical Society. That preserved one of the two remaining examples of this type of jail in Wisconsin.
Erected by Florence County Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Law Enforcement • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.
Location. 45° 55.266′ N, 88° 14.946′ W. Marker is in Florence, Wisconsin, in Florence County. Marker is at the intersection of Lake Avenue and Cyclops Street, on the right when traveling east on Lake Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 501 Lake Ave, Florence WI 54121, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. James and Ida Goulette (approx. 10.9 miles away in Michigan); Cornish Pump (approx. 10.9 miles away in Michigan); Italians in Dickinson County (approx. 10.9 miles away in Michigan); The Ardis Furnace (approx. 11.1 miles away in Michigan); Maria Santissima Immacolata di Lourdes / Mary Immaculate of Lourdes Church (approx. 11.1 miles away in Michigan); July 4th 1661 (approx. 11.3 miles away in Michigan); Carnegie Library (approx. 11.3 miles away in Michigan); Robert C. Hoyle (approx. 11.3 miles away in Michigan).
Credits. This page was last revised on May 27, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 21, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 232 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 21, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.