The Old Courthouse

The housing of the county government was projected by the supervisors in 1856. They paid James O'Neill $300 for the land upon which the county buildings now stand, and levied a tax of $2,000 for the construction of a courthouse. The contract for the building was let to Edward Furlong upon his bid of $1,895.

The building was of frame construction and was erected upon the site of the present courthouse. It remained there and in use until it was removed in 1876 to make way for a new building. It was then placed upon the south side of Fifth street, a little east of Hewett. There it now provides apartments and one or more offices.

During its existence the old courthouse has received a brick veneer, and has had interior changes.

The bay window is said to have been added at the instance of Mrs. George Hart, whose husband used the first floor as an express office. She was accustomed to sit there and view the proceedings both east and west.

R. J. MacBride, lawyer of Neillsville, in his history of the county says:

"The old building was two stories in height, painted white. It comprised within it a very moderate sized court room and one jury room, on the upper floor. On the first floor were six offices. Persons h a v i n g business with county officials looked them up at their homes or places of business. If they simply desired to ex- amino the records, they would go in and help themselves. That is, they did so if the door was not locked. In case it was locked (which was infrequent) they went through the window, which was never locked."

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