By: Sarah Helland, Administration Assistant | Dave Sletten, County Administrator | Jon Winter, Past Business Manager-Douglas County Historical Society
A CENTURY OF HISTORY
Rising above the harbor city of Superior, the Douglas County Courthouse has stood for more than a century as a symbol of government, growth, and resilience in northwestern Wisconsin. Built during a period when Douglas County was emerging as a major shipping and railroad hub on Lake Superior, the courthouse reflected both the ambition of a rapidly expanding community and the architectural magnificence popular in the early twentieth century. From landmark legal decisions to moments of civic celebration, the building has witnessed generations of local history while remaining one of the county’s most recognizable public institutions. The courthouse was set to celebrate its 100-year anniversary (2019) in early 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic struck hampering all celebrations.
THE COUNTY SEAT
The legislative act creating the county in 1854 specified the exact site of the county seat. The original Courthouse was built in 1871 and was a two-story frame structure located at the corner of 25th Avenue East and East 5th Street. Later attempts to move the courthouse to a more central location within Superior were sidetracked by the 1854 legislative act (most notably in 1877 when the State legislature upheld the original statutes). By the early years of this century, the county was forced to rent offices in the city’s business district to alleviate overcrowding in the aging building. But in 1916, the State legislature finally agreed to allow the County Board to hold a referendum on the issue, and in November of that year the voters overwhelmingly endorsed the idea of a new site. On January 18, 1917, the committee tasked with finding a new location had unanimously chosen the site on Belknap Street securing the site for the Douglas County Courthouse.
FINEST COURTHOUSE IN THE NORTHWEST
In 1919 when the Douglas County Courthouse was completed, it was hailed as the “finest Courthouse in the Northwest”. The building was constructed with Bedford Blue Cut Limestone and Pavanazza marble. On the first story the stone facing is horizontal with arched windows. Along the south front are eight stone Ionic columns rising from the second to third story. On the parapet, two large panels feature griffins and shields. In the interior, three stories of offices and three County Circuit Courtrooms are organized around a multi-storied court in the center of the building, with balconies on the upper stories overlooking the space. At either end of the court, double stairs leading to a single flight rise between the floors. Encased with marble, the stairways are ornamented with metal spoke-like panels between the marble rails. The floors of the lobby feature a variegated tile surface, and the walls of all three stories are wainscoted in the same marble.
PRESERVING A PIECE OF HISTORY
Dougals County Courthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982, and the State Register of Historic Places in 1989. In 1993 a major renovation took place shifting some internal offices. During this renovation, in 1994 the county also poured concrete in the areas of the
basement that still had a dirt floor. As you walk through the courthouse today, you will see benches on all three floors. Many of these benches were original to the courtrooms and were
moved out during the renovation. The courtrooms still adorn many of the grand old lighting fixtures that are original to the building. As you look at the stain glass ceiling, you will notice carved gold flowers. These flowers used to be lighting fixtures and were filled in during the remodel.
PAST VS PRESENT
In 2003, the Douglas County Government Center was erected and connects to the historic courthouse via a second-story walkway. In comparison, the Courthouse approximate cost was $600,000 about a hundred years ago and took a year and half to build. The Government Center built in 2003 cost $44.7 million, and it took three years to build.
Fun Facts from the Past
First marriage recorded: July 9, 1855
First deed recorded: February 10, 1854
First birth recorded: January 14, 1861
READING THE FINE PRINT
While reading the inscriptions on the front and sides of the courthouse, you will notice the use of “V” instead of “U”. This is a deliberate stylistic choice rooted in ancient Roman letterforms.
The inscriptions read:
- LET JUSTICE BE DONE THOUGH THE WORLD PERISH
- THE CASE OF FREEDOM IS THE CASE OF GOD
- EQUAL LIBERTY WAS ORIGINALLY THE PORTION AND IS STILL THE BIRTHRIGHT OF ALL MEN – FRANKLIN (1790)
- THE VIRTUE OF JUSTICE CONSISTS IN MODERATION AS REGULATED BY WISDOM
- COUNTRIES ARE WELL CULTIVATED NOT AS THEY ARE FERTILE BUT AS THEY ARE FREE
- JUSTICE IS A VIRTUE THAT GIVES MAN HIS OWN EQUAL PORTIONS
DOUGLAS COUNTY COURTHOUSE 2026
Today, the Douglas County Courthouse remains an important center of government and public service for the community. The building houses numerous county offices and departments that help residents access essential services, conduct official business, and address matters involving local government. From administrative functions and public records to the courts and other county services, the courthouse continues to serve as a place where the needs of Douglas County residents are addressed.
County Treasurer
The County Treasurer provides quality service to the general public while collecting real estate taxes, monitoring and taking action on tax delinquent property, and answering questions regarding real estate matters. They also manage and disburse County Funds and inform the County Board of financial considerations.
Clerk of Courts
The Clerk of Courts office is responsible for providing services to the public, legal profession, and the judiciary through:
- The two branches
- Criminal and traffic
- Small claims
- Civil
- Family support
They also provide clerical, record keeping, accounting, and administration services to the court system, they act as registrar of appointments, collect fines, bail, and court ordered payments, and keep court records of every civil, criminal, traffic, divorce, and small claims proceeding.
Circuit Court Branch I & Circuit Court Branch II
The two branches share the caseload according to a rotation plan approved by the judges. Large claims, civil actions, family law cases, and all forfeitures are divided equally between Branch I and Branch II. Case types that are divided equally between the judges include traffic, forfeitures, small claims, evictions, civil, family, adoption, criminal, and termination of parental rights.
County Clerk
The County Clerk is a constitutional officer, elected every four years. The clerk is the Chief Election Officer for Douglas County. The office keeps official minutes and records of the Douglas County Board and its committees, maintains the Douglas County Ordinances, and performs all other duties required by law or the County Board in connection with its meetings and transactions.
District Attorney
The District Attorney’s office pursues justice through fair and ethical prosecution of charged defendants, ensures that victims and witnesses of crimes are treated with dignity and respect and are afforded all their rights under the law, and creates a safer community through the positive partnerships with law enforcement and other community members.
Court Commissioner
The Court Commissioner performs certain judiciary duties as mandated by statute and independently, fairly, and impartially handles matters and resolves contested litigation cases which appear before the court.
Register in Probate/Juvenile Clerk
The mission of the Douglas County Register in Probate is to provide clerical, record keeping, accounting and administrative services to the Court system in the area of probate and all juvenile case filings, following the Wisconsin Statutes and policies set by the Circuit Judge. This office is run in a high-quality manner; showing compassion, confidentiality and understanding to all served.
The Clerk of Juvenile Court files all documents and keeps the court records of the files pertinent to the children’s and juvenile justice code.
Finance
The Finance Department’s primary purpose is to develop, implement, and administer an efficient financial system to accurately provide financial information that accounts and identifies all the financial resources of the County. Financial records are kept in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and with Government Accounting, Auditing, and Financial Reporting (GAAFR) guidelines.
County Surveyor
The primary mission of the County Surveyor is to re-monument and maintain the section and quarter-section corners in the public land survey system and to maintain the Courthouse survey records.
Land Conservation
Douglas County Land Conservation administers the Douglas County Land & Water Conservation Program to meet local priorities and the needs of Douglas County at the direction of the Land Conservation Committee implementing the Douglas County Land & Water Resource Management Plan and utilizing the Wisconsin Soil & Water Resource Management Program to conserve the County’s natural resources.
Land Records
The Land Records Department is committed to providing the most current and accurate land information while striving to advance Geographic Information System (GIS) technology, promote inter-department cooperation, and achieve its long-term goals.
Planning & Zoning
The Planning and Zoning Department protects public interest and our natural resources by the administration of land use policies and ordinances emerging from comprehensive plans, providing assistance to citizens, elected officials, and partners to guide decision-making, and enhances staff capabilities, operational processes, and collaboration with County departments and outside agencies.
Real Property Lister
The Real Property Lister prepares and maintains accurate ownership and description information for all parcels of real property in Douglas County (except for the City of Superior) and prepares and prints property tax bills
Register of Deeds
The Register of Deeds serves as the official County repository for all real estate records, deeds, land contracts, military discharge records for veterans, mortgages, and vital records (birth, marriage, and death records). This office also keeps records and documents for real estate.
UW Madison Extension Douglas County
The Extension Office connects people with the University of Wisconsin. They teach, learn, lead and serve, transforming lives and communities.
Medical Examiner
The Medical Examiner conducts and reports on the medical investigation of all known or suspected homicides, suicides, accidental deaths, medically unattended deaths, and any death which might constitute a threat to the public health and safety.
Then and Now
References and Photo credits to: Douglas County Historical Society, The Superior Telegram March 13, 1920.
Official Souvenir-New Douglas County Court House Remodeling Dedication October 3, 1996 and William Leader-County Clerk, by direction of Building Committee March, 1920
