Explore Local Historic Sites

The Tower Heritage Center actively preserves several nineteenth-century buildings located in Washington County, Wisconsin. Explore these buildings' captivating past and present-day use.

1889 COURTHOUSE

The 1889 Courthouse is a beautifully restored landmark, just minutes from West Bend’s historic downtown and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Designed by renowned architect Henry Koch, this building served as Washington County’s Courthouse for over 70 years. From the vault door in the Treasurer’s office to the stained glass windows in the Circuit Courtroom - original details continue to tell the story of this building's past.

Today, the 1889 Courthouse is activated as an archive, event venue, and coworking space. Visit the blog or join a guided tour to see the original stained glass windows, learn about century-old graffiti, and understand the story behind this remarkable historic building.

Historic Graffiti inside the 1889 Courthouse Tower

Discover over a century of signatures inside the 1889 Courthouse Tower. Historic graffiti is preserved by The Tower Heritage Center.

The Tower Heritage CenterBridgette Becker

1886 JAILHOUSE

Built to be escape-proof – but was it? For 75 years, this building served as Washington County's Jailhouse. The elected Sheriff and his family lived on the front portion of the building, a charming, nine-room residence. Immediately behind the residence is the cellblock, made of iron lattices.

The architectural design of the 1886 Jailhouse isn't only beautiful - but rare. This building is only one of two buildings in the Upper Great Lakes region with a surviving (and still functional) cell block.

Visit the blog or join a guided tour to walk through the jail cells, hear stories of the sheriff's families, and learn the architectural history of this National Register of Historic Places building.

The Story of the 1886 Jailhouse – One of Wisconsin’s Most Famous Historic Buildings

Standing on the hill of West Bend’s 5th Avenue is a building with more than a century of stories, the 1886 Jailhouse. This Cream City brick icon is one of the region’s most famous historic buildings. And it’s no wonder why: with a fully intact cell block

The Tower Heritage CenterSteven Stuckey

FRISBY-WAGNER HOUSE

Built in 1865 by Leander F. Frisby, this Italianate structure is one of West Bend's oldest surviving buildings. Originally designed as a residence, this building has undergone generations of change. Most notably, in 1890, Herman Wagner acquired the property, adding the Cream City brick veneer.

Visit the blog to discover the story behind this building, current restoration work, and plans for this site's future.

Early Success, Saving Frisby House’s Critical Original Feature

Who knew that historic glass reflects light differently than modern glass? Or that the shape of a glazing putty knife can impact a window’s water resistance?? Details like this connect us to a building’s humanistic story. In the Heritage Center’s first preservation workshop, participants worked to restore

The Tower Heritage CenterSteven Stuckey

More Historic Sites in Washington County, Wisconsin

From historic parks to immersive museums, Washington County's community has an array of remarkable historic sites.