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 and Victorian-era residence, this building is impressively historic – echoing life in a bygone era.
The 1886 Jailhouse is a testament to early Washington County’s resilience, ingenuity, and entrepreneurial roots. With help from our archival records- property maps, building committee meeting minutes, historic photos & more – immerse yourself in the story behind the 1886 Jailhouse!
Fire Hazard, Gifted Land, and $10,000.00
Before we dive into the story of the 1886 Jailhouse, we have to go back – way back – to Washington County’s very first jailhouse…
The original jailhouse, built in 1854, was wood-framed and positioned on a plot of land gifted to Washington County in 1853 for perpetual public use. However, by 1884, the original jailhouse – now dilapidated – was considered incongruous and a fire hazard.
The County put forth a vote for the community to decide whether a new jailhouse should be constructed. The community voted in favor, and in 1885, Washington County formed a building committee. “A new jail and sheriff’s house and office is to be built, the cost of which shall not exceed $10,000.” – Washington County Board minutes (November 18th, 1885)
So, there you have it. One fire hazard, some gifted land, and a $10,000 budget later… the future of the 1886 Jailhouse was sealed!
Building the 1886 Jailhouse
Designing a building of any size is a feat. And building remarkable architecture, like our Jailhouse, requires a remarkable designer!
The building committee hired E.V. Koch, a legendary Milwaukee architect. It’s his imagination that’s responsible for the Romanesque Revival style. Construction of the Jailhouse lasted a year, finishing in 1886. By that time, the building committee had spent $13,300 (about $3,300 over budget).
So, what makes the design of the Jailhouse distinctive? Entering the front door, you’ll see the sheriff’s residence – a nine-room home. Visually divided by a door, the second half of the building is a cell block. The 1886 Jailhouse is only one of two in the Great Lakes region with a fully intact cell block. Built from riveted iron lattices, all eight cells still function and lock.
inked by an inmate
In 1897, an inmate spent his stay sketching the Jailhouse’s interior and window view. At this time, candles lit up the Jailhouse, as there was no electricity or plumbing until 1908.
Do you see the fence? Made of wood, and reaching eight feet high! Can you imagine what it would look like if the Courthouse Square Grounds still had a jail yard?
To the left of the sketch are two wooden buildings: a woodshed and the sheriff’s barn. Both were donated to the West Bend Insane Asylum in 1912. Later, the Carriage House was built in their place.
Life in the 1886 Jailhouse
Over time, 26 different families lived in the house during the building’s 75-year use as Washington County’s jail. The residence contains nine rooms used by the family, including the sheriff’s office and a women’s and juvenile cell.
It was the (unpaid) job of the sheriff’s wife to care for the inmates. This hard work included laundry, cooking, and cleaning. Children were expected to pitch in too, washing dishes and delivering meals to the inmates. Can you imagine what it must have been like: having half of your home as an operating jail?
The 1886 Jailhouse and surrounding squaregrounds were a center for civic and cultural activity in Washington County. For instance, before WWII commenced, a National Defense scrap aluminum drive occupied land behind the Jailhouse.
Restoration & New Beginnings
Times, they are a’ changing… In 1958, the State of Wisconsin declared that the facilities were no longer adequate to be an operating jail. Washington County government began constructing a new county jail in the early 1960s at a new location for greater size and parking.
1886 Jailhouse becomes A county museum
In 1962, the Washington County Historical Society was given the first floor of the 1886 Jailhouse to be used as a museum. (The civil defense director was granted access to work in the basement.)
By the early 1980s, the historical society filled the entire building. 12 years later, the historical society was granted permission to expand its collection and exhibition spaces into the 1889 Courthouse next door.
Now stewarding two buildings, the 1886 Jailhouse and 1889 Courthouse, a massive restoration was undertaken to revive these buildings’ character. Critical projects included replacing the Jailhouse’s roof in 1998.
In 2002, this image details the ceiling decoration on the front parlor’s plaster ceiling. The design has been replicated, mirroring a similar effect in the space today.
A Legacy Worth Protecting
Fast-forward to 2019, and Washington County is memorializing a strategy to endow full ownership of the Jailhouse to The Tower Heritage Center. In 2022, The Tower Heritage Center became the independent steward of the city block and the marvelous buildings within.
Preservation of the 1886 Jailhouse – as with any historic building – is an ongoing effort.
Today, the building needs preservation work and a unified interpretation. The vision is to reactivate this site, fully restoring it to 1886, to create an immersive house museum experience complete with light mapping technology.
Parting Words
For nearly 140 years, The Tower Heritage Center’s Jailhouse has stood as an icon. Thanks to community support, we can preserve and protect the Jailhouse, continuing the wonder and amazement for generations to come.
To experience this one-of-a-kind place, visit the events calendar for specialty tours.
Preserving the past, for tommorrow
Community support keeps Washington County’s stories alive. Make a difference in preserving our community’s historic places and cultural heritage today, by becoming a member.