Author Archives: Joe

The Portage County Courthouse on March 12, 2016

Stevens Point Photos

We visited Stevens Point and Plover on Saturday March 12, 2016. We had been at the 2016 First Tree Tapping just north of Stevens Point on Casimir Road, and after a stop for lunch at the Hilltop Pub & Grill, we headed into downtown Stevens Point to see the City – County building which houses the Portage County courts. There is also an annex because there just isn’t room to expand the county side of the building. Afterward we visited the Stevens Point Brewery, home of the infamous “Blue Bullets” but we did not have reservations for the tour. So we drove to neighboring Plover and visited the O’So Brewing tap room. It was very nice.

The 2016 First Tree Tapping was held at the Casimir Gold Sugarbush just north of Stevens Point

2016 Maple Tapping

On March 12, 2016 we drove up to the Stevens Point area for the annual Wisconsin Maple Syrup Producers Association’s First Tree Tapping ceremony. This year the tree tapping was held at the Casimir Gold Sugar Bush just north of Stevens Point. It was a beautiful and fairly warm day, and we watched Alice in Dairyland and the local state senator each tap a tree. There was no farm breakfast, like there was in 2015, but we learned a lot and got to sample some “maple water” fresh from the tree.

The Rock County courthouse on November 29, 2015

Janesville Photos

I visited Janesville on Sunday November 29, 2015. It was a beautiful, sunny Sunday morning. I had never been in downtown Janesville before, at least as far as I can remember, so it was interesting to see the city. I parked on South Main Street and then walked through the park for some pictures of the front of the courthouse. I then walked on the north side of the building to the top of Courthouse Hill. There is a nice park here and many older homes. Then I headed down the south side of the building back to Main Street. From here I walked a few blocks to a bridge over the Rock River for some more pictures. Then it was back to the car (my old 2002 Toyota Corolla on its last courthouse visit) for the drive home.

The Vernon County courthouse on November 22, 2015

Viroqua Photos

I visited the Vernon County courthouse in Viroqua on Sunday November 22, 2015. I got to Viroqua just before noon and it was a beautiful day with an inch or so of new snow on the ground. After walking around the courthouse, I went over to a site managed by the Vernon County Historical Society to see the old St. Mary’s Catholic church and the Foreaker schoolhouse. Then I headed back toward Madison, stopping for some more photos at the Vernon County Museum.

The Richland County courthouse on November 22, 2015

Richland Center Photos

I visited Richland Center on the morning of Sunday November 22, 2015. It was a beautiful but cold day; we had just has the first snowstorm of the season in southern Wisconsin on the previous day. I parked by the courthouse and walked around the square taking pictures. Then I headed over to the Frank Lloyd Wright warehouse for more photos. From there I walked back through the business district to the courthouse. It’s a very nice town and the downtown area is very easy to walk around in.

La Crosse County Links

Here are my links for La Crosse County:

 

The Washington County courthouse on Monday September 14, 2015

West Bend Photos

I visited West Bend on the morning of Monday September 14, 2015. This was the final stop in my three county seat tour on the way home from the Door County Century; I had already stopped in Sheboygan and Ozaukee counties. I stopped first at the current county courthouse which was built in 1961. The building houses both the courthouse and the sheriffs department. It’s a pretty nice looking facility just off of Highway 33.

After that, I drove downtown and spent some time at the old courthouse which is now a museum. It was built in 1889 and the old jail is next door, which was built in 1886. Both buildings have been restored and are used by the Washington County Historical Society.

 

The Sheboygan County courthouse on Monday September 14, 2015

Sheboygan Photos

I visited Sheboygan on Monday September 14, 2015. I was on my way home from the Door County Century and I figured out a route to visit three county courthouses on the way: Sheboygan, Ozaukee and Washington.

I got to Sheboygan before 9:00 a.m. as you can probably tell from the low angle of the sun in the photos. The courthouse building is very nice and being so early in the day, I was able to park in front and then walk around the building and down to Riverview Park.

The Ozaukee County courthouse on Monday September 14, 2015

Port Washington Photos

I visited Port Washington on Monday September 14th, 2015. I was on my way home from the Door County Century and had planned to stop at a few county courthouses along the way. My stop in Ozaukee County was the second of the three I made that morning: first was in Sheboygan County and the last was in Washington County.

I got to Port Washington around 10:00 am and it was a beautiful morning. I stopped first at the old courthouse and then walked down to the harbor for more photos. Then I drove out to the new courthouse for some photos. And that was it for this trip to Ozaukee County.