The Buffalo County courthouse on June 3, 2018
Buffalo County was created in 1853 by the state legislature by dividing up La Crosse County; Clark County was also created by partitioning La Crosse County. Buffalo County was organized the following year which also saw its borders change: it gained some land from both Chippewa and La Crosse counties but Trempealeau County was created by splitting up the newly organized Buffalo County. Truly, the Wisconsin legislature giveth and taketh away.
Buffalo County is named for the Buffalo River which flows through the county and enters the Mississippi River near the city of Alma, which is the county seat. French explorer Father Louis Hennepin is credited with naming the river in 1680. The first permanent European settlement was established in 1839 and was named Holmes Landing and is now known as Fountain City. In 1848 a second settlement was established named Twelve Mile Bluff; this is now known as Alma. The city is named for the Battle of Alma in the Crimean War, which seems a little strange given that the United States was not a participant in the war.
There is a long story about the choice between Fountain City and Alma for the county seat. The county seat was originally Fountain City. However local politics and land developers combined to make this a contentious issue, resulting in a referendum in 1860 in which Fountain City was the winner. But there were some voting irregularities and the Wisconsin Supreme Court stepped in and decided the issue in favor of Alma.
The Buffalo County courthouse is located at 407 South 2nd Street in Alma. The city of Alma is kind of long, but not very wide, which is entirely natural given that the city grew along the river. The city has several levels, each being sort of one step up along the bluffs that border the Mississippi. The current courthouse is on the second level; it was built in 1962. The adjoining wing with the sheriff’s offices and increased jail space was added in 1988.
There is not too much to say about the courthouse complex; basically it is a nice 1960s office building with an impressive veteran’s memorial in front.
As far as I can remember, I had never visited Alma or Buffalo County before my trip to see the courthouse. Alma is a nice city; I wish I had been able to spend more time there. I would have liked to see more of the Mississippi dam and the downtown area. I do recommend driving up to Buena Vista Park. The views of the city and the river are amazing.