Houston County | US Courthouses

Houston County is named for Sam Houston, who was a Texas politician.

Created: February 23, 1854

County Seat:

Caledonia 1855 – present

County Courthouse – Caledonia

Location: 304 South Marshall Street / Washington Street

Built: 1883 – 1885

Style: Romanesque

Architect: Maybury and Sons of Winona

Contractor: Noonan and Stellwager

Description: The building faces east and is a two story brown colored rough limestone structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of the city. The east front has a recessed entrance trimmed with stone on the first story. Above rises a high square stone tower with peaked roof. The building extends outwards on the north and south sides. The building contains five chandeliers and ornamental woodwork. The old courtroom is located on the second story and is used as the Commissioer’s RoomIn 1965 and 1966, an annex was added. The contractor was Nelson Construction Company of Caledonia. In 1977, another larger addition was added on the north side. The contractor was Kratt, Meyer and Lachecki of La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Note: The first courthouse was built in 1857 and the second courthouse was built in 1868 at a cost of $2,000. The cost of construction of the current and third courthouse was $60,000.

County Justice Center – Caledonia

Location: 304 South Marshall Street / Washington Street

Built: 2017 – 2018

Style: Modern

Architect: Klein McCarthy Group

Contractor: Knutson Construction Services

Description: The building faces south and is a one story buff colored brick and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of the city on the east side of the courthouse. The rectangular building has a projecting square concrete tower at the south side with the main entrance. The windows are narrow and vertical. The roof line is flat. The courtroom are located along the east side of the second story. On the second story are two murals from the old courthouse. The building contains the jail with the old 1875 Jail on the northwest.

Courthouses:

N – Winona County

E – La Crosse County, Wisconsin and Vernon County, Wisconsin

S – Allamakee County, Iowa and Winneshiek County, Iowa

W – Fillmore County