Rusk County is named for Jeremiah Rusk, who was the Governor of Wisconsin from 1882 to 1889.
Created: January 19, 1905
County Seat:
Ladysmith 1905 – present
County Courthouse – Ladysmith
Location: 311 Miner Avenue East / East 4th Street
Built: 1964 – 1965
Style: Modern
Architect: Dobberman & Helske
Contractor: Steel Structures, Incorporated of Medford
Description: The building faces south and is a two story rectangular brick and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of the city. The south front has vertical concrete dividers with long narrow windows between. The central recessed entrance has a solid white stone panel above the doorway. The rest of the building is a red-yellow colored brick. The building was constructed as an annex with the old courthouse on the north side.
Note: The original courthouse was constructed in 1902 by Stanley Manufacturing Company and the building was demolished as the new additions were constructed.
County Administration – Ladysmith
Location: 311 Miner Avenue East / East 4th Street
Built: 1996 – 1997
Style: Modern
Architect: Ayers Associates
Contractor: Market & Johnson, Inc.
Description: The building faces east and is a modern three story red colored brick and concrete structure. The building is located on the north side of the courthouse. The east entrance has a concrete portico with concrete facing above. The roof line is flat. The building sits on the site of the old courthouse. The buildings are called the “Rusk County Government Center”.
Courthouses:
N – Sawyer County
E – Price County and Taylor County
S – Taylor County and Chippewa County
W – Barron County
County Courthouse
County Administration
Photos taken 2007 and 2011