Rusk County is named for Jeremiah Rusk, who was the Governor of Wisconsin from 1882 to 1889.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Sawyer County
E – Price County and Taylor County
S – Taylor County and Chippewa County
W – Barron County
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 Ladysmith. 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.
History: Gates County was created in 1901 and changed to Rsk County in 1905. The first courthouse was designed and constructed by Stanley Manufacturing Company in 1902 to 1903. The second and present courthouse was constructed in 1964 to 1965 and the old courthouse became the Administration Building and parts of 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 in the center of Ladysmith. The building was the original county courthouse designed and constructed by Stanley Manufacturing Company and additions were added in 1996. 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”.
County Courthouse – Ladysmith
County Administration – Ladysmith
Picture 1902 County Courthouse
Photos taken 2007 and 2011