Historical Places in Jackson County

National Register of Historic Places in Jackson County, Wisconsin

Jackson County is home to nine sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places, preserving our rich local heritage spanning from prehistoric times to the early 20th century. Explore these historic treasures below:

Andrew Blackhawk Pow-Wow Grounds

Location: Rural Black River Falls | Listed: 2007

A central location for the Ho-Chunk community for over 140 years, used for ceremonies and gatherings. This sacred site continues to serve as an important cultural and spiritual gathering place for the Ho-Chunk Nation. The site serves as hosting traditional, ceremonial, and social gatherings since the 1800s.

Black River Falls Downtown Historic District

Location: Black River Falls | Listed: 2021

Downtown Black River Falls, WI, is a charming, historic hub located in the heart of Jackson County along the Black River. It features unique local shops like The Merchant General Store, cafes, and, as of 2026, dining options such as Revolution Coffee, serving as a central point for exploring the surrounding Driftless Area's outdoor attractions, including the nearby state forest and ATV trails.

Carnegie Library Museum

Location: 321 Main Street, Black River Falls | Listed: 2007

A beautiful Carnegie library building constructed in 1914-1915, currently serving as the Jackson County Historical Society Museum. This building stands as a testament to the community's commitment to education and preservation. Click here for more information.

Historic Keefe House - Franklin & Eva Keefe House

Location: 221 North 3rd Street, Black River Falls | Listed: 2023

Historic Keefe house is notable for its Queen Anne/Colonial Revival style, designed by architect James J. McGillivray. The construction of the house started in 1909 and was completed in 1910 for the first occupants of the house, Franklin E. & Eva Keefe & their children, Verna Keefe & Maurice (Mike) Keefe. Franklin E. Keefe was a prominent & well respected businessman in Black River Falls. He owned the Keefe Furniture & Keefe Funeral Home in Downtown Black River Falls. Franklin also started the first ambulance service in Black River Falls. This elegant residence showcases the craftsmanship and architectural trends of the early 20th century. Click here to check the house's Facebook page or go to https://www.facebook.com/historickeefehouse

Gullickson's Glen

Location: Town of Irving | Listed: 1978

Gullickson's Glen is a significant, restricted-access Wisconsin State Natural Area located near Black River Falls in Jackson County, featuring ancient Native American rock art (petroglyphs) on a sandstone rock shelter. A significant archeological site that provides important insights into the region's prehistoric past.

Millston Union Church

Location: Millston

The historic Millston Union Church stands as a testament to the community's faith and heritage. This beloved landmark has served the Millston community for generations.

Silver Mound Archeological District

Location: Town of Hixton | Listed: 1978

An important prehistoric site known for its ancient quarries where Native Americans mined high-quality chert for tool-making over thousands of years.

Spring Creek Schoolhouse Museum

Location: Rural Black River Falls | Listed: 2024

The Spring Creek Schoolhouse Museum was built in 1885 and operated as a school until 1963. The Schoolhouse Museum is a step back in time of a rural one room schoolhouse featuring many original pieces of the schoolhouse along with other local schoolhouse artifacts. Located at N5311 Moss Hill Road, Black River Falls. Click here for more information.

Union High School

Location: Black River Falls | Listed: 1980

A historic High School building built in 1871 for $30,000. It was built as the first High School in Jackson County and Black River Falls until 1897 when the second High School building was built which is the "Annex" building used by the School District Office today. After 1897 the Union School building was used as a Grade School until the 1970's.

Other Historical Sites in Jackson County

In addition to the National Register sites, Jackson County is home to many other historically significant locations that contribute to our community's heritage:

Black River Falls Post Office

Location: Fillmore Street, Black River Falls

The historic Black River Falls Post Office building was built in 1939 serving the community for generations, representing the federal presence and postal service heritage in Jackson County.

Charles Van Schaick Photo Gallery Building

Location: 13 South 1st Street, Black River Falls

The historic Charles Van Schaick Photo Gallery Building housed the studio of renowned photographer Charles Van Schaick, whose extensive photographic collection documenting Jackson County and the Ho-Chunk Nation from the 1880s to 1940s is now preserved at the Wisconsin Historical Society.

E.A. Homstad House

Location: 20 South 5th Street, Black River Falls

The E.A. Homstad House was built in 1892 as a Queen Anne and is a significant residential building in Black River Falls, representing the architectural heritage and community history of the area.

Fairchild Area History Center

Location: 216 N. Front Street, Fairchild

The Fairchild Area History Center preserves and celebrates the history of Fairchild and the surrounding area, offering visitors a glimpse into the community's heritage through exhibits and historical collections. Click here for the website for Fairchild Area History Center or go to fairchildhistory.org

H.A. Bright House (U.S. Hotel)

Location: 326 South 2nd Street, Black River Falls

The H.A. Bright House, originally built as the U.S. Hotel and Stagecoach stop in the 1840's. In 1885 the house become the residence of H.A. Bright and his family. H.A. Bright was an early Mayor of the city of Black River Falls.

Jackson County Courthouse

Location: Main Street, Black River Falls

The Jackson County Courthouse building was built in 1878 with a remodel in the late 1930's. Jackson County was incorporated as a County in Wisconsin in 1853 designating Black River Falls as the County seat.

JCHS Historic Ford Garage History & Research Center

Location: 34 South 1st Street, Black River Falls

The Jackson County Historical Society's Historic Ford Garage History & Research Center is housed in a historic automotive building, serving as a repository for local history research materials, archives, and genealogical resources for Jackson County. Click here for more information.

St. Joseph's Catholic Church

Location: Main Street, Black River Falls

St. Joseph's Catholic Church traces its roots to 1857, with the first church building constructed in 1871. The current church building started construction in 1939 and was dedicated in 1943.

The Merchant General Store

Location: 216 Main Street, Black River Falls

Take a journey back to yesteryear in our historic general store, dating to 1912. You'll find classic merchandise from both the past and the present, including antiques, collectibles, old time candy, glass bottled soda, hand-dipped ice cream, classic toys, bath & body items, kitchen & housewares, home decor & accents, seasonal decor & merchandise and much more. Check out The Merchant General Store website by clicking here or go to themerchantgeneralstore.com

Millston Area Museum

Location: Millston

The Millston Area Museum preserves and showcases the way of life of the pioneers that settled the Millston, Knapp, Shamrock and Manchester areas. The Museum houses several family albums, photos and family histories of the area as well as a resource library for the outlying areas and their cemeteries. All artifacts on display in the museum are specific to the area and have been collected and donated by local families over the last 30 years. We have tax and assessment records and school district records for Millston and Knapp Townships that start when the Townships were created. For more information on the Millston Area Museum click here or go to millstonareamuseum.com or jchs-wi.org/pages/millston-area-museum

Rustic Mill Park

Location: Hwy 54, Black River Falls

Rustic Mill Park is a scenic historic site of the Charter Oaks Mill in Black River Falls that was built in the 1860's and burnt down in 2012. This peaceful park offers visitors a connection to the heritage of the area's milling industry.

Taylor Museum of History

Location: Taylor

The Taylor Museum of History celebrates the heritage of Taylor area, offering visitors a glimpse into the community's past through carefully curated collections and displays. Located in the old Taylor Grade School building on the first floor. For more information on Taylor Museum of History click here or go to https://jchs-wi.org/pages/taylor-museum or Facebook page at facebook.com/TaylorMuseumofHistory

Historical Sawmill Memorial Monument

Location: Water Street, Black River Falls

The historic sawmill monument erected in 1939 in Black River Falls, WI, commemorates the City's 1839 founding by Jacob Spaulding and the early logging industry that utilized the Black River's waterpower. Located on Water Street, this monument (dedicated in 1939) honors the first sawmill and the significant 19th-century lumber operations, including those run by Mormons. For more information click here.

This list will be updated as sites are submitted to us or as new sites are added to the National Register. To submit a recommendation of a location in Jackson County Wisconsin to be listed here send us the location information, image, and history of on location.

For the complete and most current listing, visit the National Register of Historic Places listings for Jackson County, Wisconsin.

Know of a historic site that should be preserved? Contact the Jackson County Historical Society to learn more about the nomination process.