18 Stunning Pieces Of Wisconsin Architecture That Belong On Your Bucket List
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Nicole
Author
From soaring, imposing courthouses to medieval-style churches in the woods, the architecture of Wisconsin not only shows our roots and influences but tells the history of our state and the people who came and settled here. Across the state, you’ll find some gorgeous, unique, and amazing buildings to explore, photograph, and enjoy. We had a list of 12 Pieces Of Architectural Brilliance In Wisconsin That Could WOW Anyone a few years back that covers many of the most obvious and famous pieces of architecture in The Badger State. But we managed to find a few more not only unique but also famous buildings in Wisconsin – each one an interesting and awesome place for you to visit!
1. Stavkirke - Washington Island
Washington Island Stavkirke, Town Line Rd, Washington, WI 54246, USA
Stavkirke, a replica of a Scandinavian-style medieval church, is owned by Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church and is used mostly for ceremonial purposes.
Located on Town Line Rd, Washington, WI 54246.
2. Cana Island Lighthouse - Baileys Harbor
Cana Island Lighthouse, 8800 E Cana Island Rd, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202, USA
Still in active use, the Cana Island Lighthouse was built in 1870 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Located just off Bailey's Harbor on Door County at 8800 E Cana Island Rd, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202.
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3. Pabst Theater - Milwaukee
The Pabst Theater, 144 E Wells St, Milwaukee, WI 53202, USA
Frederick Pabst bought an opera house on this site in Milwaukee in 1890. Two subsequent fires destroyed that building and the current one was erected in 1895. It is done in the German Renaissance Revival style and was one of the most fireproof buildings of its day. It's done in the style of German opera houses, giving it great acoustics. There's a hydraulic orchestra pit and a two-ton Austrian crystal chandelier. Located at 144 E Wells St, Milwaukee, WI 53202.
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4. Columbus City Hall
Columbus, Wisconsin City Hall, 105 N Dickason Blvd, Columbus, WI 53925, USA
Opened in 1892, this was a true multi-use building for the city of Columbus, housing the jail, the police department, the fire department, the library, and a public auditorium that sometimes doubled as a movie theater. Located at 105 N Dickason Blvd, Columbus, WI 53925.
5. Lincoln County Courthouse - Merrill
Lincoln County Circuit Court, 1110 E Main St #200, Merrill, WI 54452, USA
Built in 1903, this Beaux-Arts style building sits on near the Wisconsin River north of Wausau. It's a beautiful, imposing building. Located at 1110 E Main St, Merrill, WI 54452
6. Farmers and Merchant Union Bank - Columbus
Farmers & Merchants Union Bank, 104 Industrial Dr, Columbus, WI 53925, USA
Designed by architect Louis Sullivan, the father of skyscrapers, this small-town bank in Columbus is one of just eight "jewel box" style buildings he designed. Located at 159 James Street, Columbus, WI 53925
7. First Unitarian Society Meeting House - Shorewood Hills
First Unitarian Society, 900 University Bay Dr, Madison, WI 53705, USA
Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, this is one of the largest Unitarian Universalist congregations in the world. Wright's parents were founders of this church and he was a member.
Located at 900 University Bay Dr, Madison, WI 53705.
8. Grant County Courthouse - Lancaster
Grant County Clerk of Court, 130 W Maple St, Lancaster, WI 53813, USA
This classic revival-style building in Lancaster is from 1902 and has a gorgeous copper and glass dome. Located at 130 W Maple St, Lancaster, WI 53813.
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9. Joan of Arc Chapel - Milwaukee
St. Joan of Arc Chapel, 1421 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USA
Thought to be originally built in France in the 15th century, Joan of Arc Chapel - Milwaukee was moved to New York in the early 1900s and then to Marquette's campus in 1964.
It is situated on the south side of Marquette's campus, west of the Raynor Memorial Libraries. Parking for St. Joan of Arc Chapel is available in the 16th Street Parking Structure.
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10. Stoughton City Hall and Opera House - Stoughton
Stoughton City Hall, 207 S Forrest St, Stoughton, WI 53589, USA
My guess is there aren't too many other places in the world where you can find a City Hall on the first floor and an Opera House on the second. But in Wisconsin, this building from 1901 is beautiful on the outside, but the true gorgeousness is in the opera hall inside. Located at 381 E Main St, Stoughton, WI 53589.
11. Bray's Point (Rockwell) Lighthouse - Oshkosh
Brays Point, Oshkosh, WI 54901, USA
This gorgeous lighthouse in Oshkosh is unusual in that it was privately built in 1910. A state senator, George Bray, owned the land and built the lighthouse to mark the entrance to the Fox River. Located on Bay Shore Dr, Oshkosh, WI 54901.
12. Mabel Tainters Center for the Performing Arts - Menomonie
Historic Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts, 205 Main St E, Menomonie, WI 54751, USA
This place in Menomonie has an imposing stone exterior, but it's the performance hall inside that you'll want to take a look at. Make sure you check out the original Steere and Turner pipe organ, with a total of 1,597 pipes and 28 stops. This homage to the daughter of a lumber baron who died at 19 is a truly gorgeous piece of architecture. Located at 205 Main St E, Menomonie, WI 54751.
13. Mecikalski Stovewood Building - Pelican Lake
Mecikalski Stovewood Building, 465 Max Rd, Pelican Lake, WI 54463, USA
Built in 1899, this Wisconsin National Historical Site is the only known commercial example utilizing the stovewood building method in the United States. It's considered a type of folk art and is singularly American in style. Located at 465 Max Rd, Pelican Lake, WI 54463.
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14. Basilica of St. Josaphat- Milwaukee
Basilica of Saint Josaphat, 2333 S 6th St, Milwaukee, WI 53215, USA
One of 62 minor basilicas found in the US, the Basilica of St. Josaphat- Milwaukee is modeled after St. Peter's Basilica in Rome and has one of the largest copper domes in the world. The inside is ornate and opulent and the style has come to be known as Polish Cathedral. Finished in 1901, it features stained glass from Austria. Located at 2333 S 6th St, Milwaukee, WI 53215.
15. Dell's Mill - Augusta
The Dells Mill and Museum, E18855 Co Rd V, Augusta, WI 54722, USA
Built in 1864 as a grist mill, Dell's Mill became a social spot of sorts where farmers gathered and waited for their grinding to be done. First, it was a wheat mill, but it later adapted to become a flour and feed mill and operated continuously until 1968. Located at E18855 County Road V, Augusta, WI 54722.
16. Oneida County Courthouse - Rhinelander
Oneida County Courthouse, 1 S Oneida Ave, Rhinelander, WI 54501, USA
The highlight here, one of the most popular places in Rhinelander, is the Tiffany glass dome, though the big imposing building from 1908 has plenty to see. There are actually two domes towering 50 feet above the first floor. More than 2,000 panes of glass make up the dome. Located at 1 S Oneida Ave, Rhinelander, WI 54501
17. Black Point Estate - Lake Geneva
Black Point Estate and Gardens, W4270 Southland Rd, Lake Geneva, WI 53147, USA
One of the oldest mansions on the shores of Lake Geneva, the beautiful Black Point Estate was built in 1888 in the Queen Anne style. Now accessible via boat tours, the 13-room estate tells the story of the opulence of summering in Lake Geneva.
Located at W4270 Southland Rd, Lake Geneva, WI 53147.
18. House on the Rock - Spring Green
The House on the Rock Resort, 400 Springs Dr, Spring Green, WI 53588, USA
The House on the Rock, an opulent, over-the-top house outside of Spring Green, isn't always easy to describe, but it certainly is one of the most unique pieces of architecture in all of Wisconsin.
Located at 5754 State Road 23, Spring Green, WI 53588.
If you were to do a search for “fancy buildings near me,” one of these spots would most certainly pop up at the top of the list!
Have you ever been to any of these awesome places? If so, which ones were your favorites? Do you know of any other fancy buildings in Wisconsin? What architectural gems do you love to check out? We’d love to read about your experiences in the comments section below!
For those who love hiking, you can find some great trails in and around these awesome spots by going to the AllTrails website.
Exploring takes on a new level when you check out A Trip Inside Wisconsin’s Frozen Caves Is Positively Surreal.
If you’re still in the mood for more Badger State adventures, take a look at this video:
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More to Explore
More Wisconsin Adventures
Where can we find the best restaurants in Wisconsin?
- The Immigrant in Kohler has been rated as a AAA Four Diamond Award winning fine dining restaurant.
- Café Hollander Hilldale in Madison serves delicious European-style food in a unique setting.
- The Robin's Nest Café in Hayward is known for their amazing breakfast fare.
Read on to learn more about some of the many other delicious restaurants in Wisconsin.
Where can we learn about Wisconsin history?
- The Fur Trade Museum in Prairie du Chien is located in a building dating back to the early 1800s where fur trading took place in the early pioneer heydays.
- Ten Chimneys in Waukesha started out as a rejuvenation retreat for many Broadway actors back in the day, and today encompasses a large main house, pool house, cottage, greenhouse, Swedish log cabin studio, and more.
- The Wade House Historic Site in Greenbush is a 240-acre open-air museum that details the age of horse-powered transportation via a former stagecoach hotel, sawmill, carriage house, and blacksmith.
Read on to learn about some the many other places where you can learn about Wisconsin history
Where can we find wineries in Wisconsin?
- Cold Country Vines and Wines in Kewaunee features spectacular wines in a beautiful setting plus live music events.
- Dixon’s Autumn Harvest Winery and Orchard in Chippewa Falls sits right in the middle of a beautiful apple orchard.
- The Clover Meadow Winery in Shell Lake is set amidst one of the state's oldest forests.
Read on to learn more about some of the many other amazing wineries in Wisconsin.