The 1897 Clark County Jail Museum building in Neillsville, Wisconsin served as the actual Clark County jail and Sheriff’s residence from 1897 to 1978. In 1978 a new Clark County Jail was constructed in Neillsville, and the old jail was vacated.
Constructed in 1897, the old jail was a product of its era, boasting sturdy walls and Victorian architectural flourishes that spoke to both security and civic pride. For decades, it housed sheriffs, deputies, and inmates, playing a central role in the administration of justice within Clark County. Its distinctive cellblock and attached sheriff’s residence were a testament to the values and needs of a rural Wisconsin community at the turn of the twentieth century.
The building has 16 cell blocks (12 male, 4 female), an isolation cell, and a drunk tank. Some of the most infamous prisoners in the long history of the building were Caroline Krueger, and sons Leslie and Frank Krueger (1918 & 1919) who were arrested in the aftermath of the 1918 Withee Krueger shootout. Other infamous prisoners held in the Neillsville jail were Buford Sennett and Robert Winslow, arrested at the Pomputis farm at Longwood, Wisconsin for murder in 1947.
A legacy of preservation began long before the old jail was vacated in 1978, and a museum opened its doors. In the 1960s and 1970s, forward-thinking leaders of the Clark County Historical Society stood at the forefront of a movement to save the historic jail. People like Withee’s Natalie Scherf, Vieno Keskimaki, and Alfa Holm. And Clark County names like Marcia Crothers, Pat (North) Struble and Florence Garbisch, pioneer leaders for the Clark County Historical Society. When the new county jail was built in the mid-1970s and Clark County prepared to vacate the original building, those visionaries advocated passionately for its preservation, recognizing its significance as an anchor of community heritage.
In 1978, a significant transformation began. The Clark County Historical Society assumed the lease, repurposing the former jail as a museum dedicated to local heritage. For almost 50 years, the museum served as a bridge to the past, welcoming visitors eager to explore stories of pioneer families, lawmen, inmates, and the everyday fabric of Clark County life.
Museum leadership played a crucial role in this era. Natalie Erpenbach and Steve Roberts of Neillsville emerged as tireless champions, managing the museum and curating its exhibits. Their dedication ensured that visitors found not only artifacts and stories, but also a sense of connection to the very people who walked those halls. Their efforts brought the building’s colorful history to life, and their work will be remembered long after the museum’s doors close.
Exhibits filled former cells and living quarters, showcasing artifacts from courthouse documents and household goods to the personal belongings of former sheriffs. Tours allowed visitors to experience the building in an immersive and educational way. Schoolchildren, lifelong residents, and curious travelers became part of the narrative, honoring the roots of Clark County through preservation and storytelling.
As autumn turned to winter in November 2025, the museum was closed for good and a dispersal sale was held on November 8, 2025. Artifacts collected and stories curated within its walls found new homes, including many that have been transferred to the Owen-Withee History Center.
With the museum’s closure, questions arise about the future of the historic jail. Owned by Clark County, its fate rests in the hands of county officials and the community at large. While its next chapter is uncertain, possibilities abound—perhaps another organization will embrace its legacy, transforming it for new uses or repurposing it as a civic space, an arts venue, or even a research center dedicated to history and culture.
Whatever its future, the building’s architectural integrity and storied past offer a foundation for continued relevance. Its enduring presence is a reminder that even as institutions change, the physical spaces that anchor collective memory remain vital. The community’s ongoing conversation about the building’s fate reflects a shared commitment to honoring history while imagining new ways to serve the needs of Clark County.
The Owen-Withee representatives on the Clark County Board are Scott Jalling (Owen) and Larry Klabon (Withee). If you have thoughts about the fate of the building, call them.