Happy Birthday Manitowoc County!

On this auspicious day of July 8th, fresh from celebrating our nation’s independence, this centennial birthday celebration marks not only the one hundredth anniversary of the Manitowoc County Historical Society (one of Wisconsin’s oldest), but also the beautiful structure we stand before today, the Manitowoc County Courthouse.

The Courthouse, constructed in the Beaux Arts Neo-classical style, is an elegant and magnificent edifice that graces downtown Manitowoc. It is the City of Manitowoc’s great fortune that our forefathers had the compelling foresight to not only locate the Courthouse in downtown Manitowoc, but to create such a significant and striking structure that has been preserved these 100 years. And for that, I applaud the County of Manitowoc for taking care of and maintaining the Courthouse these many years, preserving its authenticity.

The refined beauty of the Courthouse, albeit on a smaller scale, is on par with the grandeur of the statehouses in Madison and Washington. It is an edifice in which the citizens of Manitowoc can take much pride. It is a landmark, both local and to visitors alike, and is the anchor for Manitowoc’s downtown Historic District. Recognized by the United States Department of the Interior on the National Register of Historic Places, the Manitowoc County Courthouse gives integrity to the whole of Manitowoc’s Historic
District.

The Manitowoc County Courthouse, is a part of who we are. Aside from our few celebrated centenarians in town, it predates most of us and may outlast most of us. It certainly outlasted several mayors during the construction phase. Mayor William Rahr was in office when the 1902 resolution calling for a “more commodious and convenient courthouse” was passed, while Mayor William Kemper was in office when the construction was underway, and Mayor Henry Stolze, Jr. was in office when the building was finally dedicated. As Mayor of the City of Manitowoc a century later, I am thrilled that our forefathers had the presence of mind to commit to such a distinguished, polished and cultured structure to represent Manitowoc County.

Richard Florida, author of the “The Rise of the Creative Class”, and a national speaker regarding the importance of creativity and its effects on the economy, extols the value of an authentic downtown. An authentic downtown creates an identity for the city, bolsters the psyche of her citizens, and draws visitors from afar to visit her. The beauty and grandeur of the Courthouse, and an authentic downtown, appeals to our values and tastes, and even our sense of pride. It can also affect the choice of those entrepreneurs and businessmen considering Manitowoc for relocation, with an ultimate positive impact on our local economy.

It’s incredible to consider the lasting impact that decisions made 100 years ago have on today’s economy. Chief Wampum, Indian Friend of the Early Settlers, to whom a monument stands even today just off Broadway Street, would have espoused the philosophy of seven generation thinking. That is, how will a decision made today affect those who live seven generations from now? Clearly, the county officials making decisions about the location and design of the 3rd and current Manitowoc County Courthouse were touched with the wisdom of Chief Wampum. As the center of County government, and an important architectural structure exemplifying Manitowoc’s historic district, the Manitowoc County Courthouse has achieved, on many levels, the success of seven generation decision making.

Chris Tegen, a native son of Manitowoc, served as architect for the historic project. Mr. Tegen is also credited as the original architect of other memorable facilities in the City of Manitowoc including Holy Family Hospital, Schuette Bros. Dept. Store, the Dempsey Block of North 8th Street (where Beernsten’s is located), Cleveland School (currently Martin’s College of Cosmetology), the old Jefferson School, and the Luling School (currently the McKinley Administration Building). Perhaps Mr. Tegen derived inspiration from climbing Roefes Hill (current site of Lincoln High School) to gaze at a panoramic view of the once-rustic city in a simpler, less developed time. A mural, depicting just such a view circa 1882, still graces the interior wall of the Courthouse. We are fortunate that progress, and her sometime companion haste, did not destroy this rare glimpse of
Manitowoc’s past. And so it is, firmly rooted in the past, that we go successfully forward.

It is, therefore, with great pleasure that I commend and congratulate Manitowoc County and her citizens for the care and maintenance of this jewel, this Diamond on the Lakeshore, the Manitowoc County Courthouse.

Happy 100th Birthday Manitowoc County Courthouse!