The jail on Courthouse Square was designed by Oshkosh, Wisconsin, architect William Waters and built in 1876. It served both as the sheriff's home and the county lock-up, remaining in continuous use until 1969. That year, a county referendum saved it from demolition, and the Kewaunee County Historical Society was allowed to convert it into a museum. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. The present courthouse was built encompassing the original structure, which dates to 1873, and the jail and courthouse looked as shown around 1910.