The City of Black River falls is a historic and friendly community in the heart of west central Wisconsin and is the County Seat for Jackson County, designated in 1853. The City is centrally located in Jackson County with the villages of Melrose, Taylor, Hixton, Alma Center and Merrillan within a 15 mile radius. A good network of County Trunk Roads and State Highways link the villages to each other and to the city.

In 1872, Black River Falls became the first village in the state to establish a free city Library. The new Public Library, located at 222 Fillmore Street, is the home of the Jackson County History Room. The Jackson County Historical Society is active in the historical preservation in the county. A new Historical Society Museum is located in the original Carnegie Library building, and another Historical Society building is located at 13 South 1st Street.
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To read more about the history of Black River Falls, please choose from the following list of documents which opens with Adobe Reader. If you do not have adobe reader, get it free from www.adobe.com. For a great group of photos showing the Historic area visit blackriverfalls.com, and choose the “history” link. More photos and information about the historical society’s museum will be coming to this site soon!

Early History

Frenchman Gave Black River Its Name

The Jackson County Historical Society Museum, Carnegie Building, located at 321 Main Street next to the Courthouse, Black River Falls, is dedicated to preserving the history of Jackson County. Housed within the Carnegie Library, built in 1915, the museum has two floors of exhibits representing early life in Jackson County. Some exhibits include the Clay Post Office, a complete dental office, lumber and logging displays, and a Native American display featuring photos, beadwork, and leather items. The research area includes county business histories, family histories, biographical files, and much more.

Hours open to the public 10:00 AM-3:00 PM: summer hours – Memorial Day-Labor Day Thursday, Friday, Saturday and winter hours – Labor Day-Memorial Day Wednesday-Friday; or by appointment. Call (715)284-5314, (715)896-0965, or email: jc_historical@yahoo.com.

Located at 13 S. 1st Street, across from the theater, Black River Falls, it survived the Flood of 1911. It has three floors of exhibits including: early American clothing, an extensive Jackson County photo collection for family research, a Ho-Chunk room of exclusive early Native American photos (many taken by Charles Van Schaick), classic cameras, early photo artifacts in a studio setting, a logging camp photo exhibit, and a cranberry display.

The lower level houses our latest attraction, The Americana Music Room, with many one-of-a-kind music exhibits including: a variety of genres and songs from Jackson County and surrounding area, the recorded music industry from the Edison cylinder to the current CD, and a display of Green Bay Packer Music and memorabilia that can be seen at the Packer Fan Hall of Fame in Green Bay. Its truly a one-of-a-kind music showcase experience.

Hours open to the public 10:00 AM-3:00 PM: summer hours – Memorial Day-Labor Day Thursday, Friday, Saturday and winter hours – Labor Day-Memorial Day Wednesday-Friday; or by appointment. Call (715)284-5314, (715)896-0965, or email: jc_historical@yahoo.com