Our History
Town Square has a rich history that spans more than 160 years, from a bustling county courthouse to a vibrant community center. Today, we honor the building’s remarkable past while creating new opportunities for connection, creativity, and community in Green Lake.
1863–1890s
Early Beginnings
A two-story stone courthouse was built on this site in 1863, followed by a county jail in 1870. By the late 1890s, Green Lake County had outgrown both facilities, sparking a fierce debate over whether the county seat should remain in Dartford, now Green Lake, or relocate to Berlin.
The vote favored Dartford, and acclaimed Oshkosh architect William Waters was commissioned to design a new courthouse. Waters was already well known for his work, including the Wisconsin Building at Chicago’s 1893 Columbian Exposition.
1899–1914
A New Courthouse
Construction began in 1899 after the County Board approved $25,000 in bonds for a new Neo-Classical style courthouse. That investment would be equivalent to approximately $975,831 in purchasing power in 2026.
The new Green Lake County Courthouse became a focal point of the community, distinguished by its grand pedimented portico and cupola. A new jail building was also constructed west of the courthouse, and Sherman G. Potter became the first Circuit Court Judge to preside in the new building.
In 1914, a “cyclone” swept away the courthouse’s original cupola. It was never replaced.
1914–1982
At the Center of County Life
Throughout much of the 20th century, the courthouse was at the center of Green Lake County life, serving as the setting for everything from court proceedings to the local draft board.
The building evolved alongside the county. An east porch was added in 1914, two north additions were completed in 1941, and a 1965 addition connected the courthouse and jail. In the early 1980s, the jail was demolished and replaced by a new safety building.
In recognition of its architectural and historical significance, the Green Lake County Courthouse was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
2011–2012
A New Chapter
After more than a century in the historic courthouse, Green Lake County moved to a new facility on the outskirts of the city in 2011. The future of the landmark building was suddenly uncertain.
After a year of reviewing ideas for the property, an ad hoc committee established by the City and County recommended the Town Square Community Center proposal as the option most likely to succeed while benefiting the community.
On April 17, 2012, Green Lake County voted to sell the property to the Cornerstone Project, Town Square’s nonprofit organization, for just $1. The keys were officially handed over on May 12, 2012.
Summer 2012
A Community Comes Together
Turning an old courthouse into a community center took a community.
Throughout the summer of 2012, teams of volunteers rolled up their sleeves to transform the building. They removed old furnishings, tore up carpeting, pried away plywood walls, painted, scrubbed, polished, and prepared the historic space for an entirely new purpose.
On August 11, 2012, Town Square opened its doors with a mission to meet the wide-ranging needs of the Green Lake area while preserving its historic courthouse home.
Town Square’s First Year
Creating a Community Center
Town Square began taking shape almost immediately. The building opened with a Yoga and Pilates Studio, Lobby Art Gallery, Lester Schwartz Gallery, Green Lake Association offices, and a commercial kitchen business incubator donated by Barry and Ann Rogers.
Former government spaces found new purposes. The County Board Room became Studio A, while the former County Clerk office became Studio B.
During its first year, Town Square also welcomed the University of Wisconsin Idea Scholars Conference and Green Lake’s first annual Christmas holiday event.
2013–2014
Growing Together
Town Square quickly grew into a place for recreation, creativity, entrepreneurship, and community connection.
Green Lake Fitness 24/7 opened, while community members created the Bike Garden and Veterans Memorial Garden. Lester Schwartz outdoor artwork was added to the campus, and Town Square hosted its first community Bingo.
Art, cooking, and fitness classes expanded. Entrepreneurs launched businesses from the commercial kitchen, working artist studios and a therapeutic massage studio were added, and the former courtroom began its transformation into event space.
Town Square also became home to the Green Lake Bird and Nature Club, Green Lake Conservancy, and Green Lake Renewal, while serving as headquarters for the Green Lake Half Marathon and hosting the first annual Green Lake Bird Festival.
2015–2016
Building Community Connections
Town Square took on management of the farmers market, moving it to the Town Square lawn and further establishing the campus as a gathering place in downtown Green Lake.
Green Lake Renewal and Cornerstone merged to form Green Lake Renewal Inc., Town Square’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The Freeland Foundation also moved its headquarters from Washington, D.C. to Town Square.
During this period, Town Square received the Top Rural Development Award from Wisconsin Rural Partners.
2017–2018
Expanding Our Impact
New activities and partnerships continued to bring more people through Town Square’s doors. Kids in the Kitchen summer camp was introduced, and Town Square hosted the Freeland International Film Festival.
Behind the building, the parking lots began their transformation into a new outdoor gathering and event space: Mill Pond Terrace.
2019–2020
New Spaces, New Possibilities
Mill Pond Terrace officially opened, creating a new outdoor destination overlooking the water. Inside, the former courtroom was renovated into the Town Square Ballroom thanks to a donation from Sean and Jo Ellen Madden.
Hangers Resale Shop was created, Broadway Music Camp was added, and Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services opened an office at Town Square. AA and Al-Anon also began holding regular meetings in the building.
2021–2022
More Ways to Gather
Town Square continued to evolve with new spaces and signature events.
Dino Daze and Party on the Pond became annual events, while The Hub and MakerSpace created dedicated places for children and families to play and create. The Boys & Girls Club opened a location at Town Square, and yoga and meditation opportunities expanded.
Town Square hosted its first wedding, and Green Lake Fitness moved into its current main-floor location adjacent to the lobby.
2023–2024
Growing Our Reach
Town Square took on management of the Green Lake Fine Art Show, one of the community’s longest-running traditions, while adding Art Camp for Kids and expanding opportunities for creativity throughout the year.
A partnership with the ADRC brought additional events and classes for seniors, and the annual Health and Wellness Fair and Wedding & Event Expo were introduced.
Improvements were also made throughout the building. Lower-level offices were renovated, the north entrance and restrooms were improved for accessibility, and a Caregivers Support Group began meeting at Town Square.
2025–2026
A Brighter Tomorrow
Town Square continues to grow while staying rooted in its mission of serving the Green Lake community.
Green Lake Stories, presented with the Dartford Historical Society, brought local history into the building where so much of that history happened. Comedy and magic shows expanded entertainment offerings, while a partnership with Art MidWisconsin brought additional art classes and creative opportunities to the community.
The former Jury Room also found a new life as the Jury Room Bar, made possible by Joe and Darlene Holik.
Today, Town Square offers approximately 350 events each year and welcomes more than 60,000 people through its doors, continuing a story that began on this site more than 160 years ago.
History in Pictures
Take a closer look at the people, places, milestones, and moments that have shaped this historic building and Town Square Community Center through the years. From its days as the Green Lake County Courthouse to its transformation into a community gathering place, these photos offer a glimpse into more than a century of history.
A two-story stone courthouse was built on this site in 1863, serving Green Lake County for more than three decades before the present courthouse was constructed.
Green Lake County added a jail near the courthouse in 1870. By the late 1890s, the county had outgrown both the courthouse and jail.
Acclaimed Oshkosh architect William Waters was selected to design a new courthouse after voters chose to keep the county seat in Dartford, now Green Lake. Waters was also known for designing the Wisconsin Building at Chicago’s 1893 Columbian Exposition.
Construction began in 1899 on the new Neo-Classical courthouse, featuring a grand pedimented portico and prominent cupola. The County Board approved $25,000 in bonds to fund the project.
A new county jail was constructed just west of the courthouse, creating a county government complex in the heart of Green Lake.
Sherman G. Potter was the first Circuit Court Judge to preside in the new Green Lake County Courthouse.
In 1914, a powerful storm described at the time as a “cyclone” swept away the courthouse’s original cupola. It was never replaced.
For more than a century, the courthouse was at the center of county life. Among its many functions, the building housed the draft board.
Court proceedings were among the many government functions that took place within the courthouse throughout the 20th century.
The courthouse expanded as the county’s needs grew. An east porch was added in 1914, two north additions followed in 1941, and a 1965 addition connected the courthouse and jail.
The historic Green Lake County Courthouse was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982, recognizing its architectural and historical significance.
An early postcard shows the Green Lake County jail and courthouse standing side by side as part of the county government complex in Green Lake.
After Green Lake County moved to a new facility, the historic property was sold to the Cornerstone Project for $1. The County Clerk handed over the keys on May 12, 2012, beginning the building’s next chapter.
Volunteers came together to transform the former courthouse into a community center, removing old furnishings, carpeting and other remnants of its former use.
Teams of volunteers painted, scrubbed, polished and prepared the historic building to welcome the community once again.
Town Square Community Center officially opened on August 11, 2012, with a mission to meet the needs of the Green Lake area while preserving the historic courthouse buildings.
A Yoga and Pilates Studio was among the first spaces to open at Town Square, beginning a tradition of health and wellness programming that continues today.
Town Square opened with the Lester Schwartz Gallery, bringing art into the former courthouse and establishing the building as a place for creativity and culture.
The Green Lake Association was among the organizations that made Town Square its home when the community center opened.
Barry and Ann Rogers donated a commercial kitchen that became a business incubator, giving local entrepreneurs a place to develop and grow their businesses.
During its first year, Town Square hosted the University of Wisconsin Idea Scholars Conference and Green Lake’s first annual Christmas holiday event.
Green Lake Fitness 24/7 opened at Town Square, adding a year-round fitness resource for the community.
Children and adults jump together outside Town Square during the community center’s early years, capturing the energy and excitement surrounding its new chapter.
Community members came together to create the Bike Garden and Veterans Memorial Garden on the Town Square grounds.
Lester Schwartz artwork was added outdoors, expanding Town Square’s growing collection of art beyond the walls of the historic building.
Town Square hosted its first community Bingo, beginning an event tradition that would become a regular gathering for the Green Lake community.
Art, cooking and fitness classes became part of Town Square’s growing schedule, creating new opportunities for people to learn and connect.
Town Square continued expanding its classes and activities as the former courthouse developed into a busy community center.
Town Square took over management of the Green Lake farmers market and moved it to the Town Square lawn, bringing vendors and shoppers together downtown.
Green Lake Renewal and Cornerstone merged to form Green Lake Renewal Inc., the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization behind Town Square Community Center.
Kids in the Kitchen summer camp joined Town Square’s growing lineup of youth programming, giving young participants a hands-on introduction to cooking.
Town Square welcomed the Freeland International Film Festival, adding an international film event to the activities taking place inside the historic courthouse.
Former parking lots behind Town Square were transformed into Mill Pond Terrace, creating a new outdoor gathering and event space overlooking the Mill Pond.
The former courtroom was renovated into the Town Square Ballroom with a donation from Sean and Jo Ellen Madden, giving the community a new space for celebrations and events.
Hangers Resale Shop was created at Town Square, adding a resale shopping experience that supports the community center and its mission.
Broadway Music Camp joined Town Square’s youth programming, giving young performers an opportunity to explore music and the performing arts.
Dino Daze became an annual Town Square event, bringing prehistoric-themed activities and family fun to the community.
The Hub and MakerSpace were created to give children and families dedicated places to play, create and spend time together at Town Square.
Town Square launched Party on the Pond, bringing the community together at Mill Pond Terrace for an outdoor summer celebration.
Town Square took over management of the Green Lake Fine Art Show, continuing a longstanding Green Lake tradition celebrating artists and fine art.
Art Camp for Kids was added to Town Square’s programming, giving young artists opportunities to experiment, create and learn.
Magic and comedy shows joined Town Square’s event calendar, bringing new live entertainment experiences to the historic building.
Joe and Darlene Holik helped transform the former Jury Room into the Jury Room Bar, giving new life to another space from the building’s courthouse days.
Young artists work alongside an instructor in Town Square’s MakerSpace, showing how the historic courthouse continues to serve new generations through creative programming.
A colorful, Picasso-inspired creation makes an appearance during the Green Lake Fine Art Show, part of Town Square’s continuing commitment to bringing art and community together.