The available histories on Kewaunee County don't provide much information on the founding of the county or the subsequent building of the jail. The county was partitioned from Door County in 1852 and Kewaunee was named the county seat. Elections were held, a board was put into place and in 1856 they held their first meeting. Shortly after the county organization, building were erected in Kewaunee for government use and served for a time. In 1873 a substantial court house was constructed and in 1876 the county hired William Waters to design a Sheriff's residence and jail. The concept of combining the sheriff's residence and jail was not uncommon in the Midwest and was seen in several Wisconsin counties.