Manitowoc

Formed January 1, 1836 (9^th county)

Manitowoc County (81,360), Manitowoc (34,640)

The classic masonry and stone Beaux Arts/Classical Revival structure was constructed in 1907.  It is sited on a square at 8^th, Hancock, 9^th, and Washington streets.  United States Highway 10 is 8^th Street in this part of the town.  Chris H. Tegen provided the designs.  The courthouse features a dome.  There was also an 1875 version of the courthouse.  The county was organized on January 1, 1836 as the 9^th county.  Manitowoc Rapids was the first county seat until 1853 when Manitowoc became the seat.  The county and county seat names were derived from the Native American word meaning “spirit land.” 

Manitowoc County government consists of a sheriff and 25 Supervisors.  Three Circuit Court Judges and Five Municipal Court Judges serve Manitowoc County.  The county is located on the eastern border of the state.  Lake Michigan is its eastern border.  Green Bay, Wisconsin is northwest and Milwaukee, Wisconsin is south of the county.  The county center is 5.5 miles West-Northwest of Manitowoc nearer Alverno.  The county is surrounded clockwise by Kewaunee County and Michigan and Sheboygan, Calumet, and Brown counties. 

The area of the county is 589.1 square miles.  It is 48 out of 72 in the state.  It ranks 21 out of 72 in population in the state.  It has a density of 138.1 persons per square mile making it 19 out of 72 in the state.  Manitowoc County has 70.6% of its population in its incorporated areas.  Interstate Highway 43 passes north to south in the county from Brown County to Sheboygan County.  United States Highway 10 originates and heads west into Calumet County.  United States Highway 151 originates and goes west into Calumet County.  The county resembles the State of Louisiana standing on its western side.  The City of Manitowoc is located on the eastern border of the county.  Manitowoc is the county seat and the largest city.  It is 42.6% of the county population.  The county and county seat are pronounced MAN-I-TOE-WOK.  This county is in the Manitowoc Micropolitan Statistical Area.