Adams

Formed January 1, 1848 (29^th county)

Adams County (20,646), Friendship (648), Adams (1,764)

The red brick and stone Neo-Classical Revival courthouse was built in 1912 and added on in 1975 and 1997.  It is located on Main Street at 3^rd Street.  Wisconsin State Highway 13 is Main Street in the town.  Arthur Peabody is the architect.  The building features columns.  There was also an 1858 courthouse in Friendship.  Adams County was created on January 1, 1848 from Portage County as the 29^th county.  Quincy was the first seat until 1858 when Friendship assumed the role.  The county is named for United States Presidents John and John Quincy Adams.  The county seat was named for Friendship, New York. 

Adams County government consists of a sheriff and 20 Supervisors.  One Circuit Court Judge and One Municipal Court Judge serve Adams County.  The county is situated in central Wisconsin.  Green Bay, Wisconsin is northeast and Madison, Wisconsin is south of the county.  The Wisconsin River forms its western border.  The county center is 2.9 miles Northeast of Friendship.  The county is surrounded clockwise by Portage, Waushara, Marquette, Columbia, Sauk, Juneau, and Wood counties. 

The area of the county is 645.7 square miles.  It is 43 out of 72 in the state.  It ranks 51 out of 72 in population in the state.  It has a density of 32.0 persons per square mile making it 49 out of 72 in the state.  Adams County has 12.2% of its population in its incorporated areas.  There are no Interstates or United States Highways in the county.  The county is a backwards capital letter D.  Friendship is located slightly south and west of center in the county.  The City of Adams is south of Friendship.  Friendship is the county seat and Adams is the largest city.  Friendship is 3.1% of the county population while Adams is 8.5% of the county population.