The development of Richland Center as an agricultural support community and retail trade center is reflected in its fine architectural heritage. Buildings dating from as early as the mid-1850s and 1860s still remain in the city. The greatest wealth and diversity shown in the city’s architecture dates from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries when Richland Center experienced rapid growth and prosperity as a result of the creation of the Pine River and Stevens Point Railroad in 1876.
The two major building boom periods were the years from 1880 through 1890 and again in 1910 through 1930. The city is nestled in a valley carved from the surrounding hills and bluffs by the Pine River. At the time Richland Center was platted in 1851, one of its founders, Ira Haseltine, described it as “a beautiful prairie with scattering shade trees, and the whole surrounded by noble groves of thrifty timber.” Richland County is located in the center of the Driftless Area of southwestern Wisconsin and was not covered by glaciers during the many ice ages. This forced the original commercial district and residential neighborhoods into a distinct, compact area making for an easy walk.
In 1987 the city of Richland Center organized an architectural and historical survey project. The purpose of the project was to identify individual historic properties that were potentially eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. As a result of the survey, the Court Street Commercial Historic District consisting of the ten-block central business district was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Court Street Commercial Historic District joined the Frank Lloyd Wright designed A.D. German Warehouse (NRHP 1974) and the Richland Center City Hall and Auditorium (NRHP 1980) on the list.
Much more information can be found at The Depot-Richland Museum and Visitor Center, 397 West Seminary Street.
its fine architectural heritage. Buildings dating from as early as the mid-1850s and 1860s still remain in the city. The greatest wealth and diversity shown in the city’s architecture dates from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries when Richland Center experienced rapid growth and prosperity as a result of the creation of the Pine River and Stevens Point Railroad in 1876. 
