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Jackson County, Wisconsin

63 topographic sheets cover 35 settlements here, and 7 properties are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Research this county

From the record

7 National Register listings published here.

Sources: the National Register database, National Park Service

Wisconsin within the United States
Jackson County within Wisconsin

What the record shows

  • 434 topographic sheet readings cover the county's settlements.
  • 7 properties here are on the National Register of Historic Places: 5 buildings, 1 site and 1 district.
  • 1 of the 7 listings was added during the 1970s.
  • The Geographic Names Information System records 35 populated places in this county; 35 are covered by at least one topographic sheet.

Places on the National Register

7

Every property in this county listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with the year it was listed and the federal nomination document.

Photograph PropertyType ListedReference
Black Hawk Powwow Groundssite200707000244
Black River Falls Commercial Historic Districtdistrict2021100006789
Black River Falls Public Librarybuilding200707001330
Franklin E. and Eva E. Keefe Housebuilding2023100008607
Millston Union Churchbuilding2022100008109
Spring Creek Schoolbuilding2024100010817
Union High Schoolbuilding197878000103

Wildfire, 1992 to 2020

840 fires

Every wildfire the federal occurrence database records inside this county: 840 of them, burning about 1,576 acres. 19 started naturally and 71 were recorded as arson. Each settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it.

Reported cause Fires
Debris and open burning201
Missing data/not specified/undetermined182
Equipment and vehicle use177
Arson/incendiarism71
Recreation and ceremony49
Railroad operations and maintenance43
Other causes24
Smoking22
Misuse of fire by a minor22
Natural19
Power generation/transmission/distribution19
Fireworks11

The five largest, by the area the report gives. None of them was recorded as arson.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
21 April 2007Recreation and ceremony159 acresWisconsin Department of Natural ResourcesJEAN FIRE
1 April 1994Equipment and vehicle use74 acresWisconsin Department of Natural Resourcesnot named
23 April 1993Equipment and vehicle use65 acresWisconsin Department of Natural Resourcesnot named
5 April 2000Railroad operations and maintenance62 acresWisconsin Department of Natural Resourcesnot named
24 May 2000Equipment and vehicle use60 acresWisconsin Department of Natural Resourcesnot named
20 May 2009Missing data/not specified/undetermined48 acresNecedah National Wildlife RefugeBELL MOUND
19 April 2001Debris and open burning39 acresWisconsin Department of Natural Resourcesnot named
24 April 2003Debris and open burning38 acresWisconsin Department of Natural Resourcesnot named

Every settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it - see the settlement index below.

Storms, 1954 to 2026

60 of 415 shown

The NOAA Storm Events Database holds 415 reports for this county, causing 1 death, 13 injuries and about $12,263,050 in recorded property damage. Each settlement page carries the reports that name it.

Kind of event Reports
Thunderstorm Wind173
Hail122
Flood63
Tornado19
Heavy Rain16
Flash Flood13
Lightning6
Funnel Cloud3

The most serious of them, by death, then injury, then recorded damage. The accounts are quoted exactly as the forecast office filed them.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
August 1996Thunderstorm WindTaylor1 killed, 4 hurt, $80,000no account filed
September 2015Flash FloodRequa4 hurt, $400,000Flood waters from Schoolhouse Creek caused U.S. Highways 10 and 12 to be closed in the extreme northern part of Jackson County east of Price. Numerous other roads were washed out with general flooding across the northern sections of the county covering much of the Townships of Cleveland and Garfield. Two accidents occurred when the drivers attempted to drive their vehicles over water covered roads that had been washed out. Three residents were stranded when flood waters overtook a dead end road in the Town of Cleveland. There were no reports of damage to private property with the damage limited to roads.
July 1966Tornado (F2)not stated3 hurt, $25,000no account filed
May 1964Tornado (F2)not stated2 hurt, $250,000no account filed
September 2010FloodNorth Bend$2,600,000Numerous roads were closed throughout the county due to heavy rains and flooding along rivers, streams, and creeks. Most bridges on township roads were over-topped with water. At one time, 56 roads were closed throughout the county. State Highway 95 was closed in several locations. Other specific road closures included Old Highway 95 and County Roads S, X, and VV. Lowland flooding occurred across much of the county, while many roads, trails, and campgrounds in the Black River State Forest were closed. Pigeon Creek was flooded and the Pigeon Falls Dam incurred some damage. Parks around Merrillan were all flooded, and the baseball field in Hixton was completely underwater. A person was rescued from a stranded vehicle on County Road VV, while assistance was given to a family evacuating in Irving Township. In Melrose, 8 structures and 4 homes were damaged due to flooding from the Black River. Throughout the county, 13 homes incurred major damage and 29 homes had minor damage. Although rain fell from the evening of the 22nd through much of the day on the 23rd, the majority of the rain had fallen as of 10 a.m. CST on the 23rd. At that point 5.30 inches had been measured in Merrillan.
June 1969Tornado (F2)not stated$2,500,000no account filed
September 2016FloodVaudreuil$825,000Runoff from heavy rain pushed the Black River out of its banks in Black River Falls. The river crested over thirteen feet above the flood stage at 60.3 feet, which was the 3rd highest crest on record at the time. The hydroelectric dam lost a gate when a large tree traveled through it. Several boats and docks that broke away on Lake Arbutus also traveled through the dam.
April 1994Thunderstorm WindMelrose$500,000no account filed
September 2010FloodVaudreuil$350,000Locally heavy rains pushed the Black River at Black River Falls out of its banks from September 23rd to the 27th. The river exceeded the flood stage by over fourteen feet, cresting at 61.46 feet. This crest established a new flood of record. Ironically the dam at Black River Falls was being reconstructed during this event and was not in place during the peak. An early damage estimate of $600,000 was lowered to $110,000 at the dam by the utility and local contractor. From the evening of the 23rd to the afternoon of the 24th, 80 homes in the city of Black River Falls were evacuated.
April 2026HailMillston$325,000The public reported tennis ball sized hail in Millston. The report was relayed via social media.
July 2017Flash FloodTaylor$303,000After heavy rains of 4 to 6 inches, flash flooding occurred across the southwest sections of Jackson County. French Creek went out of its banks sending water over County Road X southeast of Taylor. The townships of Springfield, Franklin and North Bend were hit the hardest with several roads either washed out or damaged from the flooding. Two homes sustained minor damage during the flooding.
August 2010FloodRequa$297,300Various roads were closed across parts of Jackson county and sustained damage from flooding. The flooding also caused damage to some parks and utility systems.
September 1994Tornado (F1)Melrose$250,000no account filed
July 1982Tornado (F1)not stated$250,000no account filed
May 1959Tornado (F3)not stated$250,000no account filed
June 1954Tornado (F2)not stated$250,000no account filed
August 2012LightningWinnebago Mission$210,000A log home was completely destroyed by a fire that was started by a lightning strike. Fire crews were first called to the area around 330 a.m. but found no evidence of a fire and left. They returned to the scene around 5 a.m. to find the home completely engulfed in flames. Three fire departments battled the fire for over 4 hours. Local officials estimated the value of the home and contents at just over $200,000.
June 2000Flash FloodSouthwest Portion$116,000no account filed
May 2017FloodRequa$110,000At least 18 roads were closed across the northwest part of Jackson County as the result of flooding from heavy rains. Hixton Levis Road east of Northfield and Moore Road northwest of Alma Center were completely washed out.
June 2020HailPray$105,000Up to golf ball sized hail fell near Pray.
May 1996Thunderstorm WindTaylor$100,000no account filed
June 1998Thunderstorm WindNorth Bend$85,000no account filed
June 2014LightningVaudreuil$82,000An elderly lady died from smoke inhalation after a lightning strike started her house on fire in Black River Falls. At least three other nearby homes also suffered some electrical damage.
July 2024Thunderstorm WindHixton$75,000Law enforcement reported trees and power lines down in the Hixton area.
December 2021Thunderstorm WindSchlerville$75,000A semi loaded with 30,000 pounds of perishable goods was blown over on Interstate 94. The driver sustained minor injuries.
August 2006HailMillston$75,000no account filed
June 2004Tornado (F1)Taylor$75,000no account filed
June 1998Flash FloodHatfield$70,000no account filed
May 2012LightningBuckholz Corners$60,000Lightning struck and caught a house on fire northwest of Melrose. The house was totally destroyed by the fire.
September 2016FloodNorth Bend$58,000Runoff from heavy rains caused several streams to go out of their banks across Jackson County. County Highway VV in North Bend, County Highway Z in City Point and several other township roads were closed because of the flooding.
August 2009Flash FloodSheppard$50,000Law Enforcement officials reported several washed out county roads in the northern half of Jackson County and vehicles submerged in the city of Black River Falls. Several cooperative observers reported over six inches of rain in the northern portions of Jackson County.
April 2008FloodPray$50,000no account filed
August 2006HailMerrillan$50,000no account filed
August 2006HailBlack River Falls$50,000no account filed
August 2006HailMillston$50,000no account filed
October 2006HailNorthfield$50,000no account filed
July 2023Thunderstorm WindMillston$45,000Public reported multiple fallen and uprooted trees near Millston.
December 2021Tornado (EF1)Levis$45,000This EF1 tornado developed in northeast Trempealeau County before moving into Jackson County near County Highway G southwest of Levis. The tornado continued to move northeast and dissipated along County Highway FF before reaching Interstate 94. Damage was primarily to trees with a couple of farm outbuildings also damaged.
June 1998Thunderstorm WindMelrose$40,000no account filed
April 2026Tornado (EF1)Requa$37,000This tornado continued from northeast Trempealeau County where it crossed Interstate 94, moving northeast into far northwest Jackson County where it caused roof damage to two residences and damaged a significant number of trees.
May 2008Thunderstorm WindPray$36,000A few pine trees were blown down in a campground near Highway 54, but more extensive damage was reported at a cranberry farm where one building was blown down and many nearby trees were broken or sheared off. There may have been a brief gustnado. Cranberry vines were extensively damaged as well.
December 2021Thunderstorm WindMelrose$35,000The attached garage was blown off a house northwest of Melrose and several trees were blown down.
July 2017Flash FloodFranklin$35,000Runoff from locally heavy rains washed out a culvert on Franklin Road south of Taylor. Beaver Creek went out of its banks and covered Beck Road.
June 1998Thunderstorm WindMelrose$32,000no account filed
August 2018Thunderstorm WindPrice$30,000Trees were blown down in the Town of Cleveland. Some of the downed trees landed on vehicles.
May 2016LightningVaudreuil$30,000A house was damaged by a fire started from a lightning strike. Lightning hit propane tanks outside of the house, which started the gas on fire. The house fire started where the gas lines entered the home.
July 1997Thunderstorm WindHixton$30,000no account filed
June 2007Thunderstorm WindShamrock$25,000Trees were blown along Thunder Cloud Road.
August 2006HailBlack River Falls$25,000no account filed
June 2000Thunderstorm WindHatfield$25,000no account filed
September 1997HailMillston$25,000no account filed
October 1962Tornado (F1)not stated$25,000no account filed
May 1959Tornado (F2)not stated$25,000no account filed
September 2015LightningVaudreuil$20,000Lightning hit a rural Black River Falls home striking the house's TV antenna and then traveling into the house. A hole was blown into an interior wall of a second floor bedroom where a mattress and box springs caught on fire. A wall stud was blown apart causing a hole in an exterior wall and numerous outlets and light switches throughout the house had their covers blown off or charred.
August 2006HailMillston$20,000no account filed
October 2006HailAlma Center$20,000no account filed
April 2026HailPrice$17,000The public reported golf ball sized hail 2 miles east of Price.
April 2026HailPrice$15,000A trained spotter reported golf ball sized hail roughly 2 miles south-southeast of Price.
May 2024Thunderstorm WindNorth Branch$15,000The public reported a barn destroyed 2 miles west of Alma Center.
August 2019HailPrice$15,000Golf ball sized hail fell across the far northern sections of Jackson County east of Price.

Mines and quarries

13 recorded

The Survey's mineral resources record lists 13 workings inside this county. 7 still produce and 6 are closed or unrecorded. Each settlement page carries the workings within five miles of it.

Commodity Workings
Sand and Gravel, Construction7
Iron5
Silica1
Water, Free1

The least common of them first, because a county's hundredth gravel pit says nothing its first ten did not.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
Black River FallsIron, Water, FreePast Producer1839, 1969
Taylor PitSilicaProducer
Black River FallsIronPast Producer1969, 1982
Black River Falls Pellet PlantIronPlant
Tilden Mound DepositIronPast Producer1839, 1856, 1892
Tilden Mound DepositIronPast Producer1839, 1856
Airport PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Arnt Pit and MillSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Harris PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Jackson County OperationsSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Pierce PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Potter PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Smith Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer

Every populated place in the county

35

Named settlements recorded in the Geographic Names Information System, each with the topographic sheets covering it. Villages, hamlets and abandoned places alike. Each is shown with the nearest named watercourse or landform and the survey quadrangle it falls on.

The vanished settlements of Jackson County: the places named above that are no longer on the map.

Provenance

  • Topographic sheets. USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection, county index, measured from the bulk metadata.
  • Fire insurance maps. Library of Congress Sanborn collection, faceted to this county.
  • Photographs. Each place queried individually against the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs search.
  • Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
  • Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
  • Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.