Douglas County Museum and Country School

The red brick building, which houses the Douglas County Museum, originally served as the offices of the County Auditor and Register of Deeds. It was built in 1902 because state law required county auditors and registrars to be located in fireproof buildings -- at the time, the main courthouse was a frame structure. The cost of construction was $3,625. After the present courthouse was built in 1927, the smaller structure was no longer needed and it was then used as an office for a local attorney and, later, as a storage facility. Since 1960, the Douglas County Historical Society has housed its growing collection of artifacts in the structure. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

Charles Crutchett, and early settler and druggist in Armour, was instrumental in setting up the museum. His early work has been continued and expanded by the Douglas County Historical Society. The museum was dedicated in Mr. Crutchett's name in 1974. The museum collections include clothing, household items, farm tools, office equipment, American Indian artifacts, military items, photographs and other memorabilia unique to the Douglas County area. Most items in the collection have a connection to area residents. Of interest outside the building are light poles, which were originally on Armour's Main Street, and the bell and keystone, which were from the 1908 Armour school building.

The Hockey-Helland School was originally located in western Douglas County. It was built in 1884 and served as a school almost continually until 1963. It was moved to its present location northwest of the museum in 1981. It still contains some of its original furnishings along with other school items. Each spring, all second graders in Douglas County are invited to attend "School Days" in the Country School. With the help and cooperation of the schools, second grade teachers in the county and former country school teachers, this project allows children to re-live the "good old days."

The Douglas County Museum and Country School are under the care and management of the Douglas County Historical Society. The maintenance and operation of the facilities are funded by Douglas County and private donations.

The Railroad House

The Railroad House was added to the Douglas County Museum Complex in 1988. This house, built in 1886 by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, is similar to those provided by the rail companies for Section Foremen and their families. The Milwaukee Section House #33 was originally located by the railroad tracks in what was to become Armour. It first housed workers constructing the railroad. It is not known who the first Section Foreman was; however, in 1921 Roy Brown was hired to fill that position and he and his family moved into this house where they continued to live throughout Roy's life and until his wife, Amelia, moved to the Pleasant View Nursing Home in Corsica in 1986. When the Milwaukee Road abandoned the rail through Armour in 1972, the Browns bought the house and were given life estate to the lot on which it stood. In 1986, Mrs. Brown and her family donated the house to the Douglas County Historical Society to be moved and used as a museum addition.

With funding from Douglas County, the historical society, private donations and hours and hours of volunteer labor, restortion was completed. Furnishings include items that were already owned by the museum, as well as items donated and loaned to complete decoration in the period of the early 1900s. The house is open during regular museum hours, or by appointment.