"The State prison was located in Waupun in July, 1851, by Messrs. John Bullen, John Taylor and A. W. Worth, who were appointed commissioners to determine such location under a law enacted that year. A contract was at once entered into for the construction of a temporary prison; in 1853 the contract was let for the mason work upon the south wing of the prison; and additions have been made from time to time since that date.

From March 28, 1853, to January 4, 1874, the office of the Prison Commissioner was an elective office, the commissioner having full control of the management of the Prison.

From January 3, 1874, to June 1, 1881, the management was in the hands of three directors appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate. In place of a commissioner, the directors appointed a warden, who had charge and custody of the prison, to serve three years.

In June, 1881, the management of the prison was placed in the hands of the State Board, who have continued the control and custody as established by the directors.

The warden, steward and treasurer are appointed by the State Board of Control annually. All other officers are appointed by the board from time to time as vacancies occur, upon the nomination of the warden.

The convict labor was leased to M. D. Wells & Co., of Chicago, for the manufacture of boots and shoes, for five years from January 1, 1878, and the contract was renewed with that firm for five years, beginning with January 1, 1883, at the rate of fifty cents per day of ten hours. Upon the expiration of the contract at the close of the year 1887, the contractors, by consent of the Board of Control, for a further period of five years.

Manufacture on the part of the state was therefore discontinued on January 1, 1878. The prisoners� earnings for biennial period ending September 30, 1900, were $101,640.96.

The grounds about the buildings embrace 24 acres, and a farm of 112 acres about a mile distant, was added in 1885. The buildings comprise the center, 85x90 feet, occupied for offices, warden�s apartments, dining and lodging rooms for officers, kitchens, bakery, etc. The two wings, 50x200 feet each, contain 504 cells, the deputy warden�s residence and female prison with thirty-six cells, a work-shop 54x500 feet, two stories high, bath houses, blacksmith and carpenter shop, barn, etc.

The total amount paid from the State Treasury for real estate, buildings, improvements, repairs and current expenses up to October 1, 1900, was $1,995,144.08.

The whole number of prisoners received since the opening of the prison is 8,080. The number of confinement September 30, 1900, as 496 --- 483 males and 13 females. The average number of prisoners during the last year was 532, as against 591 the preceding year, and the current expenses were (not including prisoners� earnings) $86,951.98, as against $92,504.49.

The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin. Complied and published under the direction of Wm. H. Froehlich, Secretary of State. 1901. page 520

• Wisconsin State Prisoners Discharged from Oct. 1, 1869 to Oct. 1, 1870
• Life Members in Prison as of Oct. 1, 1870.
• Wisconsin State Prison Record of Receipts Oct. 1, 1869 to Oct. 1, 1870.
• Newspaper Clippings that reference the State Prison at Waupun
• Historical Fragments: The State Hospital For The Insane And The War

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