Sheriff’s Office History on Display at Washington County Historic Courthouse

A display of artifacts at the Washington County Historic Courthouse tells the story of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, established in 1850, with the election of Jesse Taylor as the first sheriff of the newly formed Washington County, Minnesota Territory. 

It's the oldest sheriff’s office in the state.

In an effort to chronicle this history before he retired, Commander Patrick Olson spent five years researching the history of the office and two years building exhibit cases and frames for an exhibit that is now on display at the Washington County Historic Courthouse in Stillwater. 

Using photographs, artifacts, newspaper and personal accounts, the exhibit features information on the people who have worked in the department over the years, photographs, various pieces of equipment, uniforms, badges and more to help illustrate the history of this important law-enforcement agency.  

When asked why he committed so much time and energy to this project, Olson said: "It needed to be done, and no one else was doing it.”

While retired Sgt. David Karwoski had compiled an historical account of the first 30 years of the Sheriff’s Office, Olson felt it was important to gather and chronicle the remaining information, artifacts and photos before he left the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. 

Olson worked with Brent Peterson of the Washington County Historical Society and Historic Courthouse staff to assemble and consolidate the information and artifacts for the public to see and to save them for future generations.   

“Sheriffs offices are rich in history,” said Washington County Sheriff William Hutton. “The culmination of photos and artifacts collected by Commander Olson (retired) is an outstanding representation of the great service to the citizens of Washington County during its 162 years.”

Olson will be giving a presentation on the exhibit and the Sheriff’s Office history at the "History in Your Backyard" event at the Historic Courthouse Sunday, April 15, from noon to 3 p.m. 

This free family event features representatives from various historic organizations and sites in Washington County and the surrounding area, old-fashioned games for children, tours of the old county jail, refreshments and more.

The Washington County Historic Courthouse is at 101 W. Pine St. in Stillwater and the  exhibit is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon.

Visitors may also tour the old county jail and courtroom in the courthouse.

For more information on the exhibit or the "History in Your Backyard" event, call 651-275-7075, e-mail historiccourthouse@co.washington.mn.us or visit www.co.washington.mn.us/hc. 

The exhibit is free and is handicapped accessible.