The National Register of Historic Places is the official national list of historic properties in America worthy of preservation and is maintained by the National Park Service in the U.S. Department of the Interior. The State Register of Historic Places is Wisconsin's official listing of state properties determined to be significant to Wisconsin's heritage and is maintained by the Division of Historic Preservation at the Wisconsin Historical Society. Both listings include sites, buildings, structures, objects and districts that are significant in national, state or local history, architecture, archeology, engineering and culture. An historic district consists of contiguous properties that contribute to the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction.

Several individual properties as well as five districts comprising hundreds of properties are listed in both the State Register and the National Register in Stoughton. Stoughton's districts include the East Side Historic District, Southwest Side Historic District, Northwest Side Historic District, East Park Historic District and the Main Street Historic District. Another proposed district, Depot Hill Historic District, has been formally determined eligible for listing in the State Register and National Register. It officially meets the requirements of the Register, but was not formally listed due to owner objections.

"Listing" in the State Register or National Register gives honorary recognition to properties that retain their historic character and aids in understanding local, state, or federal history. Listing also provides tangible benefits to private property owners and helps assist them in preserving their properties. Publicly owned properties receive special protection and assistance. For more information on the State Register or National Register, visit the Wisconsin Historical Society web site at https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/

Locally Designated Landmarks (see Local Landmarks) are properties that have been recognized by the Commission for their historic and/or architectural significance and receive special protection and assistance. At the present time the Commission has designated 32 individual locally designated landmark properties in Stoughton. Most of these are also listed in the State Register and National Register, either individually, or as part of a district. There are no locally designated landmark districts in Stoughton at this time. For more information, contact Michael Stacey at 608-646-0421 or mstacey@ci.stoughton.wi.us. Also see Map of Historic Districts.