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The old Kinney
County jail is across from the courthouse
on South Ann Street. A plaque placed on the building by the Kinney
County Historical Commission relays the following information:
KINNEY COUNTY
JAIL
Kinney
County's first jail, a small square simple
stone structure built by James Cornell in 1873 and torn down in 1922,
stood across Ann Street on the courthouse
grounds, where the flagpole now stands. This second county jail was
accepted by the commissioner's court on January 20, 1885 and was at
the time the finest stone building ever constructed in Kinney
County. The gothic revival style building was designed by the
architectural firm of Wahrenberger and Beckmann of San
Antonio and built in 1884 of ashlared limestone blocks by John
Waite at a cost of $16,000.
The jail was remodeled in 1936-37 including removal of the second
story due to structural damage from a series of disastrous storms.
This durable building served as the county jail for 91 years, until
1976, when it was replaced by the law enforcement complex on North
Street.
Subsequent uses of the building include a dental clinic and the county
nutrition center. Texas is very proud of its jails and Kinney
County is no exception.
- Terry
Jeanson, January, 2009 |
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The
plaque includes this picture of the old county jail in its original
condition.
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, January 2009 |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
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