|
One
block from the Caldwell
County Courthouse is the former Caldwell County Jail, an interesting
architectural piece. Now serving as the county's Museum, its hours
make it very friendly to weekend visitors: Saturdays and Sundays 1-5.
|
Historical Marker:
Caldwell
County Jail
Organized in
1848, Caldwell County lost its original log jail in an 1858 fire,
then kept prisoners in the Courthouse
basement until 1873, when outlaws' activities called for a strong
stone prison. In 1908 Caldwell countains voted 725 to 311 for a
$25,000.00 bond issue to erect this castellated brick structure.
The jailer's quarters occupy the ground floor, over a storage area
in the basement. The upper floors contain fifteen cells of concrete
and steel, with one cell rising from the center of the building.
Gallows are said to have been removed from this jail in the 1930s.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1977
|
Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and vintage or recent photos, please contact
us. |
|
|