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| The
old Ellis County jail was completed in 1888 and contained a rotary
cage system. It was used until a new jail was built in 1929. |
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Historical Marker:
At the corner of Rogers and Water St., Waxahachie
Old Ellis
County Jail
Due to overcrowding
in the existing jail facility, this structure was completed in 1888.
The Ellis County Commissioners Court awarded the contract to Pauly
Jail Building and Manufacturing Company of St. Louis, Missouri. A
round turret with conical roof dominates the design. Decorative brick
corbeling runs below the cornice.
The two-story brick and stone jail contained the Sheriff's family
residence on the first floor. There were twenty 4' X 8' cells which
accommodated two prisoners each. The solitary confinement and death
cells were in the basement. A rotary system, one of the few in the
United States, was installed to prevent escapes. A cylinder contained
a group of ten cells. The outer walls were stationary jail bars with
only one opening. The cylinder turned to provide access to the single
door.
The entire jail yard was enclosed by a fence of iron bars. Bloodhounds
were kept in the yard in the early days.
After a new county jail was constructed in 1929, this facility housed
the relief work commission during the depression. Afterward a variety
of commercial enterprises occupied the space.
1978 |
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Old Ellis County
Jail Historical marker
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, February 2006 |
The 1929 Ellis
County Jail in Waxahachie
TE photo,
2001 |
| 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. |
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