Palo Pinto County jail, Palo Pinto County Pioneer Museum, Texas. (original) (raw)

The former Palo Pinto County Jail.
Today the Palo Pinto County Pioneer Museum.
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, May 2005

One block south of the courthouse is the former county jail. The building, used as the county jail until 1941, is the cornerstone of the museum area where contributors and members have several historic structures and other relics of Palo Pinto's past. Noteworthy are the bell and a wonderful hitching post of stone and iron that is perfect in its utilitarian design. See Palo Pinto, Texas

Historical Marker Text

Old County Jail

Built to replace a log jail, this native sandstone structure was erected by contractors Martin, Byrne and Johnston of Comanche. J. C. McQuerry was sheriff when it was finished (1880). The first floor was used for county offices until a new courthouse was finished. It then housed the jailer's family, while the top floor held killers, cattle rustlers, rowdy cowboys, and other prisoners. A steel trap door was installed for hangings in 1907 but never used. Vacated in 1941, the building was acquired by the Palo Pinto County Historical Association in 1968 and restored as its headquarters and museum.
(1976)

Historical marker on the old Palo Pinto County jail.
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, May 2005

Palo Pinto County Courthouse, Jail & Museum
Photo courtesy Mike Lewis

Palo Pinto County Solitary Confinement Cell
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson

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