Benson in Cochise County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Benson Jail

1938 - 2006

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, October 17, 2011

1. Benson Jail Marker

Inscription. These doors and windows were used to build a jail on the Northwest corner of Huachuca & 5th Street during April – May 1938. Needing jail material, Benson obtained approval to remove cell doors & windows from the no longer used jail in Courtland, AZ. Using these items the new jail was completed at a cost of $1,800.00. The walls were made of large rocks, metal rebar and concrete 12" thick. During the late 1940's Benson obtained approval to visit the old jail in Gleeson and removed additional cell doors and windows to add to the 1938 Benson jail.
As of 2009 these doors and windows from Courtland and Gleeson are 100 years old. The jail took 24 days to build and 2.5 hours to knock down in 2006.

Erected by Donated by City of Benson 2006.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical date for this entry is May 26, 1938.

Location. 31° 58.032′ N, 110° 17.697′ W. Marker is in Benson, Arizona, in Cochise County. Marker is on the grounds of the Benson Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 180 South San Pedro Street, Benson AZ 85602, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 3 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Benson Pioneer Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mormon Battalion

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(approx. 0.7 miles away); a different marker also named Mormon Battalion (approx. 6 miles away).

Benson Jail and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, October 17, 2011

2. Benson Jail and Marker

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, October 17, 2011

3. Benson Jail and Marker

Courtland Jail image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sandie Kirchner, 1999

4. Courtland Jail

The Courtland Jail is virtually identical to Gleeson's.

Gleeson Jail image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sandie Kirchner, 1999

5. Gleeson Jail

Today, Gleeson's principle attraction is the Jail, built in 1909.

Northwest Corner of Huachuca & 5th Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, October 17, 2011

6. Northwest Corner of Huachuca & 5th Street

Location of the Benson Jail which was knocked down in 2006.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2011, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,691 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 19, 2011, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.