San Elizario in El Paso County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Old County Jail

Photographed by William F Haenn, May 30, 2015

1. Old County Jail Marker

Inscription. This structure was built about 1850 of adobe bricks (sundried mud and reeds) and cottonwood logs around steel cell blocks. It served as official county jail 1850-66 and 1868-73, when San Elizario was the first and then third El Paso County seat. It housed both jail (“carcel” in Spanish) and courtroom (“juzgado”). According to legend, William Bonney, famed outlaw Billy the Kid, freed the only man ever to escape from this jail, his cohort Melquiades Segura.

Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1970

Erected 1970 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3715.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Hispanic Americans • Law Enforcement • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the San Antonio-El Paso Road series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.

Location. 31° 35.152′ N, 106° 16.462′ W. Marker is in San Elizario, Texas, in El Paso County. It is at the intersection of Main Street and Alarcon Road, on the left when traveling east on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1551 Main

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Street, San Elizario TX 79849, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Texas’ Trans-Pecos & Big Bend Region.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Old County Jail (a few steps from this marker); Los Portales (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Salt War (about 400 feet away); San Elizario (about 400 feet away); The First Thanksgiving (about 500 feet away); The Camino Real (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Salt War (about 500 feet away); Rodriguez-Chamuscado Expedition - 1581 (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Elizario.

Old County Jail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William F Haenn, May 30, 2015

2. Old County Jail

Credits. This page was last revised on June 5, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2015, by William F Haenn of Fort Clark (Brackettville), Texas. This page has been viewed 782 times since then and 19 times this year. Last updated on June 5, 2018, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 2, 2015, by William F Haenn of Fort Clark (Brackettville), Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.