Waxahachie in Ellis County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Old Ellis County Jail
Photographed By Larry D. Moore, August 17, 2018
1. Old Ellis County Jail Marker
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'X8' 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.
Erected
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Law Enforcement. A significant historical year for this entry is 1888.
Location. 32° 23.199′ N, 96° 50.849′ W. Marker is in Waxahachie, Texas, in Ellis County. Marker is at the intersection of North Rogers Street and Water Street, on the right when traveling north on North Rogers Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 N Rogers St, Waxahachie TX 75165, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 106 West Main Street (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Calaboose (about 300 feet away); Wyatt Real Estate Office (about 300 feet away); The History of Ellis County/Waxahachie (about 300 feet away); Ellis County Courthouse (about 400 feet away); Rogers Hotel (about 400 feet away); Ellis County Confederate War Memorial (about 400 feet away); Richard Ellis (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Waxahachie.
Regarding Old Ellis County Jail. The Old Ellis County Jail is a contributing structure to the Ellis County Courthouse Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places for the United States of America reference number 75001971.
Photographed By Larry D. Moore, August 17, 2018
2. Old Ellis County Jail and Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 20, 2018. It was originally submitted on August 19, 2018, by Larry D. Moore of Del Valle, Texas. This page has been viewed 364 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 19, 2018, by Larry D. Moore of Del Valle, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
