Jasper in Pickens County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Old Pickens County Jail

Photographed by David Tibbs, January 19, 2009

1. Old Pickens County Jail Marker

Inscription. This 1906 jail was built to replace the old rock jail that stood behind the courthouse. The rock jail had replaced the first county jail, a two-story log building. Dr. William B. Tate urged the construction of the jail as a grand juror and on two Citizens Committees. The architects were J.W. Coluke and Co.; contractors were William L. Landrum and son. The steel work was installed by the Pauly Jail Co. of St. Louis, Mo., specifically by Luthor Cartwright, who while here married and, eventually settled in Jasper. He later supervised construction of the pink marble mansion in Tate. The work on the front of the jail was done by Lee W. Prather, a local stone worker, using marble from the Delaware Quarry at nearby Marble Hill. The Delaware Quarry was opened c. 1840 by pioneer marble entrepreneur Henry Fitzsimmons.

The jail still has a gallows (non-functioning) although no one was ever executed on this device. The most regular residents of the jail were the sheriffs and their families, who lived here rent free. The jail was ordered closed by a federal court order in 1980. The well in the rear, now filled in, provided water for the hundreds of people who came to Jasper for singing conventions.

Erected 1986 by Georgia Historic Marker. (Marker Number 112-6.)

Topics and series. This historical

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marker is listed in these topic lists: Natural Resources • Notable Buildings • Notable Places. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1906.

Location. 34° 28.184′ N, 84° 25.871′ W. Marker is in Jasper, Georgia, in Pickens County. It is on N. Main St., on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 141 N Main St, Jasper GA 30143, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Mountains. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named The Old Pickens County Jail (a few steps from this marker); The Kirby-Quinton Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); Oglethorpe Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Pickens County (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old Federal Road (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Old Federal Road (approx. 1.7 miles away); Georgia Marble Company and the Village of Tate (approx. 4.6 miles away); Site of Carmel (Taloney) Mission Station (approx. 6.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jasper.

Another

Old Pickens County Jail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by David Tibbs, January 19, 2009

2. Old Pickens County Jail

marker is no longer nearby. Old Federal Road (was approx. 5.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Regarding Old Pickens County Jail. The old jail was placed in the National Register of Historic Buildings in 1982. It is closed for tours from December through Mid March.

Also see . . . The History of Pickens Jails. (Submitted on February 19, 2022, by Jan Murphy of Jasper, Georgia.)

Old Pickens County Jail and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by David Tibbs, January 19, 2009

3. Old Pickens County Jail and Marker

Old Pickens County Jail - Northwest Corner image. Click for full size.

Photographed by David Tibbs, January 19, 2009

4. Old Pickens County Jail - Northwest Corner

Old Pickens County Jail Well image. Click for full size.

Photographed by David Tibbs, January 19, 2009

5. Old Pickens County Jail Well

The pink marble well curb was originally from the Old Harmony School (year unknown). The well described in the marker is underneath this curb and has been filled in.

Old Pickens County Jail Architectural Detail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by David Tibbs, January 19, 2009

6. Old Pickens County Jail Architectural Detail

Credits. This page was last revised on February 21, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2009, by David Tibbs of Resaca, Georgia. This page has been viewed 2,391 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 19, 2009, by David Tibbs of Resaca, Georgia. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.