Archbold in Fulton County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Community Jail

Photographed by Craig Doda, October 17, 2020

1. Community Jail Marker

Inscription. As populations increased and villages began to expand, the problem of what to do with law breakers, who needed to be incarcerated for short periods of time, arose. Built about 1865, this Edgerton, Ohio jail was a temporary holding facility for use until a prisoner stood trial or was transferred to the county jail. The jail continued in use until a new town hall, which contained a jail, was completed in 1885.

The construction technique used on this jail is a bit unusual. The walls are made of 2” by 4” boards cut from native oak. The boards are stacked flat and held together with 6” spikes which secure each board to the one below it. Each window is secured with hand-forged iron bars. Measuring twelve by fourteen feet, the jail had two holding cells.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Law Enforcement. A significant historical year for this entry is 1865.

Location. 41° 32.479′ N, 84° 17.899′ W. Marker is in Archbold, Ohio, in Fulton County. It is on Ohio Route 2, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Archbold OH 43502,

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United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Black Swamp

and in the Till Plains.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Bethany United Brethren Church Bell (within shouting distance of this marker); Log School (within shouting distance of this marker); Peter Stucky's Wagon Shop (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lauber Shelter (about 400 feet away); Covered Wagon (about 400 feet away); Woodcarvers Shop (about 500 feet away); This Log House (about 500 feet away); This Hungarian Migrant Worker's Wagon (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Archbold.

Photographed by Craig Doda, October 17, 2020

2. Community Jail Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 29, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 273 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 27, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.