Archbold in Fulton County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Community Jail
Photographed By Craig Doda, October 17, 2020
1. Community Jail Marker
Inscription.
Community Jail. . 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.
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. Marker is on Ohio Route 2, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Archbold OH 43502, United States of America. Touch for directions.
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 117 times since then and 9 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.
