Palo Pinto in Palo Pinto County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Old County Jail

Photographed by James Hulse, September 8, 2021

1. Old County Jail Marker

Inscription. Built to replace a log jail, this native sandstone structure was erected by contractors Martin, Byrne & Johnston of Comanche. J.C. McQuerry was sheriff when it was finished (1880). The first floor was used for county offices until a new courthouse was finished. It then housed the jailer's family, while the top floor held killers, cattle rustlers, rowdy cowboys and other prisoners. A steel trap door was installed for hangings in 1907 but never used. Vacated in 1941, the building was acquired by the Palo Pinto County Historical Association in 1968 and restored as its headquarters and museum.

Erected 1976 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3716.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Law Enforcement. A significant historical year for this entry is 1907.

Location. 32° 45.962′ N, 98° 17.917′ W. Marker is in Palo Pinto, Texas, in Palo Pinto County. It is at the intersection of South 5th Avenue and Elm Street, on the left when traveling south on South 5th Avenue. The marker is located in front of the Old Jail House on the Museum property. While the marker is visible to see from the road, you need to access the Museum and property when it is open. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 231 South 5th Avenue, Palo Pinto TX 76484, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region.

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 Comanchería,

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: First Baptist Church of Palo Pinto (about 400 feet away, measured

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in a direct line); Palo Pinto Methodist Church (about 400 feet away); Jonathan Hamilton Baker (about 500 feet away); Courthouses of Palo Pinto County (about 500 feet away); John Richard Winters (about 500 feet away); Palo Pinto County War Memorial (about 600 feet away); First Christian Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Palo Pinto Cemetery (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Palo Pinto.

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

Photographed by James Hulse, September 8, 2021

2. The Old County Jail and Marker

Trap door from below image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Wesley Harris, June 9, 2022

3. Trap door from below

No hangings occurred in the jail.

Trap door for hangings image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Wesley Harris, June 9, 2022

4. Trap door for hangings

No hangings occurred in the jail.

The Old County Jail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 8, 2021

5. The Old County Jail

Credits. This page was last revised on April 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 16, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 382 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 16, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 3, 4. submitted on April 27, 2023, by Wesley Harris of Ruston, Louisiana. 5. submitted on September 16, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.