Sevierville in Sevier County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Historic Jail Bars

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 23, 2021

1. Historic Jail Bars Marker

Inscription. On March 31, 1856, Sheriff Lemuel Duggan accidentally started a fire that destroyed the courthouse and adjacent jail, 41 houses, most businesses, and valuable county records. A 13-year-old inmate perished. Witnesses never forgot the dying screams of the young man. Afterwards, the jail bars were salvaged for various projects during the rebuilding of the town. Eventually, some of these were crafted into grates to cover storm drains. This is one of the two that remain.
— Carroll McMahan, Sevier County Historian

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Law Enforcement. A significant historical date for this entry is March 31, 1856.

Location. 35° 52.02′ N, 83° 33.888′ W. Marker is in Sevierville, Tennessee, in Sevier County. It is on Bruce Street east of Court Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 133 Bruce St, Sevierville TN 37862, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee

and in the Great Smoky Mountains.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

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and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in 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 Confederate States of America,

the State of Franklin,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Sevierville (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Sevierville (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Sevierville (within shouting distance of this marker); Dwight and Kate Wade House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Sevierville (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Sevierville (about 300 feet away); Sevier County Veterans (about 300 feet away); Dr. Massey's Bird Dog (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sevierville.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 23, 2021

2. Historic Jail Bars Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 25, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 25, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,194 times since then and 70 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 25, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photograph of the storm drain grate. • Can you help?