Old County Jail. First El Paso County Jail. On January 3, 1850, El Paso County was created by the Texas Legislature. San Elizario, the most prosporus and largest town in the area became the first County Seat. The building before you was chosen to house the first Jail. The Commissioners Court approved the purchase of two Prefabrication iron cells that were manufactures in Chicago. The cells are still in the building today., The front of the building may have formed part of the original Presidio wall. The jails was in service until the 1940s., According to Sheriff Pat Garrett and legend, this is the only jail Billy The Kid ever broke into. Billy was said to have broken his good friend Melquiades Segura out of the Jail in December of 1876. Billy The Kid convinced Sheriff Charles Kerber that he was a Texas Ranger with a prisoner and he opened the door in the darkness. Billy overtook the Sheriff , no shots were fired and they escaped with a quick ride into Mexico.
On January 3, 1850, El Paso County was created by the Texas Legislature. San Elizario, the most prosporus and largest town in the area became the first County Seat. The building before you was chosen to house the first Jail. The Commissioners Court approved the purchase of two Prefabrication iron cells that were manufactures in Chicago. The cells are still in the building today.
The front of the building may have formed part of the original Presidio wall. The jails was in service until the 1940s.
According to Sheriff Pat Garrett and legend, this is the only jail Billy The Kid ever broke into. Billy was said to have broken his good friend Melquiades Segura out of the Jail in December of 1876. Billy The Kid convinced Sheriff Charles Kerber that he was a Texas Ranger with a prisoner and he opened the door in the darkness. Billy overtook the Sheriff , no shots were fired and they escaped with a quick ride into Mexico. (Marker Number 6.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Law Enforcement. A significant historical date for this entry is January 3, 1850.
Location. 31° 35.157′ N, 106° 16.456′ W. Marker is in San Elizario, Texas, in El Paso County. Marker is on Main Street south of Glorietta Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1551 Main St, San Elizario TX 79849, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 14, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 284 times since then and 62 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on April 13, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
