Glen Rose in Somervell County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Old County Jail
Built in 1934, funded as a WPA government project during the Depression, as a replacement for the first county jail built in 1884, located on the same site. The first structure was one story tall with the cell cage setting on the ground inside.The new structure housed the sheriff and/or jailer plus his family on the lower floor; prisoners were upstairs. The jailer's wife cooked meals for the prisoners. A wood stove was tended by the prisoners. The original cell cage sets in the middle of the room with a run-around for exercise and for lesser felons.
A jail break occurred in the 1960's when prisoners cut the bars at night and covered the cut with wax shoe polish. On another night later, they pried the bars back with a stick of stove wood, soaped their bodies and slipped out the window to the ground. They were apprehended, though.
In the 1970's, the State of Texas condemned this building as a jail, forcing the county to build a new one. The county refurbished this building in 1991 for office space. The upstairs remains unchanged.
Erected by Somervell County Historical Commission
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Charity & Public Work • Law Enforcement. In addition, it is included in the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1934.
Location. 32° 14.067′ N, 97° 45.382′ W. Marker is in Glen Rose, Texas, in Somervell County. Marker is at the intersection of Cedar Street and Vernon Street, on the right when traveling west on Cedar Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 106 Vernon St, Glen Rose TX 76043, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Dinosaur Tracks (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Somervell County (about 300 feet away); Somervell County Veterans (about 300 feet away); Snyder Sanitarium (about 300 feet away); Somervell County Courthouse (about 300 feet away); First National Bank (about 300 feet away); Campbell Building (about 500 feet away); Barnard's Mill (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Glen Rose.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 28, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 97 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 28, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
