Newland in Avery County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Former Avery County Jail
1913-1972
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 24, 2023
1. Former Avery County Jail Marker
has been listed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Law Enforcement. A significant historical year for this entry is 1913.
Location. 36° 5.198′ N, 81° 55.564′ W. Marker is in Newland, North Carolina, in Avery County. Marker is at the intersection of Schultz Circle and Elk Street (North Carolina Road 1342), on the right when traveling east on Schultz Circle. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1829 Schultz Cir, Newland NC 28657, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Avery County Veterans Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Avery County Salute to Veterans (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Woman of War (approx. 2.7 miles away); The Bell Tower (approx. 4.3 miles away); The Weaving Room at Crossnore School (approx. 4.3 miles away); DAR Chapter House (approx. 4.4 miles away); Asa Gray (approx. 4.4 miles away); Andre Michaux (approx. 4˝ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newland.
Regarding Former Avery County Jail. Excerpts from the National register nomination:
The(former) Avery County Jail in Newland, the county seat of Avery, was built in 1913 and is closely associated with the founding of Avery County. With increasing numbers of settlers in Avery County in the early twentieth century, the need to establish a permanent center of government was recognized and Newland was selected as the site of the county seat. In 1912, the county officials began funding and building a courthouse and accompanying correctional facility. The county hired Wheeler & Runge, a prominent architectural firm based in Charlotte, to design the new courthouse and jail. Wheeler & Runge designed at least seven North Carolina courthouses, including the Avery County Courthouse (NR 1979), but the former Avery County Jail is the only surviving example of their jail designs and only one of eleven surviving historic jails in western North Carolina.
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… On May 23, 1913, the [county] “Commissioners met at a special meeting and examined the public buildings of said county to whit the courthouse and jail and accepted the same and paid R. C. Campbell in full for the said work.” The jail cost $7,350 to erect.
… Avery County government used the (former) Avery County Jail until 1972. Beginning in 1976 the Avery County Historical Museum occupied the building and continues to use it for exhibits and community gatherings.
Also see . . .
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 24, 2023
2. Former Avery County Jail Marker
The two-story portion is the original jail building; the one-story section was a 1960s addition. The Avery County Historical Museum has used the building since 1976.
1. Avery County Jail (former) (PDF). National Register nomination for the former jail, which was listed in 1999. (National Archives) (Submitted on July 25, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
2. Avery County Historical Museum. Home page of the museum, which now occupies the former jail building and contains exhibits, artifacts and records of North Carolina's 100th and final county and its people. (Submitted on July 25, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 9, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 25, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 68 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 25, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
