Fairfield in Freestone County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

1881 Freestone County Jail

Photographed by Linda Mullen, October 5, 2024

1. 1881 Freestone County Jail Marker

Inscription. This building, which served as the third county jail was built in 1881 on the site of the 1857 jail. Physical and archival evidence suggests that this two-story jail and its associated water well were built with brick from locally fired clay, recycled from the earlier jail exterior walls are 18 inches thick. The original design incorporated two prison cells and housing for the jailer. From 1914-66, the building housed a multi-family residence. Area citizens bought the property in 1966 to house a county historical museum. From 2012-21, the jail was restored to its 1880s appearance. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1967

Erected 1967 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 24138.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Law Enforcement. A significant historical year for this entry is 1881.

Location. 31° 43.589′ N, 96° 9.476′ W. Marker is in Fairfield, Texas, in Freestone County. It is at the intersection of East Main Street and Hall Street, on the right when traveling west on East Main Street. The marker is located on the wall to the right of he entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 302 E Main St, Fairfield TX 75840, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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

It is also in the American South.

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 Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this

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marker: Butler Church Bell (a few steps from this marker); Potter-Watson Log Cabin (a few steps from this marker); Carter Log House (a few steps from this marker); Site of Law Office General John Gregg (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Val Verde Battery (about 700 feet away); Captain L.D. Bradley (about 700 feet away); Freestone County (about 800 feet away); The Fridolin (Fred) Fischer Home (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fairfield.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Old Freestone Jail (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

More about this marker. The Old Freestone Jail marker was replaced with a new one featuring a corrected title and text, which was installed on October 5, 2024. During the restoration process, the museum discovered that the original marker was incorrect and submitted a request to the THC to have a corrected marker placed on the old jail building.

The view of the restored 1881 Freestone County Jail and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Linda Mullen, October 5, 2024

2. The view of the restored 1881 Freestone County Jail and Marker

Freestone County Jail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jim Evans, July 4, 2015

3. Freestone County Jail

Credits. This page was last revised on June 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 21, 2025, by Linda Mullen of Fairfield, Texas. This page has been viewed 271 times since then and 23 times this year. Last updated on June 3, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. Photos: 1. submitted on February 21, 2025, by Linda Mullen of Fairfield, Texas. 2. submitted on February 22, 2025, by Linda Mullen of Fairfield, Texas. 3. submitted on February 21, 2025, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.