Yanceyville in Caswell County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Old Caswell County Jail
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, July 5, 2025
1. Old Caswell County Jail Marker
Inscription.
Old Caswell County Jail. . The late 19th century, two-story building of Romanesque Revival design with rich, brick, corbel cornice treatment at the eaves has the original cell block built by "Stewart Jail Works Company" Cincinnati, Ohio. It served as the county jail until 1973. Graffiti left by inmates is found throughout the cells. The jail contains the only known indoor hanging cell in a North Carolina jail. The year after it was built, the NC Legislature banned punishment by hanging. Therefore no one was ever hung here. Because jailers' families lived here in the jailer's quarters, there are many local stories of playing jack rocks on the smooth concrete floor and other old-fashioned games. Of particular interest is the unusual hand-forged jail key, which may be seen in the Richmond-Miles History Museum where appointments may be made for visits.
The late 19th century, two-story building of Romanesque Revival design with rich, brick, corbel cornice treatment at the eaves has the original cell block built by "Stewart Jail Works Company" Cincinnati, Ohio. It served as the county jail until 1973. Graffiti left by inmates is found throughout the cells. The jail contains the only known indoor hanging cell in a North Carolina jail. The year after it was built, the NC Legislature banned punishment by hanging. Therefore no one was ever hung here. Because jailers' families lived here in the jailer's quarters, there are many local stories of playing jack rocks on the smooth concrete floor and other old-fashioned games. Of particular interest is the unusual hand-forged jail key, which may be seen in the Richmond-Miles History Museum where appointments may be made for visits.
Erected 2013 by Caswell County Historical Association.
Location. 36° 24.149′ N, 79° 20.197′ W. Marker is in Yanceyville, North Carolina, in Caswell
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County. It can be reached from Fire Department Drive south of Court Square, on the right when traveling south. The Marker is located at the Caswell Community Arboretum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 144 Court Square, Yanceyville NC 27379, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Piedmont. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 7, 2025, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. This page has been viewed 111 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 7, 2025, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
