Sutton in Braxton County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Braxton County Jail

Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 7, 2025

1. Braxton County Jail Marker

Inscription.
Circa 1881

Listed on
National Register of
Historic Places

Erected by Georgetta Knight & Lera (Moyers) Bailey.

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

Location. 38° 39.848′ N, 80° 42.509′ W. Marker is in Sutton, West Virginia, in Braxton County. It is on Main Street just east of 3rd Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located on the west side of the Braxton County Courthouse (constructed in 1881, one of the earliest courthouses remaining in the state). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 Main Street, Sutton WV 26601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Central West Virginia.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in 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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other

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markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: World War 1917–18 Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Revolutionary War Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Brigadier General James Kemp McLaughlin (within shouting distance of this marker); Suttonville (within shouting distance of this marker); How Did Braxton County Get Its Name? (within shouting distance of this marker); Burning of Sutton (approx. 0.4 miles away); Fighting and Flames (approx. 0.4 miles away); Geographic Center (approx. 3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sutton.

Other markers no longer nearby. The War and Suttonville (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Burning of Suttonville (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Regarding Braxton County Jail. Part of the Sutton Downtown Historic District, the Braxton County Jail (according to the National Register Nomination Form and other sources), was constructed in 1905. The District is significant for its contribution to the settlement

Braxton County Jail and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, August 7, 2025

2. Braxton County Jail and Marker

The marker is located on the front door.

of the interior counties of Western Virginia (West Virginia) and Braxton County in particular. It is also significant as the government center for Braxton County and its role in the formation of the State of West Virginia. It is significant as the transportation axis through the center of West Virginia, particularly the north-south route, and its role in the Civil War in this region of the country. The Sutton Downtown Historic District was added to list of National Register of Historic Places on July 10, 1987, reference No. 87001059.

The Braxton County Jail is a two story small Romanesque Style structure built of rusticated ashlar stone. The main facade has a projecting bay with an arched entrance with a segmented fanlight and sidelights. The second floor has three arched windows while each corner of the building has a corbeled turrel with battlements.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 12, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 108 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 12, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.