Sidney in Shelby County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Old Jail

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 7, 2010

1. The Old Jail Marker

Inscription.
The old jail, actually the county's fourth, was completed in 1875 at a cost of $38,600. The Victorian Italianate design made it a distinctive structure. The front facade is composed of 2,000 pound limestone blocks. The jail housed inmates and also served as the residence for the sheriff and his family. Controversial jail escapes occurred here in 1920, 1922, 1923 and 1930. Don Purkepyle shot and killed his wife inside the jail in 1895.

The jail was closed after a new facility was completed on Gearhart Road in 1994.

Erected 2008 by Sidney County Historical Society, Sidney Visitors Bureau and Sprint.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Government & Politics • Man-Made Features • Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1875.

Location. 40° 17.055′ N, 84° 9.291′ W. Marker is in Sidney, Ohio, in Shelby County. Marker is at the intersection of Court Street and Main Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Court Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 203 E Court Street, Sidney OH 45365, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Burkhart Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Shelby County World War I - World War II Memorial

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(within shouting distance of this marker); US Bank (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Shelby County Courthouse (about 300 feet away); Theodore Roosevelt / William Howard Taft (about 400 feet away); General Isaac Shelby (about 400 feet away); Sidney and Shelby County Millenium Monument (about 400 feet away); Shelby County Korean Conflict / Vietnam War Memorial (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sidney.

The Old Jail and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 7, 2010

2. The Old Jail and Marker

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 7, 2010

3. The Old Jail and Marker

The Old Jail image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 7, 2010

4. The Old Jail

Looking south.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 17, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 12, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,192 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 12, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.