Jourdanton in Atascosa County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Old Atascosa County Jail
Photographed By John A Hensarling, June 21, 2012
1. Old Atascosa County Jail Marker
County officials rented a small Jourdanton house for a jail in 1911 after the county seat was moved here from Pleasanton in 1910. A proposal to build a new jail with cells from the old Pleasanton structure was rejected and this reinforced-concrete, brick-clad building with new steel cells was authorized in 1915. This site was purchased that year from W.M. Abernethy (1851-1931), who had served as County Judge from 1901 to 1912. The architect of the 1912 Courthouse, Henry T. Phelps (1881-1945) of San Antonio, was chosen to supervise erection of the jail. The Southern Structural Steel Company of San Antonio was awarded the $20,000 construction contract. An electic blend of architectural elements was highlighted with crenelated towers and hood molds outlining the windows.
The first floor housed offices and living quarters for Sheriffs and their families, provided from 1916 to 1959. A gallows room was built on the second floor, though its trap door was never sprung for execution. Standard and specialized cells were partitioned on the second and third floors.
Additions were built in 1974, with bricks and detailing carefully
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Erected 1986 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3687.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1911.
Location. 28° 55.24′ N, 98° 32.81′ W. Marker is in Jourdanton, Texas, in Atascosa County. Marker is on Broadway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 711 Broadway, Jourdanton TX 78026, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. St. Matthew Catholic Parish (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Atascosa County Courthouse (about 500 feet away); Martin Abstract Company (about 500 feet away); Atascosa County (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Atascosa County Courthouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); Jourdanton United Methodist Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); First Baptist Church of Jourdanton (approx. 0.7 miles away); Mercy Hospital (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jourdanton.
Additional keywords. Jails; prisons
Photographed By John A Hensarling, June 21, 2012
2. Old Atascosa County Jail Marker
Photographed By Kayla Harper, May 16, 2021
3. Old Atascosa County Jail Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on May 28, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 20, 2012, by John A Hensarling of Campbellton, Texas. This page has been viewed 796 times since then and 77 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 21, 2012, by John A Hensarling of Campbellton, Texas. 3. submitted on May 28, 2021, by Kayla Harper of Dallas, Texas. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
