Highlands/Perkins in Baton Rouge in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)

Oak Ridge, Louisiana Jail

circa 1850

December 18, 2009

1. Oak Ridge, Louisiana Jail Marker

Inscription. The Oak Ridge Jail is believed to be the only surviving pre Civil War wooden jail in Louisiana. The parish sheriff used it to lock up any criminals, whether free or slave. It is of plank construction with no corner posts or framing materials. The walls, floors and ceiling are fabricated of three sets of heart pine, laminated together with thousands of nails. This construction technique created a four inch thick wall that could not be penetrated with an axe or hatchet. Chains and shackles were located on the walls of the two small cells.

Mrs. Emily Murphy of Oak Ridge, Louisiana donated the jail for the McEnery Family.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.

Location. 30° 24.662′ N, 91° 6.899′ W. Marker is in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in East Baton Rouge Parish. It is in Highlands/Perkins. It can be reached from Essen Lane near Interstate 10, on the right when traveling south. Located on the grounds of the LSU Rural Life Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4560 Essen Ln, Baton Rouge LA 70808, United States

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of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Louisiana’s Florida Parishes.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Great River Road Region.

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 territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

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 marker: Ship's Bell... (a few steps from this marker); Pioneer Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); Single-Pen Slave Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); Dog-Trot House (within shouting distance of this marker); Cane Grinder (within shouting distance of this marker); Blacksmith Shop (within shouting distance of this marker); 18th Century Style Sugar House (within shouting distance of this marker); Schoolhouse (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baton Rouge.

Oak Ridge, Louisiana Jail image. Click for full size.

December 18, 2009

2. Oak Ridge, Louisiana Jail

December 18, 2009

3. Oak Ridge, Louisiana Jail

December 18, 2009

4. Oak Ridge, Louisiana Jail

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 7, 2015. This page has been viewed 1,164 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 7, 2015. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.