Fredericksburg in Gillespie County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

County Jail of 1885

Photographed by Mansfieldphoto.com, August 17, 2025

1. County Jail of 1885 Marker

Inscription. This two-story stone structure served as the fourth jail for Gillespie County, organized in 1848. It was constructed by the firm of C.F. Priess and Bro. in 1885. The ground floor housed a holding area and living quarters for the jailer. The second floor had two steelclad cells located against the east wall and maximum security cells in the center and at the back. The building was used as a county jail facility until 1939.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1980

Erected 1980 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 10021.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1885.

Location. 30° 16.475′ N, 98° 52.465′ W. Marker is in Fredericksburg, Texas, in Gillespie County. It is on W. San Antonio Street west of S. Adams Street (Texas Highway 16), on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 117 W San Antonio St, Fredericksburg TX 78624, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Hill Country.

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 Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Meinhardt-Pfeil Home (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old Gillespie County Courthouse (about 400 feet away); Gillespie County Armed Services Memorial (about 500 feet away); Gillespie County

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(about 500 feet away); Market Square (Marktplatz) (about 700 feet away); Mosel-Jorden-Duecker Haus (about 700 feet away); In Memory of Otfrid Hans Freiherr von Meusebach (about 700 feet away); Early History Of Fredericksburg, Texas (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.

County Jail of 1885 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, March 26, 2016

2. County Jail of 1885

View to southwest across W. San Antonio St

Photographed by Duane Hall, March 26, 2016

3. County Jail of 1885 Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 5,098 times since then and 420 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 29, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 2, 3. submitted on April 28, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.