Decatur in Wise County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Old Stone Prison

Photographed By Jeff Leichsenring, April 10, 2023

1. Old Stone Prison Marker

Inscription. First stone house in Decatur. Erected by prison labor about 1859. Main house was residence of sheriff or deputy. Basement was used as jail. Meals were sent down a dumb-waiter located outside the east end of the house.

County sold property in 1888 to A.H. Whitehead. Used as city water works until 1938. Kept as private residence until 1967 when purchased by Wise County Historical Society as museum. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark-1968

Erected 1968 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 3821.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Man-Made Features • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1859.

Location. 33° 13.999′ N, 97° 35.148′ W. Marker is in Decatur, Texas, in Wise County. Marker is at the intersection of East Pecan Street and South Market Street, on the left when traveling east on East Pecan Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 E Pecan St, Decatur TX 76234, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Wise County Messenger (within shouting distance of this marker); Depression-Era Projects in Wise County (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Decatur First United Methodist Church (about

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300 feet away); Chisholm Trail (about 400 feet away); Wise County War Memorial (about 500 feet away); Wise County C.S.A. (about 500 feet away); Charles Vernon Terrell (about 500 feet away); Randolph Vesey (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Decatur.

The Old Stone Prison and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James R. Murray

2. The Old Stone Prison and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 11, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 20, 2017, by James R. Murray of Elkton, Florida. This page has been viewed 556 times since then and 77 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 11, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. 2. submitted on September 20, 2017, by James R. Murray of Elkton, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.