Historic District in St. Augustine in St. Johns County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Jail on Wheels

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, April 26, 2019

1. Jail on Wheels Marker

Inscription.

Jail on Wheels. . , In 1877, the governor of Florida instituted a convict leasing program to make money for the state. The program required road crews to be moved and housed. Mule pulled jail wagons provided both secure, though miserable, housing and transport., The Manly Portable Convict Car , The Car That Has Made Possible the Economical, Safe and Humane Housing of Convicts at Night on Public Road Work.. , . Portability 4 to 6 mules pulling the Cages anywhere, on almost any kind of roads, keeping camp close to the work and losing no time in going to and from stockade. , . Absolute Security The Cage not only will pay for itself in a year in the saving of guard hire, but the cost and demoralizing effect of occasional escapes is eliminated. , . Perfect Sanitation The open sides in the summer and the even circulation of heat and forced ventilation in the winter, make the Cage absolutely sanitary the year round. , . Increased Efficiency of the prisoners who, under the very best of conditions, are physically able at all times to do their very best work. , . Comfort to Prisoners who are treated as human beings in clean, sanitary, well ventilated and convenient quarters, cool in summer, warm in winter and always comfortable. , . Comparatively Low Cost On the score of economy the all steel cage is by far the best solution of the convict problem. It will outlast a dozen tents, is quickly moved from place to place, and is especially suited to counties working one, two or three gangs of men, where it is necessary to keep camp near the work., "After a thorough investigation of the Steel Convict Cages built by the Manly Jail Works, of Dalton, Ga., we find they fill all requirements as to ventilation, sanitation and security, and give all necessary space for sleeping men in cars." (Signed) The Prison Commission of Georgia., A Convict Cage that has received the unqualified official endorsement of State and County Prison Boards all over the South., The health, efficiency and economy of your Convict Camp largely depends on the camp equipment you buy. In the MANLY Cage you get one piece of equipment that has proven itself to be a practical and demonstrated success in over 200 of the best arranged and most economically managed camps in the Southern States., Manly Jail Works , Jail Building and General Prison Work , Dalton, Georgia.

In 1877, the governor of Florida instituted a convict leasing program to make money for the state. The program required road crews to be moved and housed. Mule pulled jail wagons provided both secure, though miserable, housing and transport.

The Manly Portable Convict Car
The Car That Has Made Possible the Economical, Safe and Humane Housing of Convicts at Night on Public Road Work.
• Portability 4 to 6 mules pulling the Cages anywhere, on almost any kind of roads, keeping camp close to the work and losing no time in going to and from stockade.
• Absolute Security The Cage not only will pay for itself in a year in the saving of guard hire, but the cost and demoralizing effect of occasional escapes is eliminated.
• Perfect Sanitation The open sides in the summer and the even circulation of heat and forced ventilation in the winter, make the Cage absolutely sanitary the year round.
• Increased Efficiency of the prisoners who, under the very best of conditions, are physically able at all times to do their very best work.
• Comfort to Prisoners who are treated as human beings in clean, sanitary, well ventilated and convenient quarters, cool in summer, warm in winter and always comfortable.
• Comparatively Low Cost On the score

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

of economy the all steel cage is by far the best solution of the convict problem. It will outlast a dozen tents, is quickly moved from place to place, and is especially suited to counties working one, two or three gangs of men, where it is necessary to keep camp near the work.

"After a thorough investigation of the Steel Convict Cages built by the Manly Jail Works, of Dalton, Ga., we find they fill all requirements as to ventilation, sanitation and security, and give all necessary space for sleeping men in cars." (Signed) The Prison Commission of Georgia.

A Convict Cage that has received the unqualified official endorsement of State and County Prison Boards all over the South.

The health, efficiency and economy of your Convict Camp largely depends on the camp equipment you buy. In the MANLY Cage you get one piece of equipment that has proven itself to be a practical and demonstrated success in over 200 of the best arranged and most economically managed camps in the Southern States.

Manly Jail Works
Jail Building and General Prison Work
Dalton, Georgia

Erected by Historic Tours of America.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Law Enforcement • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1877.

Location.

Marker detail: Manley Portable Convict Car image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: Manley Portable Convict Car

29° 54.501′ N, 81° 19.182′ W. Marker is in St. Augustine, Florida, in St. Johns County. It is in the Historic District. Marker is on San Marco Avenue (Florida Highway A1A) (Business U.S. 1) north of Missouri Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Marker and subject convict car are located beside the sidewalk, near the west end of the St. Augustine History Museum parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 167 San Marco Avenue, Saint Augustine FL 32084, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Slaves No More (a few steps from this marker); Henry Flagler's "Winter Newport" (a few steps from this marker); Chain Gangs (a few steps from this marker); On With The Show (a few steps from this marker); Viva Cuba! (a few steps from this marker); Up in Smoke (a few steps from this marker); Arriving in Style (within shouting distance of this marker); Walk to Freedom (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Augustine.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. The Manly Portable Convict Cage

Additional keywords. slave labor, human trafficking

Marker detail: Manly Portable Convict Car Illustration image. Click for full size.

3. Marker detail: Manly Portable Convict Car Illustration

Grating on one side left off to show inside arrangement of bunks, heater, toilet and vent flue.

Any one familiar with the old style convict car with the cumbersome heating arrangement underneath will recognize the decided improvement of the "utility corridor" construction, as shown above, in which the heat and toilet is conveniently placed in a cross corridor inside the car. There are no exposed pipes, flues or heater boxes to be rusting out and blowing down and the inside heater is 50% more efficient on less fuel than with the under-heat type in which much of the heat was lost by outside radiation and never got inside the car at all. The partitions around the heater are lined with double thickness asbestos cloth between corrugated metal plates so that they get no warmer than any other part of car. Hooks are provided around this cross corridor for hanging up and drying out clothes at night. The ventilating flue in front end comes down to within 4” of the floor and serves the purpose of drawing the cooler air near the floor out through the roof creating a free circulation of fresh warm air in the coldest weather.

Jail on Wheels Marker (<i>wide view from sidewalk • convict car in background</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, April 26, 2019

4. Jail on Wheels Marker (wide view from sidewalk • convict car in background)

The Manly Portable Convict Car (<i>interior view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, April 26, 2019

5. The Manly Portable Convict Car (interior view)

The Manly Portable Convict Car (<i>side view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, April 26, 2019

6. The Manly Portable Convict Car (side view)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 16, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 27, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 950 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 29, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.