Jasper in Pickens County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Old Pickens County Jail

By David Tibbs, January 19, 2009

1. Old Pickens County Jail Marker

Inscription. This 1906 jail was built to replace the old rock jail that stood behind the courthouse. The rock jail had replaced the first county jail, a two-story log building. Dr. William B. Tate urged the construction of the jail as a grand juror and on two Citizens Committees. The architects were J.W. Coluke and Co.; contractors were William L. Landrum and son. The steel work was installed by the Pauly Jail Co. of St. Louis, Mo., specifically by Luthor Cartwright, who while here married and, eventually settled in Jasper. He later supervised construction of the pink marble mansion in Tate. The work on the front of the jail was done by Lee W. Prather, a local stone worker, using marble from the Delaware Quarry at nearby Marble Hill. The Delaware Quarry was opened c. 1840 by pioneer marble entrepreneur Henry Fitzsimmons.

The jail still has a gallows (non-functioning) although no one was ever executed on this device. The most regular residents of the jail were the sheriffs and their families, who lived here rent free. The jail was ordered closed by a federal court order in 1980. The well in the rear, now filled in, provided water for the hundreds of people who came to Jasper for singing conventions.

Erected 1986 by Georgia Historic Marker. (Marker Number 112-6.)

Marker series.

Old Pickens County Jail image. Click for full size.

By David Tibbs, January 19, 2009

2. Old Pickens County Jail

This marker is included in the Georgia Historical Society/Commission marker series.

Location. 34° 28.184′ N, 84° 25.871′ W. Marker is in Jasper, Georgia, in Pickens County. Marker is on N. Main St., on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 141 N. Main St., Jasper GA 30143, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Oglethorpe Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Pickens County (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old Federal Road (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Old Federal Road (approx. 1.7 miles away); Georgia Marble Company and the Village of Tate (approx. 4.6 miles away); a different marker also named Old Federal Road (approx. 5.4 miles away but has been reported missing); Site of Carmel (Taloney) Mission Station (approx. 6.3 miles away); a different marker also named Old Federal Road (approx. 6.3 miles away but has been reported missing). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jasper.

Regarding Old Pickens County Jail. The old jail was placed in the National Register of Historic Buildings in 1982. It is closed for tours from December through Mid March.

Also see . . .
1. Marble Valley Historical Society

Old Pickens County Jail and Marker image. Click for full size.

By David Tibbs, January 19, 2009

3. Old Pickens County Jail and Marker

. Learn more about the Old Jail and Pickens County history. (Submitted on January 19, 2009, by David Tibbs of Resaca, Georgia.)

2. Vanishing Georgia: Photograph including Old Pickens County Jail. Photograph of Street scene in Jasper, ca. 1915. Photograph is a street scene of three buildings - the first is E.J Prather's general store; the second is the home of Oscar Champion; and the third is the county jail.
Site is Vanishing Georgia, hosted by the Georgia Division of Archives and History, Office of Secretary of State. (Submitted on February 20, 2009, by David Tibbs of Resaca, Georgia.)

Categories. • Natural Resources • Notable Buildings • Notable Places •

Old Pickens County Jail - Northwest Corner image. Click for full size.

By David Tibbs, January 19, 2009

4. Old Pickens County Jail - Northwest Corner

Old Pickens County Jail Well image. Click for full size.

By David Tibbs, January 19, 2009

5. Old Pickens County Jail Well

The pink marble well curb was originally from the Old Harmony School (year unknown). The well described in the marker is underneath this curb and has been filled in.

Old Pickens County Jail Architectural Detail image. Click for full size.

By David Tibbs, January 19, 2009

6. Old Pickens County Jail Architectural Detail

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on January 19, 2009, by David Tibbs of Resaca, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,440 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 19, 2009, by David Tibbs of Resaca, Georgia. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.