Lancaster in Lancaster County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Jail / Robert Mills

Lancaster County

— Built 1823. —

The Jail side of marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Ronald Patton, April 25, 2023

1. The Jail side of marker

Inscription.
(front)
The Jail
This is the "gaol" that Willis W. Alsobrook contracted to build for Lancaster District "…agreeable to the plans and specifications signed by Robert Mills…." In 1868 Lancaster District became Lancaster County and this structure became the Lancaster County Jail.

(reverse)
Robert Mills
Robert Mills of Charleston, South Carolina, Civil and Military Engineer of his state, was America's first native born, professionally-trained architect. He is best known as the designer of the Washington Monument.

Erected 1958 by Waxhaws Chapter-Daughters of the American Revolution. (Marker Number 29-5.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the National Historic Landmarks series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1823.

Location. 34° 43.097′ N, 80° 46.312′ W. Marker is in Lancaster, South Carolina, in Lancaster County. Marker is on West Gay Street east of South French Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 208 W Gay St, Lancaster SC 29720, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker

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. Leroy Springs House (within shouting distance of this marker); Lancasterville Presbyterian Church (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lancaster County Law Enforcement Officers Memorial (about 500 feet away); Franklin Academy / Oldest Continuous Public School Site in Lancaster County (about 600 feet away); The Springs Block (about 700 feet away); Lancaster (about 700 feet away); Thomas H Davis (about 700 feet away); Lancaster County Confederate Monument (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lancaster.

Also see . . . Lancaster County Jail. The 1823 Lancaster County Jail is a significant example of Robert Mills architecture and reflects his innovative ideas on the proper construction of penal institutions. The jail is a stuccoed brick building of three stories with Palladian style stone quions and stringcourses. It features a gable roof, iron grates, first floor windows and doors within recessed arches, and gable parapets with coping and a raised center section (Submitted on October 30, 2009, by Michael Sean Nix of Spartanburg, South Carolina.)

Robert Mills side of marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Ronald Patton, May 22, 2023

2. Robert Mills side of marker

The Lancaster County Jail and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Ronald Patton, September 20, 2023

3. The Lancaster County Jail and Marker

The Old Jail, with stucco removed, restored to original condition.

Photographed By Michael Sean Nix, October 28, 2009

4. The Lancaster County Jail and Marker

This photo shows the building before the stucco was removed.

The Jail / Robert Mills Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Ronald Patton, October 18, 2023

5. The Jail / Robert Mills Marker

Photographed By Ronald Patton, September 20, 2023

6. The Jail / Robert Mills Marker

The Old Jail with stucco removed, restored to original condition.

The Old Jail image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Ronald Patton, September 20, 2023

7. The Old Jail

The Old Jail with stucco removed, restored to original condition

National Historical Landmark image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott, March 21, 2016

8. National Historical Landmark

Credits. This page was last revised on October 19, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 30, 2009, by Michael Sean Nix of Spartanburg, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,087 times since then and 27 times this year. Last updated on September 9, 2023, by Ronald Patton of Lancaster, South Carolina. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 4, 2023, by Ronald Patton of Lancaster, South Carolina. 3. submitted on September 20, 2023, by Ronald Patton of Lancaster, South Carolina. 4. submitted on October 30, 2009, by Michael Sean Nix of Spartanburg, South Carolina. 5. submitted on October 19, 2023, by Ronald Patton of Lancaster, South Carolina. 6, 7. submitted on September 20, 2023, by Ronald Patton of Lancaster, South Carolina. 8. submitted on June 5, 2016, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.