Sonora in Tuolumne County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Tuolumne County Jail

1857 – 1960

Photographed By Syd Whittle, June 13, 2010

1. Tuolumne County Jail Marker

Inscription. Following a Grand Jury indictment terming the current county jail a “public nuisance,” this site was acquired by the Board of Supervisors and a new jail constructed in 1857. The original building burned on December 20, 1865, taking the life of inmate Tom Horn who had started the fire in his cell.

Using some salvaged material from the prior jail, the present structure was completed in 1866. Quarters for the jailer were added to the front at a later date, and the jail served the County of Tuolumne until 1960 when the county justice building on the adjacent lot to the north was erected and this building dedicated as the County Museum.

Erected 1973 by Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors and the Tuolumne County Historical Society. (Marker Number 3.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Notable Buildings. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1827.

Location. 37° 59.022′ N, 120° 23.131′ W. Marker is in Sonora, California, in Tuolumne County. Marker can be reached from West Bradford Avenue west of Lower Sunset Drive, on the right when traveling west. Marker is mounted on the front Tuolumne County Museum and History Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 158 W Bradford Ave, Sonora CA 95370, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least

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8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Jedediah Strong Smith (a few steps from this marker); Tuolumne County Courthouse (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Tuolumne County Albert N. Francisco Building (about 700 feet away); Site of the First Office of The Union Democrat (about 800 feet away); Veterans Memorial Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Home of Wells Fargo & Company in Sonora (approx. 0.2 miles away); Original Site of the Sonora Daily (approx. 0.2 miles away); Site of the Sonora Plaza Well (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sonora.

Also see . . . Tuolumne County Jail. Tom Horn, a miner from nearby Columbia, who on December 20 of 1865, raised a little too much havoc in the local saloons was locked up for the night. He set a fire in his cell that resulted in the destruction of the jail and his cremation. [Not the famous outlaw Tom Horn] (Submitted on June 27, 2010.)

Front of Building Displaying Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, June 13, 2010

2. Front of Building Displaying Markers

This marker is the far left marker seen next to the window. The Donald Inch Segerstrom Memorial Plaque is to the left of the door and the National Register of Historic Places plaque is to the right of the door.

Jail Cell Windows image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, June 13, 2010

3. Jail Cell Windows

View of building and jail cell windows seen from Lower Sunset Drive.

Tuolumne County Museum and History Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, June 13, 2010

4. Tuolumne County Museum and History Center

Donald Inch Segerstrom image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, June 13, 2010

5. Donald Inch Segerstrom

1919-1973. Editor, historian, and miner. He brought light to the past and warmth to the present. This marker is placed as a memorial this 17th day of November 1973, Matuca Chapter E Clampus Vitus

National Register of Historic Places image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, June 13, 2010

6. National Register of Historic Places

Credits. This page was last revised on December 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 16, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,204 times since then and 78 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 16, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.