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The Old Jail Museum
 The
San Jacinto County Jail, built across Loyd Avenue from the original courthouse
square in 1887 is a two story yellow pink brick building of Victorian influence.
The square (28' X 28') structure with socalled 'common' brickwork is punctuated
by several horizontal projecting courses and with masonry in high relief
at the corners suggesting square partial columns. The building presented
a handsome and solid symbol of law and order in a no-frills (and virtually
fireproof) public building. (The contract for the building was given
to John R. Johnson and Thomas Ireland. The building cost $1500 and
1/8 of 1% on taxable property was levied for the creation of the building.)
In 1911 the building was
expanded 26' to the south, giving it the current 54' by 28' dimensions.  The
construction methods, materials and most details inside and out were carried
out in this new addition increasing the number of cells upstairs and providing
living quarters for the jailer and his family, as well as an entry foyer.
Narrow and steep metal stairs lead to the cells on the second level.
The upper floor is concrete supported by concrete beams dividing the structure
into four equal bays with one concrete column in the center.
After the wooden courthouse
and several other buildings burned in March of 1915, it was determined
that the new courthouse be built at a different location about four blocks
to the south. The merchants soon discovered that people attending
business at the new courthouse no longer visited the original town square,
so within a short time all the businesses migrated to the new square.
By 1923, Coldspring was firmly entrenched in its new location. Except
for the jail, the old square, which had been the heart of early Coldspring
and San Jacinto County, was forgotten and neglected.
By 1980, the building was
deemed no longer within acceptable limits of jail standards, and was abandoned
for this function in favor of a modern facility at another location.
The San Jacinto County Historical Commission was granted a 100 year lease
on the property by the Commissioners.  Monies
were raised through grants, donations and fund raisers to undertake a reconstruction
and adaptive reuse of the old jail. These efforts were successful
and the old jail now serves the county and thousands of visitors each year
as the Old Jail Museum. The Old Jail Museum houses artifacts pertaining
to the history of the East Texas and San Jacinto County are. The
Old Jail Museum boasts both Texas Historical Commission and National Register
recognition. |
