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The old Kinney County
jail is across from the courthouse
on South Ann Street. A plaque placed on the building by the Kinney County Historical
Commission relays the following information: KINNEY
COUNTY JAILKinney
County's first jail, a small square simple stone structure built by James Cornell
in 1873 and torn down in 1922, stood across Ann Street on the courthouse
grounds, where the flagpole now stands. This second county jail was accepted by
the commissioner's court on January 20, 1885 and was at the time the finest stone
building ever constructed in Kinney County. The gothic revival style building
was designed by the architectural firm of Wahrenberger and Beckmann of San Antonio
and built in 1884 of ashlared limestone blocks by John Waite at a cost of $16,000.
The jail was remodeled in 1936-37 including removal of the second story due to
structural damage from a series of disastrous storms. This durable building served
as the county jail for 91 years, until 1976, when it was replaced by the law enforcement
complex on North Street. Subsequent uses of the building include a dental clinic
and the county nutrition center. Texas is very proud of its jails and Kinney County
is no exception.
- Terry
Jeanson, January, 2009 |
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The plaque includes this picture of the old county jail in its original condition.
Photo courtesy Terry
Jeanson, January 2009 | |
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