Milam County Historical Commission
Milam County, Texas
Milam County, Texas
Milam County Jail of 1895
Milam County Museum & Annex
Milam County Museum & Annex
Milam County Jail Museum lawn
Fannin St. & Main St.
Cameron, TX 76520
Fannin St. & Main St.
Cameron, TX 76520
When the 1875 Milam County Jailhouse grew too crowded in the 1890s, it was removed to make room for larger facilities. In March 1895, the Milam County Commissioners awarded a contract to the Pauly Jail Building and Manufacturing Company of St. Louis, Missouri, for the construction of a larger prison. The company furnished all supplies, including St. Louis pressed bricks. County Judge Sam Streetman, who later served on the Texas Supreme Court, approved the contract, although he had preferred the use of local building materials. This structure, designed with Romanesque revival features and stone detailing above the windows, had three main floors and a "hanging tower" equipped with a trap door. The tower was never used for executions because most hangings took place outdoors. The first floor had ten rooms, three for storage and the remainder serving as a residence for the sheriff and his family. The second and third stories consisted of cell blocks for prisoners. In 1975 a new county jail was constructed, and the Commissioners Court turned this facility over to the Milam County Historical Commission. After renovation, it was opened as a museum in 1978.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1978
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1978
Erected 1978
Calaboose
May 16, 1892
A bid to build the Calaboose was accepted by the Cameron City Council from a company called Westmoreland & Mullinax for $262.50. Calaboose was to be accepted by Mayor A. J. Lewis and City Marshall R. L. Batte. Mayor Lewis later became Sheriff of Milam County.
The calaboose is 20 feet long, 10 feet wide, and 12 feet high. Thick wooden walls are formed by the placement of 2x4 inch timbers flat on top of each other. The floor is of similar construction. The 2x4s are placed edgewise forming a four inch wall. There is a door at each end and two windows, one on each side of the building in each cell. The windows have two sets of iron bars - a rounded set of 12 that is built into the facing. And a flat set of 9 attached on the inside. To keep out the rain and also to help keep prisoners in, wooden shutters were put on the outside. There are iron bars on each shutter which serve as a lock.
On July 3, 1956 an ordinance by Councilman Thompson was issued authorizing the renovation of the Calaboose for use by the city in the confinement of prisoners.
The Calaboose was moved to its present site in 1997, and restored in June of 1998.
May 16, 1892
A bid to build the Calaboose was accepted by the Cameron City Council from a company called Westmoreland & Mullinax for $262.50. Calaboose was to be accepted by Mayor A. J. Lewis and City Marshall R. L. Batte. Mayor Lewis later became Sheriff of Milam County.
The calaboose is 20 feet long, 10 feet wide, and 12 feet high. Thick wooden walls are formed by the placement of 2x4 inch timbers flat on top of each other. The floor is of similar construction. The 2x4s are placed edgewise forming a four inch wall. There is a door at each end and two windows, one on each side of the building in each cell. The windows have two sets of iron bars - a rounded set of 12 that is built into the facing. And a flat set of 9 attached on the inside. To keep out the rain and also to help keep prisoners in, wooden shutters were put on the outside. There are iron bars on each shutter which serve as a lock.
On July 3, 1956 an ordinance by Councilman Thompson was issued authorizing the renovation of the Calaboose for use by the city in the confinement of prisoners.
The Calaboose was moved to its present site in 1997, and restored in June of 1998.
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Museum Hours:
October, 2011 thru December, 2011
Museum Hours: Thuesday thru Saturday - 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Jail Museum Hours: Tuesday thru Thursday - 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
(unless requested for other times)
For more info contact Charles King at 254-697-8963
October, 2011 thru December, 2011
Museum Hours: Thuesday thru Saturday - 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Jail Museum Hours: Tuesday thru Thursday - 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
(unless requested for other times)
For more info contact Charles King at 254-697-8963