Old Hardin

Cells purchased in 1870

This metal cage was shipped to Sour Lake by E. T. Barnum Wire & Iron Works of Detroit.  The cost was less than $300 and was  placed in the first Hardin County jail at Old Hardin in 1870.  The cage is divided by a steel plate into two cells and measures 7 feet by 10 feet (70 square feet) and 7 feet tall.  Each cell was equipped with two metal bunks and soil buckets.

Sour Lake

Hardin County Jail at Sour Lake

When a new courthouse and jail were built at Kountze in 1888, these cells were abandoned.  In 1903, they were moved to Sour Lake to be used as the Hardin County sub jail until 1965.

William (Billy) Bryant was the Hardin County Deputy.  He served the Sour Lake area from 1920 to 1964.  In 1965, the county sold the cells to a Mrs. Meyning.  They were sold several more times before ending up in the possession of a Mr. Williams, owner of Williams Wrecker Service in Pearland who had put them in a pasture and used them for storage.  Ken and Vickie Pelt purchased them and donated them to the grounds of the Alma Carpenter Library where they stand today.

I am grateful to Sherry Williams of the Alma M. Carpenter Library in Sour Lake for sharing this information.  This cage is located in a building behind the library and is available for viewing on weekends or by appointment.