San Marcos
This wooden calaboose is currently located on the grounds of the San Marcos Baptist Academy in San Marcos, Texas awaiting a permanent home where it can be preserved for future generations to enjoy. The age of this structure is not known but a spokesperson for the Hays County Historical Commission said that it used to be on the courthouse square prior to the construction of a formal county jail in 1885. Later, it was moved to Kyle, Texas where it was used until sometime in the 1930s before being returned to San Marcos. The dimensions are sixteen feet and two inches across the front and eight feet and one inch on each side (138.8 square feet). The height from the bottom to the top of the walls is seven feet and six inches, and the distance from the bottom to the top of the peaked roof is eight feet and ten inches. The jail is divided into two cells of equal size (69.4 square feet) and the doors measure two feet and seven inches by five feet and nine inches. At the time of my visit, only one door was completely visible and there was a small opening (six inches square) that was probably used to pass food and other items to the prisoners. There is one small window on the back wall of each cell that measures ten inches by twelve inches. They are secured by a frame of round metal bars that consists of three vertical bars and one horizontal bar. The method of construction consists of 2 x 4 inch boards placed flat on top of one another to form a more secure wall. The only Sanborn maps for Kyle were published in 1896, 1902, 1907, and 1912 but this calaboose was not found. Sanborn maps were published in 1885, 1891, 1896, 1902, 1906, 1912, 1922 for San Marcos but this calaboose was not depicted on them either. A site number at TARL will not be assigned until it has a permanent home. This structure conforms to Floor Plan 2a (see Floor Plans).
Window Detail
Inside View of Door