Powell

Front View

Plaque Honoring J. R. Ritchie

Darryl Pearson visited Corsicana on 09-10-15, took these pictures. and obtained important information about its history.  This jail was built for and used in the Powell Oil Field circa 1923.  After the decline of the oil boom, J. R. Ritchie had the foresight to bring it to Corsicana for display and preservation.  The plaque pictured above commemorates this generous act.  The calaboose  is currently located at the Pioneer Museum at South 12th Street between Highway 22 and West 10th Street across the street from ALLCHEM PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS.  It is one of the better constructed wooden calabooses documented on this website.  It measures 12′ 6″ across the front and 6′ 6″ on the sides (83.16 square feet).  It stands 9′ tall.  This calaboose contains two cells side by side and this configuration conforms to Floor Plan 2a.  There are two very small windows in the doors that measure 5″ x 5″ and the windows in the back measure 12″ x 12″.  The original roof was tin.  The building was locked at the time of Mr. Pearson’s visit.  Therefore, interior pictures were not possible. This calaboose conforms to Floor Plan 2a (see Floor Plans).

Rear View

Detail of Door

Detail of Window

Detail of Bed

Frost

Front View

This jail is located behind a row of commercial buildings that face Garrity Street  in downtown Frost.  The entrance faces west in the direction of Allen Street. The sequence of construction is not known but it appears that the original building extended past the modern roof replacement.  A second building was apparently added on at a later date and either has a high ceiling or a parapet on the side visible in this image.  The adjacent rock building was totally separate from the jail.  It was locked at the time of my visit.  Therefore, I was not able to accurately describe the interior except that is being used for storage.  No measurements were taken.  The door front is made of strap iron.  Since it is recessed, there could have been a separate door in front of it. On the south side there is an area that has been covered with different brick that suggests the location of a former door.  The floor plan of this building has not been determined and its classification as a calaboose is uncertain at this time.

Corner View