Marble Falls

This interesting concrete calaboose is owned by the city and located across from the Marble Falls Chamber of Commerce on 2nd Street. The date of its construction is not known but the method of using poured in place concrete began during the early part of the 20th century. The floor plan consists of two rooms or cells of approximately equal size that are separated by a concrete wall with an opening for a door that is no longer present.  This is one of the larger calabooses at 238 square feet. The main door is most unusual in that it was made with metal that bear the manufacturer’s names “Shunk – Bucyrus Ohio and Southern Plow Company of Columbus, Georgia.  Both companies fabricated plow parts but I have not been able to identify the pieces used for the doors as to their former function. There is a recessed wooden door behind the metal one that may be a replacement.

The walls on three sides extend above the roof to form a parapet. The front wall is higher and could be described as a false front or a stepped parapet adorned with coping along the top. The front cell has one window on each side wall while the rear cell windows on the side walls and one on the back wall.  The windows are narrow and are secured by eight metal bars embedded vertically in the concrete.  They measure 8 inches high by 32 inches wide. There is a chimney on the roof that suggests the presence of a heater or fireplace and two possible ceiling vents. Unfortunately, this building was locked at the time of my visit and I have not yet inquired about the condition of the interior. Electricity is a recent addition. It as been recorded at TARL as historic site 41BT516.

The view from the rear window shows the portal for the missing door, an electrical outlet, the wooden door that appears to be a recent addition, and shovels that have been placed in storage.

The placement and size of two of the windows are illustrated in this photo.

Detail of the door made with probable farm machinery parts.