Rockdale
The first record of a calaboose in Rockdale is a small wooden structure on the Sanborn map dated 1885 (Sheet 1). It was in city block 7 at 123 Bell Street next to an alley. The block had not been divided into lots at the time. In 1891 (Sheet 2) there was a wooden calaboose in the same general area but it was either a different structure or it had been moved back from the street. In 1896 (Sheet 2) the calaboose had been moved again. By this time, the block had been divided into lots and it occupied lot 12. Across the alley was the city court in lot 16. In 1901 (Sheet 2) and 1906 (Sheet 2) it was in the same location. In an article in the Rockdale Reporter by Publisher John Esten Cooke dated June 16, 1911 the Rockdale City Council “okayed a plan to “build a new calaboose.” The exact date it was built is not known but the Sanborn map dated January 1912 (Sheet 4) depicts a one-story stone calaboose in the same location as the wooden one discussed above and this is probably the one authorized in 1911.
Rockdale 1885
Rockdale 1891
Rockdale 1896
Rockdale 1912
Cliff Sims is an 85-year-old resident of Rockdale and he graciously shared his knowledge of a local calaboose on Bell Street. He does not know when it was built but he recalls walking by it every day on his way to school, beginning in 1935 when he was seven years old. He believes that it was used until sometime in the 1940s. According to him, this structure was made of reinforced concrete. There were two cells placed side-by-side that were accessed by doors with metal bars. There were two small windows on the sides of the cells (also with metal bars), and he remembers locals stopping and visiting with the prisoners through these windows. The doors remained open on a regular basis unless one or more cells were occupied with prisoners. The calaboose lacked plumbing and electricity. He said that it was rarely used, and most prisoners were held there overnight until they could be transported to the county jail in Cameron, a distance of 16 miles. He also said that the walls were adorned with graffiti scratched into the walls by the prisoners. Since the last available Sanborn map for Rockdale was published in 1912 and the only jail depicted was made of stone, the one that Mr. Sims remembers was built sometime after that year.
Thorndale
I saw a reference to a calaboose in Thorndale that may be gone. Researching this.
I know of a calaboose in Thorndale, Milam County. It is made of concrete, has fixed, barred windows (with no glass or shutters) and a toilet which can be observed through one of the windows. It stands behind several commercial buildings on the Northwest corner at the intersection of FM 486 and U.S. Highway 79. It is easily accessible. I was told the history of it by a Thorndale native but that was 30 years ago and the memory fades. If I can get by there, I’ll take and send you a picture of it.
Ralph,
Thanks for your reply. I have been to the one in Thorndale. The city wants to own it and preserve it as a part of the history of their town. Unfortunately, the owner will not sell. I would love to go inside but so far no permission. Keep writing.
I grew up in Thorndale, My Grandaddy, E>G Stiles was county commissioner. I remember the calaboose but it had no toilet at that time and was behind the OLD Champion Newspaper Building, about where the Fire house is now. It was concrete, with iron bars and they lifted it up and put the person in it. it was too heavy for a single individual to lift. However it was on dirt and if you could dig through the Blackland soil there you could escape! There was also one out by the railroad tracks going to Thrall right by a signal post. This is also where the postmaster would put the mail in a bag and the Eagle train conductor would snag it with a pole when they came by @ 60 MPH. This was 1945 ish and later.
contact me at bvracrm@gmail.com or 979-820-1984 (call or text). I would love to hear your stories.