Gilmer

The Sanborn map dated 1885 (Sheet 1) shows a small one-story brick jail in Gilmer, Texas. It was located on Harrison Street between 126 and 127 Harrison in block 61. It was still there in 1891 (Sheet 2) and 1896 (Sheet 2). The 1901 maps do not show this part of town. In 1907 (Sheet 2), it was referred to as the county Jail and a small one-story wooden building was next to it at 125 Harrison and labeled “cells.”   These two buildings were still in place in 1912 (Sheet 5).  There were no Sanborn maps prepared after 1912.

Gilmer 1885

Gilmer 1907

According to Blackburn (2006:331), the brick jail mentioned above was the town’s first permanent jail.  Until that time, the local calaboose was constantly in need of repairs and because of frequent escapes, each prisoner had to be restrained with leg irons that were applied and removed individually by the blacksmith.  In 1917, the brick jail was replaced by a two story brick building.