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Clayton co. Jail historical info.

WILLIAMS, GARBER, DAVIS, CHASE, JACOBS, HYSHAM, SANDUSKY

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 4/8/2014 at 18:53:30

Source: Clayton County Register, Clayton County Centennial Edition, July 1936. Page 14.

The first Clayton Co. jail was a log affair at Guttenberg, Iowa, built about 1845. When the county seat was moved to Garnavillo the jail was located there. In 1869 when it was considered that the county seat would remain permanently at Elkader Judge E. H. Williams, Judge John Garber, and County Sheriff James Davis were appointed a committee to select a suitable site for a new jail at Elkader. They selected a plot of 17 acres at the head of main street, which was purchased for $100. an acre. James Davis, John Garber and D. W. Chase were appointed as the building committee and work commenced immediately, the foundation being completed by the close of 1869. E. W. H. Jacobs was the architect. The work was pushed rapidly in 1870 with J. A. Hysham as superintendent of workmen and J. H. Sandusky as head mason. The entire cost of the jail, including the site, was $24,679.58.

The building is divided into two parts, the jail proper and the residence of the keeper. The front building, designed for the jailer's residence, is 32 1/2 by 42 1/2 feet, two stories high, with eight rooms. The jail part is 28 X 48 exterior and 24 X 44 1/2 interior, and 16 feet high in the clear. The cells are located on one side, two stories high, six in each story.


 

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