Photo: Cat Jennings Creative
Visits to the historic jail are easily arranged through the organized downtown tours that the Sonora Chamber features. The jail has a colorful past dating back to its founding in 1891. This stalwart facility, constructed of local limestone, has been home to murderers, thieves, gang members, and all manner of criminals. It also managed a second career, for a short while, as a makeshift hospital. Visiting the Sutton County Jail will take you back in time. A jailer’s residence was once located on the first floor in addition to four prisoner cells on the second floor. Although they featured the latest fixtures in terms of plumbing, the water pressure in this far west Hill Country town had room for improvement. For four years (from completion of construction through 1895), there wasn’t enough pressure to get water up to the second story!
Photo: Cat Jennings Creative
Small nuances in the details such as this, in addition to its wild west past and the lifetime of prisoner management, add up to spicy history and atmosphere for the Sutton County Jail. Sutton County Historical Society has worked diligently to ensure general maintenance and larger infrastructure projects have been completed and that the integrity of the building remains sound. At the heart of their history, this building sets a solid foundation, and they aim to keep it solid, just as sure as the aim of Sheriff Briant’s posse back in its glory days.
Veteran’s Day 2019 will see the opening of a new Veterans Exhibit in the Old Jail as well. Sonora proudly welcomes visitors to learn of its roots and enjoy its illustrious history in taming a bit of the “wild west.” If you find yourself within its walls as part of the Historic Downtown Tour, which begins at the Ice House Museum, you won’t walk away unenlightened or unentertained.
