More
great architecture from small towns. Like the Caldwell
County Courthouse, this isn't the first building to
serve its purpose.
The
original building was just a log cabin built in 1855,
and served as the city jail. Just after the turn of
the century it was decided the city needed a larger,
more permanent, and more secure structure. A limestone
jail was built downtown. It was later bought and torn
down to make way for new businesses. That's when the
current building was erected nearby. It looks like
a red brick castle, and had nine lockups divided into
cells on the top three floors. The second floor was
for jail administration, and the ground floor is where
the County Sheriff lived. The basement was storage.
When a new, again larger, jail was built this one
was closed and eventually renovated and turned into
the Caldwell County Historical Museum.
Some
visitors say there is a great sense of sadness that
permeates the top three floors of the building. Those
who claim to be sensitive to psychic events say it
can be suffocating.
Thanks
to B. J. Benefiel for information on this building's
history.
