Details for Fort Griffin Civil Jail
Historical Marker — Atlas Number 5417001987
Data
Marker Number | 1987 |
Atlas Number | 5417001987 |
Marker Title | Fort Griffin Civil Jail |
Index Entry | Fort Griffin Civil Jail |
Address | N Ave C & Railroad St. |
City | Albany |
County | Shackelford |
UTM Zone | 14 |
UTM Easting | 471783 |
UTM Northing | 3621444 |
Subject Codes | forts; jails and prisons;; military topics |
Marker Year | 1974 |
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark | No |
Marker Location | City Park -N. Avenue C & Railroad Street -Albany |
Private Property | No |
Marker Condition | In Situ |
Marker Size | 18" x 28" |
Marker Text | This structure was the jail used in the town of Fort Griffin located 15 miles north of here, near the United States Army Post of Fort Griffin which defended the frontier from 1867 to 1881. During this period lawlessness was common in the town. Citizens built this thick-walled jail in 1878, although a conspicuous stone bears an earlier date. Gamblers, trail drivers, buffalo hunters, and skinners were frequently held here, as many as 18 at one time. Used as a cowshed after the 1880s the jail was moved here in 1954 by W. G. Webb and the county commissioners. (1974) |