Old Jail Museum – Gonzales, Texas

Posted on: Apr 1, 2014        In: Out and About        With: No comments

One of the most unusual museums we have ever visited was the Old Jail Museum in Gonzales, Texas.  This jail was built in 1887, and it was used until 1975 – unbelievable.

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The Chamber of Commerce and the Gonzales Visitor Center are located on the ground floor of the Old Jail Museum.  We went to the Visitor Center for information, and found the Old Jail Museum.   I can’t really say I enjoyed visiting the Old Jail Museum, but it certainly was interesting.

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Walking into this Old Jail was like stepping back in time.  Honestly, it was like a movie set, and I could not believe it was in use until 1975.

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There was the jail kitchen.  Love the old cupboard.  Isn’t that color wonderful!

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Deliveries arrived at this back door.

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This was an original cot that was used in the cells.

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Graffiti filled the walls – our guide admitted that some of it probably was new.

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These were the cells upstairs.  The rusted slot area is where the trays of food would be given to the prisoners.  It was eerie being in this jail.  Some say there are ghost here.

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Walkways allowed the guards to observe the prisoners.   At the end of this hallway was the open shower.  Remember – this jail was in use until 1975.

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Perhaps the most chilling aspect of this jail was the reconstructed gallows.  Towns had to stop hanging people in the 1920’s, so the original gallows was removed.  They rebuilt this gallows for a movie.  (They didn’t say which movie.)

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If I had been the jailer, I would certainly have appreciated this strong door.

I know this is a weird post.  Just thought you would like to know.

Blessings to you and yours,

My friends think this is strange.  I have visited other jails in the past.  My parents would take us on tours of  jails on our vacations.  I think we visited Alcatraz, and the Colorado State Penitentiary.  I feel certain Mother and Daddy wanted to be sure we knew the consequences of crime.   Trust me.  It worked.