Laclede County Jail - 1876 - Lebanon, MO
Posted by: 
YoSam.
N 37° 40.983 W 092° 39.888
15S E 529555 N 4170702
Historic former jail in Lebanon, Missouri
Waymark Code: WM120ND
Location: Missouri, United States
Date Posted: 01/25/2020
Views: 2
County of building: Laclede County
Location of building: Adams St. & 3rd St., next to courthouse, Lebanon
Architectural Style: Vernacular
Constructed by: J. Pauly and his brother
"The Laclede County Jail faces southwest from its setting on the southwest corner of the
courthouse square in Lebanon, Missouri. The building is two stories, of brick construction
resting on a rubble foundation, capped by a low pitched intersecting asphalt shingle hip
roof, and is T-shaped. The south wing of the T is 20' X 41' and dates from 1876, while
the north wing measuring 19' X 42' was added in 1913 as living quarters for the sheriff.
This addition maintains continuity in form and material with the original portion of the
building.
"Although the building is in need of repairs, it is structurally sound, and 1s maintained by the Laclede County Historical Society which uses the facility as a museum.
" ... after which the next order of business became the construction
cf a new jail and accordingly the county ordered J. Pauly and his brother to build the
third Laclede County Jail which was accomplished for the sum of $4,000 and completed on
September 6, 1876.
Subsequent to that time, the Jail was the scene of Laclede County's one and only public
hanging on March 4, 1880 (Nyberg: p. 94), and of one other colorful crime containing
the ingredients of which legends are spun: a murder, a daring escape, abetted by a young
girl, of the murderer the day before his scheduled hanging, the birth of twins, subsequent
recapture, retrial and acquittal, and an eventual sentence in the State Penitentiary
for horse stealing (Nyberg: p. 92).
"In 1955, Laclede County constructed a new Jail, and at this time the Laclede County
Historical Society interceded to prevent the old Jail's demolition, and to provide it
with a viable new function as a museum to house for all to view the mementos of Laclede
County's interesting history." ~ NRHP Nomination Form