City of Waxahachie Calaboose - Waxahachie, TX
N 32° 23.225 W 096° 50.797
14S E 702559 N 3585381
While very well-maintained, the old City of Waxahachie calaboose stands vacant in Singleton Plaza, on North College Street near Water Street.
Waymark Code: WMPXGC
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 11/04/2015
Views: 3
A sign in front of the calaboose provides some background:
The Calaboose was built as a local lockup for crimes under the jurisdiction of the City of Waxahachie.
This Calaboose was at least the third one in Waxahachie. There is mention of a Calaboose as early as 1876 in the Waxahachie City Council Minutes, but the exact location is unknown. The Sanborn Insurance Map of 1885 showed a Calaboose and an early Ellis County Jail at the corner of North Rogers and Water Street.
These two earlier calabooses were torn down. According to the Waxahachie City Council Minutes of July 12, 1888, the council purchased "a lot about eighty feet front on Jackson Street and extending back to the branch for $850.00." At the same meeting J.B. Meredith was awarded the contract for building the Calaboose for $490.00. The construction was unusual. The walls and ceiling are built of horizontal 2" x 6" boards stacked solid for strength and security. Siding was applied to the exterior.
The Calaboose is shown on the Sanborn Insurance Map of 1890 as 516 North Jackson. The Sanborn map of 1898 shows this building still on Jackson Street, but labeled "Damaged by Fire", and no label of Calaboose. The interior still reflects the fire damage. By 1904, the building was vacant, and by 1914, it was used as a warehouse. It remained on the Jackson Street location until moved to this site.
The definition of Calaboose is derived from the Spanish "calaboso" or "dungeon." The term was used especially in the Southern and Western States. The definition is a jail, a local jail.
Address:
200 Block of N College Street
Singleton Plaza
Waxahachie, TX USA
75165
Open to the public: No
Hours:
The calaboose is locked, but one may visit at any time.
Fees?:
No
Web link: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
In order to add a new log to the waymark of this category, simply take another photo of the prison from a different angle than the other posts. Also add to the history of the jail when possible.