According to Sanborn maps, in 1931 the Historic Anderson County Jail replaced the previous county jail built in 1880 at 704 Ave A, Palestine, TX. The more modern jail became a rare local example of Art Deco architecture [2]. After 135 years of housing criminals and juveniles this facility closed it's doors in 1996.
Now, the Historic Anderson County Jail (AKA: Texas Jail House) doors are open once again for visitors to experience a piece of Anderson County and Palestine's history!
[1] [Anderson County Jail], Photograph, C. 1900; (http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth26454/ : accessed March 30, 2015), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, http://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Palestine Public Library, Palestine, Texas.
[2] Newlan, Ralph. [704 Avenue A - Old Anderson County Jail], Photograph, March 1990; (http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth9403/ : accessed March 30, 2015), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, http://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Palestine Public Library, Palestine, Texas.
