by Linda Mullen

It will be only a short time before the 1881 Jail is open for tours. The cell reproductions were delivered on Jan. 14th.

These were created by Dustin Davis of Iron Hill Services of Whitehouse, Texas.

It was most exciting to see the sections coming together.

Local welder Doug White is making repairs to the 1914 Jail trap door which will also be on display soon in the old jail.

This jail was on the courthouse lawn and was torn down in 1977.

The private grant for $25,000, the city’s matching $25,000 grant, and the Freestone County Historical Commissions two grants totaling $10,000 have been what has allowed this process to be completed in a much timelier manner.

The museum board is very grateful to all of those involved in providing these grant monies for this project.

A mere THANK YOU does not seem adequate.

When these funds became available, the board was able to hire the Campbell Custom Homes Company (of the Littlejohn House reproduction) to oversee the restoration.

It’s just a matter of weeks before a 10 year project comes to a completion.