Austin County Jail Museum

About Us

The Historic Austin County Jail was built in 1896 at cost of $19,970, and was a functioning jail until 1982.

Calling their old jail ''unsafe, unfit, and inadequate,'' the Austin County Court contracted in 1896 with Pauly Jail Building Co. of St. Louis to erect this structure at cost of $19,970. Romanesque Revival style, with crenelated parapets, bartizans, and stone window arches harmonized with the 1886 courthouse, which later burned. The gallows, used only in 1901, have been removed; jailer's quarters have been enlarged; but original exterior is preserved. It was a functioning jail along with being the sheriff and his family's house until 1982. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1976