The 1919 Jail Restoration Project

Help us restore the San Augustine Co. 1919 Jail
- A Project of the San Augustine Garden Club

The eastern section of Texas is where many of the first settlers came, traveling westward along El Camino Real de los Tejas, seeking new opportunities and better lives.  It is believed that more than 80% of the people who fought for Texas Independence walked the streets of San Augustine.  The "Texas Mystique” lives here!  Do our children, youth, and young adults know about and appreciate the remarkable roots from which they came?  Have we done our best to inspire and encourage them to learn more, and to cherish the freedoms made possible by the sacrifices of those who came before?  In the 1919 jail, a highly visible location only 50 feet from the San Augustine County Courthouse, we have the opportunity to provide a myriad of learning experiences for all.  Thus, the planned restoration of the endangered 1919 jail is much more than the reclaiming of a past relic deserving of being saved.  As we focus upon the lives and service of the earliest Alcaldes, and move on to the contributions of Sheriffs, Texas Rangers, Game Wardens, Justices of the Peace, and Constables, we will also celebrate decades of cultural diversity and a plethora of historically significant events in the lives of these lawmen and the people they served.  The “reimagining” of the 1919 County Jail as a “Purely Texan” Law Enforcement Museum and Research Library will be an inviting educational venue for citizens and visitors alike. 

 Historical Significance
The 1919 San Augustine County Jail is located on the "public square" in San Augustine, Texas.  It is a prominent, visible presence in the City of San Augustine's Main Street designated area, and borders El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historical Trail through downtown San Augustine.  It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, along with the 1927 San Augustine County Courthouse and the 1936 First Governor of Texas James Pinckney Henderson statue, all three of which are located on the 1833 San Augustine County Courthouse Square (a Texas State Antiquities Landmark). 

 Now is disuse due to its non-compliance as a law enforcement facility more than 15 years ago, the 1919 jail served as the Probation Office for a number of years.  In mid-2014 the Probation Department moved to new offices in the restored courthouse, allowing county officials and interested citizens to take a fresh look at "the old, moldy, unsightly jail," with a view towards its restoration. 

The 1919 Jail, pictured to the left of the courthouse, was photographed by US Farm Securities Administration's Russell Lee in 1938-39.  It's original facade was red brick with yellow brick trim.

Pictured circa 1960s before being covered with a cement-like coating in 1973.

This photograph from the April 5, 1973 issue of San Augustine Tribune verifies the time that the cement/stucco was added to the original brick building.  

The 1919 jail as it stands today.

Restoring & Repurposing the 1919 Jail
The 1919 jail is a perfect example of a formerly fully-occupied public law enforcement facility being creatively "re-imagined" with an innovative purpose and "reason for being."  Plans are currently underway to create in this locale an educational program and outreach of the first order, housing a Law Enforcement Museum, Archival Repository, and Texana Research Library.  The still-intact jail cells will find new use as "research cubbies" for the large collection of Texana volumes and historic documents to be housed in the restored, environmentally safe jail.

Plan of Work to Complete
1.       Remove exterior layers of stucco to reveal the historic brick below.
2.       Old roofing to be removed, deck repaired as necessary, and new roof installed.
3.       Remove interior office layouts and open up ground floor as much as possible for museum/research area.  Refurbish jail cells as part of an interactive exhibit for the museum and also to act as “research cubbies” to house historic books.
4.       Provide at least one ADA accessible restroom inside.
5.       Investigate stair leading up to second floor for structure integrity and refurbish or replace as necessary to be functional to the building.
6.       Renovate building for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems to provide adequate conditioned space befitting the stored volumes of books that will be present, and adequate lighting systems for research/reading capabilities.

All project plans will conform to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the treatment of Historic Properties.  Directives from the Architecture Division of the Texas Historical Commission concerning the removal of the stucco from the original brick have been received by County Judge Samye Johnson, and will be strictly observed.

Support
We are fortunate to have the enthusiastic assistance of the San Augustine County Historical Commission and the San Augustine Main Street Program in the way of publicity and assisting with gathering information for the Law Enforcement Museum section of the facility.  We will call upon the Museum Services Division of Texas Historical Commission to assist us with the professional implementation of the envisioned project.  Stephen F Austin State University’s History Department is also aware of our vision and has offered to help. 

Thank you for your contributions!
 - A Project of San Augustine Garden Club
 
Would you like more information?  Do you have local Law Enforcement memorabilia that may be put on display at the restored 1919 Jail?  Please contact Betty Oglesbee at [email redacted] or [phone redacted].