The First Jail in Eldorado 

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 Eldorado found its need for a place to incarcerate prisoners in 1905, and the Commissioners Court took bids for a contractor to build a jail. Bonds were approved and S.T. Hodges agreed to build the rock structure for $8,750.

  The building was a second empire structure with corner quoins and walls of rock-forced course ashlar. The rocks were quarried in Schleicher County. This was Eldorado’s first rock building, and it was very outstanding.

  Many law officials have lived in the jail during their tem of office. Ola Mae “Duge” McDonald was the only child born in the jail when her father, “Pomp” Watson, served as Deputy Sheriff in 1914. Orval Edmiston and his family lived in the jail twenty-four years while he was sheriff. Charlene Edmiston also cooked for the prisoners. Orval was Schleicher County Sheriff from 1957 until 1979.

  The old jail still has the hanging gallows, even though no one was ever hanged. The gallows have been covered over, but they are still there.

  The structure received a Texas Medallion Plaque in 1962. It now houses the County Appraisal District.

Article courtesy of Rene Calcote