Marker Inscription
The city's first brick jail, this structure was erected in 1908 adjacent to the city hall on a lot purchased from Rebecca A. Croft, widow of Judge William Croft. On the lower floor were cells and on the top floor the police chief's office, occupied by Will S. Knight, Corsicana's first police chief, 1906-36. His office was moved to the new city hall in 1924 and two more cells added. The facilities were heated by gas in the winter and at times were crowded with as many as 80 prisoners. This building housed the city jail until 1974.
About this site
Corsicana City Jail of 1908 is a historical marker in Corsicana, Navarro County, dedicated in 1976. It is one of 128 historical markers documented in Navarro County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 218 historic sites cataloged across the county.
The site sits at 32.0934, -96.4675 near Corsicana. The nearest cataloged historic site is Corsicana Public Library (historical marker), about 0.1 miles away. Others within a short drive include Johnson, Samuel Wistar, M. D., Scales-Fortson House, and Collin Street Bakery.
This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5349011606. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.
