1884 Daviess County Jail

Artist sketch of the 1884 Daviess County jail. This was the fourth building to serve as the county jail, following buildings built in 1819, 1830, and 1860, and it was in use until the current jail was completed in 1977. Located at East Third & Walnut streets, it was built by the J.G. Miller firm and cost $28,836. The 1884 building was derived into two main wings, a 35′ by 40′ wing housed the sheriff’s residence, and a similar wing housed the prisoners’ cell blocks. Initially, the jail had a capacity of 14 prisoners, but this was later increased and the sheriff’s residence converted into jail administration facilities.