Bastrop County Jail

Duane's take

Here's how the official marker tells it, and I'll pass it along just the same. Now, you're lookin' at a building that meant business from the moment it went up. The Bastrop County Jail, designed by Eugene T.

Heiner of Houston, rose from the ground in 1891 and 1892, built by contractors Martin, Byrne and Johnston. And right away, this place was doing something a little clever. Two floors of cell blocks on the upper levels, but from the outside, they appear to be just one.

The building kept its secrets, and it kept them well. Tan brick walls trimmed in red brick, a pressed metal cornice runnin' all the way around the structure, and a mansard roof capping one end. It had a certain dignity to it, the kind of dignified look that says the county takes its business seriously.

Down on the first floor, the jailer had his quarters. Close enough to hear everything, far enough to sleep. The cell blocks sat on the second and third floors, tucked behind that exterior that gave nothing away.

And this building served as the Bastrop County Jail all the way until 1974. Over eighty years of keeping watch. Eugene T.

Heiner drew it up, Martin, Byrne and Johnston put it together, and Bastrop County used every bit of it. Some buildings outlive their purpose. This one served its full term.

What the marker says

Designed by Eugene T. Heiner of Houston, this building was erected in 1891-92 by contractors Martin, Byrne & Johnston. Red brick trim decorates the tan brick walls. A pressed metal cornice encircles the structure, and a mansard roof tops one end. Jailer's quarters were located on the first floor and cell blocks on the second and third, which appear to be one floor on the exterior. This edifice served as the Bastrop County Jail until 1974. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1977