1859 Jail Museum: A Glimpse into Jackson County's Past

The 1859 Jail Museum, located on Independence Square, offers a unique glimpse into the history of Jackson County, Missouri. Built in 1859, it served as the county's third jail and is one of the oldest surviving structures in the area. The building is divided into two distinct sections: the jail itself, with its formidable limestone cells, and the Marshal's home, where the jailers and their families lived.A visit to the museum allows you to explore the original jail cells, imagining the lives of those incarcerated within its walls. The jail consisted of six upstairs and six downstairs cells, with two-foot thick walls of limestone blocks. A single kerosene lamp in the hallway provided the only light at night. Each cell is six by nine feet. Notably, you can see the cell where Frank James, brother of the infamous Jesse James, was held for six months in the 1880s. His cell is preserved as it was during his stay.The museum also sheds light on the lives of the jailers and their families who lived in the attached residence. The jailer's office formed part of the residence, but has a separate entryway from the house. The jailer's wife cooked meals for her family and the prisoners, in a small kitchen at the back of the house.The 1859 Jail Museum stands as a testament to the efforts of concerned citizens and the Jackson County Historical Society who recognized the importance of preserving this unique piece of history.