Brown County Jail
401 W. Broadway, Brownwood, TXThe Brown County Jail, constructed in 1902 and 1903, exemplifies the principles which governed jail design in America in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Designed and constructed by two of the leading jail companies in the South--Youngblood Brothers of Troy, Alabama; and Martin, Moodie & Co. of Comanche, Texas--the Brown County jail successfully assured the local population of their safety from various "lawless elements" while simultaneously conveying physical strength, impregnability, and the seriousness of incarceration to those who were imprisoned there. It was the first jail constructed in Texas by Youngblood Brothers, a firm that operates today as the Southern Steel Company, and which provided the equipment for many of America's largest prisons such as Riker's Island, New York. Architecturally, the Brown County Jail is one of the most significant turn-of-the-century jails in Texas.
Brown County, located near the geographical center of Texas, was created in 1856 and named in honor of Captain Henry S. Brown, a member of Green C. DeWitt's colony and a delegate from Gonzales to the Convention of 1832 at San Felipe de Austin. Settlement of the county was slow, due largely to its proximity to the Comanche frontier, and a chaotic period of lawlessness lasted well into the 1880s. Perhaps in response to this chaos, the county authorized the construction of its first jail in 1876, a structure that was located at the corner of North Fiske and Water streets.
In March 1880, the jail and nearby courthouse burned and all county records were lost. Subsequently, commissioners contracted with Martin, Byrne & Johnston in 1881, and this prominent firm completed a new Brown County Jail.
By 1901, the commissioners decided that the 1881 jail was insufficient for the county's needs. In an election held in December, voters authorized the issuance of $30,000 in bonds and the county took steps to acquire Block 9 of Brownwood proper from Brook Smith and the Brownwood Ice and Light Co. Simultaneously, the commissioners published a notice in the Dallas Daily News in which they requested that jail contractors submit plans, specifications, and bids by February 6, 1902, for the erection of a stone or brick fire-proof jail furnished with the latest improved steel cells and all other modern improvements.
A number of jail contractors bid on the Brown County Jail, and commissioners spent almost three days considering the alternatives. On February 6, they accepted the low bid of $24,925.60, awarding the contract to the firm of Martin, Moodie & Co. of Comanche, Texas, in partnership with Youngblood Bros. of Troy, Alabama, and appointed local architect and contractor William Hood as the superintendent of construction.
Local significance of the building:
Brown County, located near the geographical center of Texas, was created in 1856 and named in honor of Captain Henry S. Brown, a member of Green C. DeWitt's colony and a delegate from Gonzales to the Convention of 1832 at San Felipe de Austin. Settlement of the county was slow, due largely to its proximity to the Comanche frontier, and a chaotic period of lawlessness lasted well into the 1880s. Perhaps in response to this chaos, the county authorized the construction of its first jail in 1876, a structure that was located at the corner of North Fiske and Water streets.
In March 1880, the jail and nearby courthouse burned and all county records were lost. Subsequently, commissioners contracted with Martin, Byrne & Johnston in 1881, and this prominent firm completed a new Brown County Jail.
By 1901, the commissioners decided that the 1881 jail was insufficient for the county's needs. In an election held in December, voters authorized the issuance of $30,000 in bonds and the county took steps to acquire Block 9 of Brownwood proper from Brook Smith and the Brownwood Ice and Light Co. Simultaneously, the commissioners published a notice in the Dallas Daily News in which they requested that jail contractors submit plans, specifications, and bids by February 6, 1902, for the erection of a stone or brick fire-proof jail furnished with the latest improved steel cells and all other modern improvements.
A number of jail contractors bid on the Brown County Jail, and commissioners spent almost three days considering the alternatives. On February 6, they accepted the low bid of $24,925.60, awarding the contract to the firm of Martin, Moodie & Co. of Comanche, Texas, in partnership with Youngblood Bros. of Troy, Alabama, and appointed local architect and contractor William Hood as the superintendent of construction.
Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
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About Brown County
Brown County Timeline
Brown County, Texas, located in the central part of the state, holds a rich history that dates back to prehistoric times. The area was inhabited by various Native American groups, including the Apache and Comanche, prior to European settlement. In the early 1800s, Spanish explorers ventured into the region, followed by American explorers and traders in the early 1830s.
The county was officially established on August 27, 1856, and was named after Henry Stevenson Brown, a commander during the Texas Revolution. During the mid-19th century, the area experienced rapid growth and development. The arrival of the Texas and Pacific Railroad in 1885 significantly boosted the local economy, leading to a population increase and new opportunities for trade.
Throughout its history, Brown County has been primarily agricultural-based, with cotton being a major crop during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The discovery of oil in the early 1900s also brought prosperity to the region. As the county developed, schools, churches, and other infrastructure were established, contributing to the growth and overall wellbeing of the community.
Brown County has faced its fair share of challenges as well. Like many other areas in Texas, it struggled during the Great Depression, but gradually recovered with the help of various New Deal programs. In recent years, the county has focused on diversifying its economy, with industries such as healthcare, education, and manufacturing becoming more prominent.
Today, Brown County maintains its historical charm and offers a mix of rural landscapes and urban conveniences. It continues to preserve its heritage through various cultural events and historical sites, including the Brown County Museum of History. As the county moves forward, it strives to balance growth with its strong sense of community and appreciation for its past.
The county was officially established on August 27, 1856, and was named after Henry Stevenson Brown, a commander during the Texas Revolution. During the mid-19th century, the area experienced rapid growth and development. The arrival of the Texas and Pacific Railroad in 1885 significantly boosted the local economy, leading to a population increase and new opportunities for trade.
Throughout its history, Brown County has been primarily agricultural-based, with cotton being a major crop during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The discovery of oil in the early 1900s also brought prosperity to the region. As the county developed, schools, churches, and other infrastructure were established, contributing to the growth and overall wellbeing of the community.
Brown County has faced its fair share of challenges as well. Like many other areas in Texas, it struggled during the Great Depression, but gradually recovered with the help of various New Deal programs. In recent years, the county has focused on diversifying its economy, with industries such as healthcare, education, and manufacturing becoming more prominent.
Today, Brown County maintains its historical charm and offers a mix of rural landscapes and urban conveniences. It continues to preserve its heritage through various cultural events and historical sites, including the Brown County Museum of History. As the county moves forward, it strives to balance growth with its strong sense of community and appreciation for its past.
Brown County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Brown County, Texas.
- 1800s: Brown County was initially inhabited by Comanche and Kiowa Native American tribes.
- 1849: The County was originally established by the Texas Legislature and named after Henry Stevenson Brown, a Republic of Texas militia major killed at the Battle of Velasco during the Texas Revolution.
- 1856: The first permanent settlement was established in the county, known as Brownwood, named after Henry Stevenson Brown.
- 1867: The county was officially organized, and Brownwood became the county seat.
- 1885: The arrival of the Texas Central Railroad in Brownwood facilitated growth and development in the county.
- 1903: Howard Payne College, now known as Howard Payne University, was founded in Brownwood.
- Early 1900s: Cotton and livestock farming were the primary economic activities in Brown County.
- 1930s: The Great Depression deeply impacted the county's economy, leading to a decline in population and prosperity.
- 1950s: The discovery of oil and gas reserves brought an economic boom to Brown County.
- 1970: Lake Brownwood was constructed as a recreational reservoir in the county.
- 1997: The expansion of Howard Payne University included the renovation and construction of various campus facilities.