Henry County Sheriff's Residence and Jail, Second Empire government building in Napoleon, Ohio.
The Henry County Sheriff's Residence and Jail is a government building in Napoleon that combines residential and detention spaces under one Second Empire-style roof. The structure features a mansard roof with ornamental stonework, arched windows, and decorative trim typical of the period.
The building was constructed in 1882 after a fire destroyed its predecessor in 1879, prompting county officials to fund a new facility. Architect D.W. Gibbs designed the structure as a modern replacement using the fashionable Second Empire style.
The building design incorporated separate sections for the sheriff's family residence and detention areas, reflecting the law enforcement practices of rural Ohio communities.
The building can be viewed from the street and is easy to identify on Napoleon's Main Street. Visitors should ask locally about access options and whether interior tours are offered at this time.
The detention section originally contained twelve iron cells that could be configured to separate different groups of inmates. An unusual feature for its time was the installation of electrical power and running water by 1913, making it notably advanced compared to similar rural facilities.
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