Williamson County Jail, former county jail in Marion, Illinois
The Williamson County Jail is a prison building in the Prairie School style located in Marion, Illinois. Constructed of red brick, it displays characteristic horizontal lines, flat roofs, and regularly spaced windows that define this architectural approach.
The original jail at this site was a simple log structure built in 1840 by Squire Howell. In 1864, it was replaced by a two-story brick building designed to better serve the county's expanding needs and house more prisoners.
The jail carries the county's name and is anchored in Marion's streetscape as a symbol of the town's past. Local residents and visitors recognize it as a landmark that represents the area's connection to law enforcement history.
The building stands in a quiet area of Marion and is easy to reach on foot. As a listed historic site, visitors can view the architecture from outside and learn about the county's past through local informational resources.
The first prisoner held in the original 1840 log jail was Richard Cook, who awaited trial for horse theft. This arrival marked the beginning of the jail's operational history and reflects the types of crimes dealt with in early Marion.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
