Old Bedford County Jail, Gefängnis in den Vereinigten Staaten
The Old Bedford County Jail is a 19th century detention building in Shelbyville, Tennessee, built in 1866 and 1867 from hand-dressed limestone using ashlar masonry. The two-story structure measures approximately 26 feet tall, 48 feet wide, and 36 feet deep, with narrow windows designed for security and ventilation.
The county approved construction funds in May 1866, and the building was completed the following year with nine supervisors overseeing the project. The jail became a significant local facility during the post-Civil War era in Tennessee.
This building served as a community focal point for law enforcement and justice in Shelbyville for many decades. Its sturdy limestone construction reflects the practical standards and craftsmanship of the 19th century in this region.
The building is located near Shelbyville's town square and is accessible by local roads. The area around the structure provides walking space to view its exterior and connect with other nearby historic sites in the town center.
A historian in 1887 described it as one of the most handsome and notable buildings in Shelbyville and praised its security features. A dramatic jailbreak in the 1960s resulted in a Tennessee State Trooper being fatally shot, marking the first law enforcement officer to die in the line of duty in the state.
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