Benton County Jail, jail in Bentonville, Arkansas
The Benton County Jail is a two-story brick building on North Main Street built in 1911 by architect A. O. Clark in Classical Revival style. The structure features six large cell blocks upstairs with capacity for four prisoners each, along with living quarters for the jailer and his family, a kitchen, and separate facilities for female inmates.
The original jail was built in 1838 from log construction but became too deteriorated by 1848 and was replaced. After several relocations, a new single-story building with two cells was constructed in 1888, which was then replaced by the current brick structure in 1911. The modern county jail facility was completed in 1999 on Highway 102 West.
The jail served as a visible symbol of the town's commitment to law and order, and today it reflects how Bentonville managed its community safety over generations. The building's formal design was meant to convey authority and stability to residents who passed by.
The building is located on North Main Street near the town square and is easily accessible on foot. Visitors can view the exterior features including the brick walls, Ionic columns, and limestone corner details to appreciate the early 20th-century architecture.
A fire broke out in the 1888 jail building in 1905 that killed two of six prisoners, leading to the requirement that the jailer must live at the facility. This tragedy prompted significant changes to safety protocols and emergency response procedures.
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