Knox County Jail

Knox County Jail is a two-story brick structure with solitary confinement cells on the first floor and two cell blocks on the upper level. The building also includes the former living quarters of the jailer and his family.

The facility was built in 1845 by contractor Alvah Wheeler to replace an earlier log jail deemed inadequate for security. This new structure provided improved standards for holding prisoners safely.

The building is now part of the Knox County Museum and displays exhibits about local law enforcement in the 19th century. Visitors can learn how the justice system operated in the region during that era.

The building can be toured to see how a 19th-century jail operated on a daily basis. The connected living quarters help visitors understand the conditions and routines of both prisoners and staff.

The building was the site of the county's only official execution in 1873 when John M. Osborne was hanged for murder. This event remains a significant part of the local narrative.

Location: Knoxville

GPS coordinates: 40.90869,-90.28511

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:06