Springfield Paranormal Research Group
1859 Jail History Timeline
1827
Independence platted and lot number two set aside for the Jail: first sheriff was
Joseph Walker, mountain man and explorer.
1841
Second Jail built; Porter Rockwell held.
1859
New Jail replaces second structure: Marshal's residence is attached to the new facility.
1861
Civil War began; Jail used periodically by Union troops as headquarters during the
war.
1862
Jail under attack during the first Battle of Independence.
1863
Order Number 11; Jail holds as many as 20 prisoners to a cell.
1864
Price's Raid
1866
Jailer shot. The Rev. A.H. Dean is jailed. George Caleb Bingham paints his
portrait.
1881
Bill Ryan—a James gang member—held at Jail for trial.
1882
Frank James surrenders and is incarcerated at 1859 Jail.
1880s
Mother Mary Jerome Shubrick works at Jail and heralds prison reform in
Missouri.
1890
Chain gangs leaving Jail to work on county roads are a common sight.
1901
Additional brick facility added to rear of Jail
1920
Jail closed by Judge Latshaw for inadequate facilities.
1921
Jail reopened on technicality.
1933
Jail use terminated and building used for regional relief services (WPA—
Works Progress Administration) during the Depression.
1945
American legion proposes to take over building for headquarters.
1959
Jackson County Historical Society acquires and begins to restore
Jail.