Crawford County Jail

Old Crawford County Jail

The old jail is located on Highway 42 across from the new Courthouse in Knoxville.

See the list of Sheriff's from 1823 to 1976

The first recorded evidence of a separate jail facility for the county was found in the records of the inferior court. In 1832, the county treasurer was ordered to pay Elbert Davis, the contractor, $70.00 in full for said work. The treasurer was also ordered to pay B. F. Lane $10.50 for blankets furnished to the jail.

Minutes of the inferior court stated that on January 16, 1837, it was ordered that a new jail be built in the town of Knoxville, GA. The specifications were drawn up, a blueprint was made, and the order went out to let the contract to the lowest bidder on the third Monday in February at the courthouse in Knoxville.

In May 1837, the contract was let to Uriah Slappy for $1,749.00. This amount to be paid in three installments. The jail was to be finished 18 months from the time of letting the contract.

For some unknown reason the contract for the building was delayed. On June 5, 1841, a parcel of land was bought for the jail site from Samuel H. Harris. The justices of the inferior court paid Harris for a parcel of land lying in the fork of the road below where Dr. Harvey lived and above Mr. Robert Hicks. The tract was a triangle and measured 96x96x60 and to a point.

In 1840, the old jail was sold to Isaac Davis for $100.25. It is not known what facility was used for the jail from 1840 until the new jail was built in 1843.

On March 10, 1843, the county treasurer was ordered to pay Uriah Slappy $500.00 for the third and last installment for the building.

The inferior court justices decided at the recorded meeting of June 24, 1843, that the original bond for Uriah Slappy had become forfeited by failure of Mr. Slappy to build the jail according to conditions of the bond and the bond was sued.

The records of the inferior court show expenses paid in many instances for supplies and medical services for the prisoners.

Transcribed by Kim Gordon

This page was last updated Tuesday, November 08, 2005 04:07 PM

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