Historic Oglethorpe County
JAIL
1879-2007
Construction
Confederate veteran Manasseh McGinty capitalized on construction projects that resumed in the South toward the end of the Reconstruction era (1866-1877). He quickly built a reputation as the master builder in the Athens area
Hard as Stone
The brick walls of the jail were made from clay mined on the Hartsfield farm, three miles west of Lexington.
Ventilation
The windows for the new jail are at the depot. They are substantial affairs.
Oglethorpe Echo, November 1, 1878
Taking Leave
Escape from Jail – “On Tuesday night last Calem Mathews, col., imprisoned for stealing wheat and Nathan Armstrong, col., for stealing a shot gun, made their escape from the hall of the jail, where they were contained, by using the ropes by which the hall windows were raised, breaking out the latis work in the bull’s eye directly over the door and letting themselves down to the ground. Both offenses were slight and would doubtless have been punished by a fine.”
Oglethorpe Echo, November 9, 1882
Restoration
This jail was vacated in 2007, after 128 years of nearly continuous use. At the time it was the oldest occupied jail in Georgia.
Smithonia
After the Civil War (1861-1865) Georgia, along with other southern states, began the practice of convict leasing. Started during Reconstruction (1866-1877) both state and local authorities provided prisoners to companies and individuals needing laborers. The practice freed the state from the costs of operating state prisons and generated a profit.
Chain Gangs
The average life of a man on the chain gang was said to be less than five years.
Executions
Linton Findley was found guilty of murder and sentenced to be hanged.
Modern Jail
In 1924, the county, weary of the expense and stress of near constant escapes, contacted Manly Jail Works of Dalton, Georgia, to purchase modern steel cells.
Special Thanks
Hamilton McWhorter, Jr.
Fred W. McRee, Jr.
Watson-Brown Junior Board of Trustees, Athens Chapter
Operated By
Historic Oglepthorpe County, Inc.
Graphics By
John Fortuna
Website By
Nova Roma Designs