Old Columbia Jail

Introduction

Text-to-speech Audio

Columbia is one of the oldest towns in the Wiregrass region and one of the largest Civil War towns. As a prominent Chattahoochee river port-of-call, it was a major trading center for the region, prompting the need for a local jail. This building erected sometime during the early 1860s, likely when Columbia was a Confederate military post and commissary. The building originally contained 2 cells, each measuring at 10x15 feet. The walls are studded every two inches with iron spikes to prevent escape, and the door is reinforced with a metal frame. In 1978 a historical marker was placed by the Historic Chattahoochee Commission.

Images

Photo of the Columbia Jail

Backstory and Context

Text-to-speech Audio

At the time of its construction, the Columbia Jail was built in a Columbia that was still an active trading community. Columbia was a river port town and consequently was a major trader for the Wiregrass region. The Columbia Jail was constructed in the early 1860s to help manage the active port town. This period was during the active Civil War, so it is possible that the jail was built when Columbia was an active Confederate military post and commissary center.

With a strong wooden frame, the building features a single door on one side with sets of 2 barred windows on each other face of the building. The door of the jail is of strong wooden construction with a metal frame helping to brace the door. Inside the jail, there are 2 cells each measuring in at 10x15 feet. The interior walls have metal studs struck into them to reinforce the walls and prevent escape from prisoners.

In 1976 as part of the celebration of the Bicentennial of American Independence, the old jail was renovated and restored by the Columbia Bicentennial Committee and the Columbia Women’s Club. It has since been renovated into a museum. Not long after a historical marker was added in 1978 by the Historic Chattahoochee Commission.

Sources

Hilton, Mark. Old Columbia Jail / Columbia, Historical Marker Database. June 16th 2016. Accessed December 7th 2020. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=73368.

Cox, Dale. Old Columbia Jail - Columbia, Alabama, ExploreSouthernHistory.com. January 1st 2011. Accessed December 7th 2020. https://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/columbiajail.html.