Macoupin County Jail
The historic 1869 Macoupin County Jail was also designed
by E.E. Meyers. It was built using the "cannon ball" method
which prevented jail breaks by making it nearly impossible to
remove the blocks. This unique medieval-inspired fortress
housed many lawbreakers during its 119 years of use, but
only one prisoner escaped. He was soon apprehended a few
blocks from the jail.
The interior is designed in the "jailer residence" style, a
popular 19th century prison design, requiring the jailer and
his family to reside in an apartment above the jail. The cell
block ceiling, walls and floor are constructed of one-inch iron
plates with 20 inches of solid stone above and below. The
jail was built to house 16 male prisoners and one female, but
at one time it held 33 prisoners, four of whom were accused
murderers. This historic structure was finally retired when
the new county jail was built and dedicated in 1988.