| City/Town: • Wetmore |
| Location Class: • Jail |
| Built: • 1883 | Abandoned: • June 22, 1942 |
| Status: • Restored |
| Photojournalist: • Theresa White |
The start of the Wetmore jail dates back to 1882 when the City of Wetmore purchased Block 22, Lot 20 from Elvin Campfield for the purpose of building a calaboose on the land. Work on the jail lasted from November 20, 1882, until July 7, 1883, for a total cost of $263.40. Different from other calabooses which most were made of concrete, the Wetmore jail is constructed of 15 inch thick native stones with two small barred windows, and a metal sheeted ceiling and door. It’s said that it was originally built with a dirt floor but and a concrete floor was added later after an inmate tried to escape by digging.
The first prisoner logged in the jail was a gentleman by the name of John Martin who was arrested for disturbing the peace with his drunkenness. He plead guilty and was fined merely a dollar, but two more dollars in legal fees were added on. The last logged prisoner from the jail log was June 22, 1942.
Gallery Below of Wetmore Jail
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