Schuyler Jail Museum
The Schuyler Jail Museum and Genealogical Center of Rushville consists of the old jail building of Schuyler County. The structure of the jail, which was the third jail building at this site, was built in 1857. The original jail was built in 1827, was replaced in 1838, and then replaced by the jail that still stands today. In 1856, Schuyler County was in need of a larger, updated jail building. With over 10,000 citizens, the jail built in 1838, which was 24'-by2-26', was no longer adequate. In January of 1857, the county hired Jeremiah Stumm to build the new jail. Stumm had experience in the design and construction of stone buildings and drew a blueprint for a stone jail. However, difficulty arose when trying to transport the stone to the building site. Because of the size and weight of the stones and the wet season, the stones had to be hauled to Rushville by wagon one at a time. Once the building was completed in 1858, it consisted of eight jail cells. The jail was made complete of stone, which meant that each cell was fireproof. The jailer's home, which was attached to the jail, was made of brick at was two stories with five rooms. In 1858, it was thought to have been one of the best ventilated and well-lit jails in Illinois. This jail served Schuyler County until 1902, when a new jail was built at a new location. From 1902 until 1968, the building was used in many different ways including as a community center and a private residence. In 1968, the City Council agreed to lease the old jail to the Schuyler-Brown Historical Society for $1 a year. The Historical Society would also be responsible for maintenance and repairs. They planned to transform the building into a museum and genealogical center. Since then, the building has undergone many changes, though part of the original, stone jail remain. In the 1970s, two additions were made, including the Heritage Room. In 1986, the Tyrone Room was added on and in 1996, the most recent addition, the South Room, was added. Today, the Schuyler Jail Museum and Genealogical Center serves Schuyler County and the surrounding counties. They house of largest genealogical collections in the area. The museum portion is dedicated to pioneer life and farm life, specifically in Illinois. In 1997, it was a recipient of the Governor's Hometown Award for Excellence Through Volunteers. The museum is complete run by volunteers and open seven days a week. |
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