“Longest operating county jail in the State of Missouri”
While jails are not the most attractive buildings in a community, they have nonetheless always played an important role in a developing society. Such is the case with the Cooper County Jail. Until its closing in 1978, it was the oldest continuously used County Jail in Missouri. The original structure was completed in 1848 for $6,091.50. Slaves quarried the 2½ foot thick limestone blocks which they used for construction of the two-story building. Each story had one large room, reminiscent of old dungeons, equipped with 1 ¼ inch round rings bolted into the outer walls. The prisoners were shackled to these rings at the feet. The large room on the ground level, known as the “bullpen” held slaves destined for the auction block on Main Street.
http://friendsofhistoricboonvillemo.org/?page_id=128
The jail is only one aspect of the town of Boonville. There are lots of other old/historic buildings on and off Maim St that are worth seeing. Also can park to the left of the Katy Bridge entrance where the war memorial is and walk 1/2 across the bridge to get nice view of Missouri River and train trestle bridge.
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OLD COOPER COUNTY JAIL AND HANGING BARN
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Wheelchair Accessible
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Credit Cards Accepted
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