The 1903 jail building was the third known jail structure in the Town of Silverton, Colorado. The first jail structure was a one-room cell constructed of wood. The second jail structure was two-cell jail built of stone. The third jail structure (5SA1189) was built of brick with dressed limestone detailing. The recurring escape of prisoners from the first two jail structures led to the necessity of a multi-cell, state-of-the-art, escape proof and fireproof structure. An article in the Silverton Standard newspaper, dated April 26, 1902 described the last prison break to occur in San Juan County from the second of the three structures, the stone jailhouse. The County Commissioners quickly responded to the problem, placing an advertisement in that same periodical on May 10th, 1902, soliciting bids for the construction of a new facility. An announcement of the award of the contract for the construction of the now existing jail was printed on May 31st, 1902, declaring Thomas Edwards of Silverton as the recipient of the contract for the project, to be completed by November of the following year for a fixed price of $12,175. Several other articles pertaining to the construction of the jail appear in the Silverton Standard over the course of the next year. According to the Jail Resister of San Juan County, Andy Johnson, a 38-year old male, found guilty of burglary, was the first prisoner to be incarcerated, beginning his 5-month and 26-day commitment on November 16th, 1903. A foiled escape plan from the new facility was reported in the Silverton Standard on October 8th, 1904.
The building served as the County jail until the early 1920’s when it abandoned for approximately 10 years due to the decline in population and crime in San Juan County. In the early 1930’s the building became home to a small population of elderly miner’s who were essentially wards of the County. Several death certificates held in the County archive identify the former jail building as the County Poor House during this period. However, by the end of World War II, the building was again abandoned.
In 1965, the San Juan County Historical Society (SJCHS)http://www.silvertonhistoricsociety.org/index_files/page0012.htm entered into a 99-year lease of the structure from the County. The San Juan County Historical Museum remains housed in the former San Juan County Jail building. A comprehensive restoration of the building was begun in 2008 and is anticipated to be complete by 2011.
