City/Town: • Bromide |
Location Class: • Jail |
Built: • 1939 | Abandoned: |
Status: • Restored |
Photojournalist: • Cathy Brock |
The first calaboose in Bromide was a wood structure on the Johnson County side of town. The structure was burned in December 1916 by Ab Jennings who was placed in it on a charge of being drunk. He was safely removed from the burning structure and then charged with arson but the jail had suffered its fate.
This is more of what I like to call a “small jail” rather than tiny. This stone structure was built in 1939 and was more than likely not used very often other than to hold the occasional drunk.
This jail piques my interest for a few reasons, one being the stone that was used to construct it. Probably gathered from the region that Bromide sits in it is much bigger and different than our typical tiny jail that is constructed of concrete. It also sports a later addition to its backside. You can tell this isn’t original due to the different stones and mortar used to attach it. The entrance to this possible cellar has been blocked up. Lastly it sports a brand new roof around the whole buildings and new windows to serve as the towns city hall! Its amazing to see one of these structures repurposed and preserved.
Gallery Below of Bromide Jail
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