Tamaha Jail

Not much is left within the town of Tamaha, Oklahoma but one thing that does still stand is its historic rock jail. Built in 1886, it’s said to be the oldest jail in Oklahoma. The towns dwindling population has been proud of its historic roots and tiny jail. The rock work has been repaired several times over the years but without annual upkeep, it has deteriorated and the roof is obviously collapsing into the building.

Supposedly the first inmate within the Tamaha Jail was Frank Prentice, how he got there is a store all in itself. Prentice had supposedly been hired as a horseback mail carrier for the Whitefield to Tamaha route. Deciding to have a little fun on his trip he decided to have a few drinks, apparently, he had a few more than expected because a majority of the letters in his saddlebags had been scattered throughout the some twenty or so miles between the towns. Upon arrival, his drunken mistake was discovered and authorities threw him into the Tamaha Jail, just long enough to sober him up.