Last week, I gave you a brief history of the jail that I have at my museum, I also sent a photo of the jail but for reasons unknown, it did not make it as an attachment in the email, so it could not be shared with you by L’Observateur.

The large jail was built in 1906 and held twelve prisoners that worked on the chain gang. The smaller jail that I have held four prisoners, and it was built in Detroit, Mich. in the late 1800s.

A friend of mine was in the mountains on a hunting trip and saw it in someone’s yard. After negotiations with the owner, it was brought to Louisiana in two separate trips. I found out about it and was able to get it for the museum. It now sits outside the Louisiana Treasures Museum alongside the jail of 1906.

I would like to say that if you went to jail in the 1800s or 1900s, you were really in trouble. Stop in to see the jails and the Law Enforcement Memorial dedicated to fallen officers from Louisiana. For more information on Louisiana Treasures Museum or to schedule group tours or visits call Wayne Norwood at 225-294-8352.

Wayne Norwood is a lieutenant with the St. John the Baptist Sheriff’s Department and owner and operator of the Louisiana Treasures Museum.