Florida Historical Markers Programs - Marker Detail

Description: Constructed in 1948, the Old Wakulla County Jail is a concrete and stucco building in the Art Deco style. The architect was James A. Stripling and builder was the S. J. Curry Company, who also constructed the nearby Wakulla County Courthouse. From 1949 to 1973, the building served as the county jail and the jailer’s residence. The first floor was constructed as a three-bedroom residence. The front room, on the east side of the building, served as the jailer’s office. The stairs, accessed through the east door, led to the jail cells on the second story. Jailer R. E. Whaley served as the first jailer, and his wife, Geraldine, served as the police dispatcher, cook, and laundry person. The couple lived here until 1972, when Whaley retired and John Henry Taylor took over as jailer. In 1973, a new jail was built, and from that time until 1999, the old jail building housed various county offices. The building was slated for demolition in 1997, but the Wakulla County Historical Society pushed for its preservation. In 1999, the Wakulla County Board of County Commissioners agreed to lease the building to the Wakulla County Historical Society for the creation of a museum and archives.