The Old Hale County Jail served Hale County from its completion in 1908 until 1999, when it was replaced by the modern Hale County Corrections facility. The masonry building is distinct with its 24 large windows inset with iron bars, and its crenelated battlements. The jail is three stories with offices on the first floor and holding cells on the second and third. The second and third floors were each divided into two separate cells. The jail could hold up to 71 inmates, but on average held 42. This building is a contributing property to the Greensboro Historic District that’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).
In 1994, of the Alabama Trust for Historic Preservation and the Alabama Historical Commission established the “Places in Peril” to bring public attention to historic sites that are in danger of being lost. The Old Hale County Jail was included in the 2018 “Places in Peril” to highlight several structural issues resulting from the vacancy of the building.
This old jail is located behind the Hale County Courthouse at Greensboro (GPS coordinates 32.703498, -87.592438).
Sources: 1) NRHP “Greensboro Historic District” Nomination Form, 2) 2018 “Places in Peril” by the Alabama Trust for Historic Preservation and the Alabama Historical Commission; 3) Hale County Alabama, An Inventory of Significant and Historic Resources, by the Cahaba Trace Commission.