• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
RuralSWAlabama

RuralSWAlabama

Rural Southwest Alabama: Attractions

  • Region Map
  • By Attraction
  • By County
  • By Town
  • Open for Tours
  • More
  • Show Search
Hide Search

The Old Wilcox County Jail at Camden, AL (c. 1889)

Historic Jails | Camden in Wilcox County  

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

This building was Wilcox County ‘s third county jail. It was constructed in 1889 by L. Y. Tarrant for $4800. In 1960, jail operations were moved to a new facility. It is rare to find old jails still standing in Alabama, especially one with the features of this building. It contains superb brickwork and an ornate wooden porch of Victorian Era architectural design. The more attractive two-story front part of the jail probably was where the sheriff and his family lived. When this jail was built, state law required that the sheriff live on the premises in case there was a fire and the prisoners needed to be released plus his presence was added security.

This building is a contributing property to Camden’s Wilcox County Courthouse Historic District that’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). It is located at downtown Camden behind the old Wilcox County Courthouse (31.991917,-87.288833 – Google Maps).

Sources: 1) NRHP “Wilcox County Courthouse Historic District” Registration Form; 2) The Wilcox Progressive Era, June 2, 2010 Issue

Tags: alabama, black belt, camden, jail, wilcox county

Explore more

About This Website

Welcome to rural southwest Alabama. This website is dedicated to twelve counties located in rural southwest Alabama which includes a large portion of Alabama’s Black Belt area. This region is known for its rich and diverse heritage, historic homes and churches, and natural beauty. This website contains details about historic and interesting places that you will find in this area of Alabama.

PLEASE NOTE THAT MOST OF THE HOMES INCLUDED ARE PRIVATE RESIDENCES AND, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, ARE DRIVE BY ONLY.

We hope that you enjoy this website.

Be sure to like our Facebook page

Dedicated to the memory of Stacy Milstead Henson (1978-2008) & Inez “Sis” Watts (1924-2007).

Footer

Copyright © 2025

  • Facebook
  • Instagram