OLD WILKES JAIL

WILKESBORO, NC

The Old Wilkes Jail is a historic building located in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Constructed in 1860, the jail served as the county's primary detention center until 2010. The brick building features a distinctive octagonal shape, with four levels and a central atrium. The jail was designed to house up to 60 inmates, with separate cells for men and women.

The interior of the Old Wilkes Jail features narrow corridors, high ceilings, and heavy iron doors. The upper levels contain small cells with bunk beds and basic amenities, while the ground floor includes offices, a booking area, and a small exercise yard.

Over the years, the Old Wilkes Jail has been the site of several notable events. In 1895, a group of prisoners attempted to escape by tunneling out of the jail, but were caught before they could make their getaway. In 1929, a mob of angry citizens stormed the jail and lynched two prisoners accused of murdering a local woman.

Today, the Old Wilkes Jail is a popular tourist attraction and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building has been restored and converted into a museum, featuring exhibits on the history of the jail and the criminal justice system in Wilkes County.

OLD WILKES JAIL is a Historical Societies, Historic Preservation in WILKESBORO NC. US MID #8403700246

The museum is classed as HSC (Historical Societies, Historic Preservation). It comes under American Alliance of Museums (AAM) region: Southeastern (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia). Total revenue from most recent IRS 990 Form: $ 327,260 from tax period 201212 (YYYYMM).

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Contact OLD WILKES JAIL

• website: http://www.wilkesnc.org

WILKES HERITAGE MUSEUM INCORPORATED
PO BOX 935
WILKESBORO
NC
28697-0935

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