About
The Perry County Jail, also known as the Perry County Jail Museum, is a history museum and historic jail in Pinckneyville, Illinois. Built in 1871, the jail was the second county jail used by Perry County. The county's first jail was built in 1833-34 and was demolished to make room for the new jail; it was a two-story brick building measuring 14 by 16 feet on the interior, and it cost $750 to build. The legislature passed two separate private laws to enable Perry County to obtain funds for the second jail's construction: one in 1865 to permit a tax levy, and the other in 1867 to permit the issuance of bonds. Although the county quickly solicited architects' plans upon being permitted to issue bonds, four years passed before they announced their choice of the design created by Cincinnati architect Samuel Hannaford. The contractor was chosen in May, a superintendent named in July, and the building deemed complete in December.
