Along with the courthouse, the county jail is the one
building in town that was generally meant to last. Its
large stone walls and iron bars made sure that those
inside couldn't get out, and those on the outside
wouldn't want to come in.

Not every crime was conveniently perpetrated in the
county seat, however. So what could a small town law
enforcement officer do when he had to arrest a person
for some nefarious act, but could not transport the
accused until the next day?

He'd rely on the calaboose to hold those who strayed
from the law. A calaboose is a free standing, one room
concrete block usually situated behind the town center
(and in close proximity to the sheriff's office). The word
"calaboose" stems from the Spanish word for
"dungeon," calabozo, but in the vernacular, they are
referred to as the "hoosegow."  

Luckily for us, a few of these frontier-justice relics
remain. I've made it one of my missions to photograph
every calaboose I come across. And although the name
implies a rather sinister structure, I've yet to encounter
iron spikes or thumb screws. Instead, all calabooses
(or calabice?) are concrete block houses, with a door
and a small window, which would house a thief, cattle
rustler, or drunk for a night. In fact, the word "drunk
tank" immediately comes to mind!
The most well-known (and well-kept) calaboose
is the one in downtown Grapevine. Once the
overnight home to associates of the Barrow
Gang, the structure was moved from behind the
square to Main Street once Grapevine became a
tourist destination.
Come on in, my pretty....!

If you have any photos of a calaboose, or
know where one is so I can photograph it,
please send the info my way!

robin@redriverhistorian.com
My favorite calaboose by far sits a block off of OK 34 in Leedey. This
well preserved jail looks like it's still in use, too...
... because it has the facilities to keep over-night
guests!
The calaboose in Kemp, Texas, has some interesting
history hiding behind its brick walls. The first time
Bonnie Parker accompanied Clyde Barrow on a robbery,
she, Clyde, and accomplice Ralph Fults found
themselves in a shoot-out from which only Clyde
escaped. Captured by local police and townsmen,
Bonnie and Ralph, who was injured, were locked up in
the Kemp calaboose until they could be transported to
Kaufman, the county seat, in the morning. Most citizens
of the town peered into the calaboose to get a good look
at the two bandits, who were rumored to be Pretty Boy
Floyd and his moll (since no one had heard of the
Barrow Gang at that time yet). Eyewitnesses recall
Bonnie hissing at their prying eyes and yelling out for a
doctor for poor Ralph. This was the only time Bonnie
Parker ever spent in jail.
The Frisco, TX calaboose sits in an overgown lot and is
used mostly as a tool storage shed.
Room For
One
Donna Walters sent me this great picture of a calaboose in Keota, Oklahoma (Haskell County, in
the Sans Bois Mountains). Thank you so much for sharing your photo, Donna!

Her message reads:

Hello Robin,

Just wanted to share a really cool calaboose with you which is in Keota, Haskell County, Oklahoma.
I had a few relatives who spent a lot of nights in this jail after having a few "choc" beers or white
lightning
made in the hills of the San Bois, Oklahoma mountain ranges.

I am including a photo which is fairly good. The jail is unkempt and the town of Keota doesn't seem
concerned with saving this historical building so maybe it can go online and will be remembered
through photos. The last time I saw the jail it was overgrown with weeds and trees were beginning to
grow up through it and around it. This jail house is next to the Mill off of Hwy 9 which goes through the
center of Keota, OK.

If you need any more information on the jail let me know. I have a couple of family stories about the
jail and especially one from an old timer Great Uncle of mine who slept in it quite often.