Lower Lake Stone Jail
Encyclopedia
Lower Lake Stone Jail, in Lower Lake, California
, claimed to be the smallest jail
in the United States
, was erected in 1876 of stone locally quarried and reinforced with iron. During the days of the first quicksilver
operations of the Sulphur Bank Mine
, lasting from 1873 to 1883, rapid town growth and the urgent need for civil order necessitated the building of a jail. Stephen Nicolai, one of the first stonemasons in Lower Lake, built the jail from local materials with the help of Theodore and John Copsey.
The tiny jail is now defunct, and has been designated California Historical Landmark
#429.
Lower Lake, California
Lower Lake is a census-designated place in Lake County, California, USA. Lower Lake is located east-southeast of Kelseyville, at an elevation of 1371 feet...
, claimed to be the smallest jail
Jail
A jail is a short-term detention facility in the United States and Canada.Jail may also refer to:In entertainment:*Jail , a 1966 Malayalam movie*Jail , a 2009 Bollywood movie...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, was erected in 1876 of stone locally quarried and reinforced with iron. During the days of the first quicksilver
Mercury (element)
Mercury is a chemical element with the symbol Hg and atomic number 80. It is also known as quicksilver or hydrargyrum...
operations of the Sulphur Bank Mine
Sulphur Bank Mine
The Sulphur Bank Mine is located near Clearlake Oaks and Clear Lake in Lake County, California. The mine became one of the most noted mercury producers in the world....
, lasting from 1873 to 1883, rapid town growth and the urgent need for civil order necessitated the building of a jail. Stephen Nicolai, one of the first stonemasons in Lower Lake, built the jail from local materials with the help of Theodore and John Copsey.
The tiny jail is now defunct, and has been designated California Historical Landmark
California Historical Landmark
California Historical Landmarks are buildings, structures, sites, or places in the state of California that have been determined to have statewide historical significance by meeting at least one of the criteria listed below:...
#429.