National Register of Historic Places

Old Pickens Jail

Pickens, Pickens County, South Carolina
Listed
April 10, 1979
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
79002390

About this property

Old Pickens Jail, also known as Pickens County Jail, is a historic jail located at Pickens, Pickens County, South Carolina. It was built in 1903, and is a two-story, brick building with a two-story crenellated tower. It was expanded in 1928 to provide additional space for the cellblock. The jail closed in August 1975, and has since been used as a historical museum and art gallery. This building gained infamy when Willie Earle was forcefully removed from the Pickens County Jail by a mob on February 16, 1947. When confronted by the mob, the jailer's response was: "I guess you boys know what you're doing." Willie Earle was subsequently lynched nearby in Greenville County, SC. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

Location

Pickens, Pickens County, South Carolina
34.88087, -82.70572

Categories

LAWPOLITICS/GOVERNMENT
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Overview
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The Land
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Geology
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Conflict & War
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The Civil War
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The Soldiers
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Native Heritage
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Settlement
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The Community
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Rivers & Rail
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Historical Maps
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Finds & Access
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Nearby Historic Sites

Hagood-Mauldin House
Industrial
0.3 mi
Griffin-Christopher House
Industrial
0.3 mi
Hagood Mill
Early Republic
3.3 mi
Williams-Ligon House
Industrial
5 mi
Liberty Colored High School
Industrial
6.4 mi

Nearby Battles

Siege of Fort Prince George
1760Colonial
12.3 mi

Questions about this property

When was Old Pickens Jail listed on the National Register?

Old Pickens Jail was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 10, 1979.

What type of historic resource is Old Pickens Jail?

Old Pickens Jail is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Old Pickens Jail?

The period of significance for Old Pickens Jail is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Old Pickens Jail?

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