ozarks
roots
the people, places and traditions that make the ozarks home
History Behind Bars By Macie Thornhill
The Calaboose Jailhouse is the oldest standing building in the Springfield, Mo., area The Calaboose Jailhouse stands somewhat alone in the downtown area of Springfield, Mo. While it may look like a simple historic building to the ordinary eye, the history of this monument is rich. The Calaboose Jailhouse opened in 1892, making it the oldest standing building in the Springfield area. While the Calaboose never held any famous prisoners, it does have an interesting history.
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John Sellars, executive director of the History Museum on the Square, explained the Springfield Police Department itself opened in 1858. Around 1885, the police department was located on the second floor of the fire station on College Street. When the Calaboose was opened in 1892, it sat right behind the fire station, and police officers would watch the jailhouse from their perch. Fast forward to 1924, and the second level of the Calaboose, which had previously held female prisoners, now held the fire alarms for the fire station. The firefighters would report there when duty called. In the 1950s, the jailhouse utilized its four jail cells to hold municipal and small-crime prisoners. Serious prisoners were taken to the Greene County jail. Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com
AUGUST 31, 2020
