Old Colleton County Jail
National Register Listing
Street Address:
Jeffries Blvd., Walterboro, SC (Colleton County)
NRHP Nomination
Record Number:
S10817715004
Description and Narrative:
The Old Colleton County Jail is a stuccoed brick building built in 1855-56 by J. and B. Lucas of Charleston in the Gothic Revival style. The building is significant architecturally as a fine example of Gothic design in a cultural area where Gothic architecture is a rarity. Its architects, Edward C. Jones and Francis D. Lee, were well known in Charleston and throughout the state. They were in high demand at this time, with designs including courthouses, churches, college buildings, businesses and private residences all over South Carolina. The jail in part resembles a miniature, fortified castle. The front facade has crenellated parapets, turret-like structures at either corner, and a massive central tower above the main entrance. The main entrance is shielded by an extended, enclosed porch with buttresses and a central pointed archway entrance at the front and narrow slit windows on the sides. A large lancet window with hood mold is set in the massive central tower above the main entrance. Hood molds also accent the remaining windows on the front façade. Listed in the National Register May 14, 1971.
Period of Significance:
1856;1855 – 1856;19th century
Level of Significance:
Local
Area of Significance:
Architecture
National Register Determination:
listed
Date of Certification:
May 14 1971
