1893 Union County Jail

Union County Jail built 1892 - Corner of Stewart and Crowell Streets

1914 Sanborn Map

Monroe City Hall, constructed on the north side of the public square in 1847-48, served as the Union County Jail until a new one was built in 1892.

During Sheriff J. Perry Horne’s term of office, elected in November 1884, the 1892 jail was built at the corner of Stewart and Crowell Streets. It served the county until the occupancy of a modern jail in what was known then as the new courthouse. 

In 1902 Stack & Beasley wrote, "B.A. Horn, the popular sheriff of Union County, was born in Lane's Creek Township in 1859 and is the son of ex-sheriff J.P. Horn. He was brought up on the farm and followed farming as an occupation until 1884. In that year he became deputy sheriff under his father and held the position for ten years.

"In 1892 he was elected chief of police of the city of Monroe and served in that capacity for a short time. So efficiently did he discharge his duties as an officer that, upon the voluntary retirement of his father as sheriff, in 1896, he was chosen by the people as their sheriff. In that year the county was carried by a good majority by the Populists, yet Sheriff Horn was elected as a Democrat by 123 majority. At the next election in 1898 he received a majority of over 1300 and in 1900 there was no candidate against him. He is popular with all classes of people and no county in the State ever had a better or more capable sheriff than B.A. Horn...In the service of process and the conduct of his office he follows the requirements of the law strictly. He collects the taxes promptly and has always made his settlements at the time provided by the law.

"Sheriff Horn resides in our splendid jail and the apartments occupied by the family are elegantly furnished, the parlor containing both a piano and an organ.

"The prisoners all speak in praise of their treatment and say they are well fed and neatly cared for. Our plucky young sheriff is altogether an ideal officer, a superb citizen and a noble hearted man."

Circa 1893 - Perhaps this is the parlor in what is noted on the 
1914 Sanborn Map. The structure faced Stewart Street.

The jail was located in the back portion of the structure.