Orange County Jail

ClassificationsPhotographs

Subject Orange County Jail

Datec. 1897

Made AtSanta Ana, California, United States, North America

MediumPhotographic print

DimensionsOverall: 4 x 8 in. (10.2 x 20.3 cm)

Credit LineTerry E. Stephenson Collection

Object number6651

DescriptionOrange County Jail before County Court House built; Dr. J.G. Baily's home in background; later Dr. Baileys site became site of St. Ann's Inn.
See photo. 6677 and 6672 for other glimpses of Baily house.
Jail built about 1897 on Wm. Spurgeon Block / lot costing $8000. after formation of Orange Co. in 1889. Plans by Dennis and Farwell, L.A. Architects. Cost to county about $23,000.00 . Faced Sycamore St. with 6th st on the left 8th on the right, backed on Wwst St. now known as Broadway.
Glossy reprint 6x10 presented by Title Insurance and Trust company, Santa Ana Branch.
NOTES; for E.Evans From Samuel Armor"s History of Orange County Calif 1911 pages 8-9:
built about 1897 on Wm Spurgeon Block, purchased fro W.H. Spurgeon for $8000. after formation of Or. Co. in 1889. Not long after the purchase of the site for the Co. bldgs. the Bd. of Supervisors took steps for erection of commodious and substantial county jail. Provisions were made in the tax levy to raise the funds by a direct tax; the plans of Dennis & Farwell, L.A. architects were adopted, and the contract for erection of bldg. awarded to Hultreen & Bergstrom of L.A. who were lowest bidders. This firm was hampered throughout work by lack of capitial, and certified bills to the suupervisors for payment in advance of sums due on the bldg., created friction with the Board. it aldo quarreled with Hallk's Safe & Lock Co. and protested against the full payment of that company's bills for steel and iron work and locked up the bldg. Hoping to compel the board to make terms with them. Instead of doing so however the supervisors took forcible possission to the bldg. and had it completed according to the plans and specifications, the cost being charged to the contractors. Thus were the public interests protected and the unfortunate complications cleared away with as little loss as possible to all concerned. The entire cost of the jail to the county was about $23,000.00
The jail faced Sycamore St. with 6th St. at the left, 8th St. on the right and backed in the right background was on Broadway. The house of Dr. j.G. Bailey #34932 in the right background was on Broadway, at the time of phot. known as West St. The present old County Court House was built in 1901 on the left of the jail, facing 6th. St. and in some early photos. of the County Court House to roof of the jail can be seen.

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