Mills County Jailhouse
Why it's listed
Standing at the Courthouse Square in Goldthwaite, this two-story Victorian jail was built in 1887-1888, soon after Mills County was organized. Green and Nichols of Lampasas won the building contract for $4,550, while the Diebold Safe and Lock Company supplied the steel and ironwork for $4,300. The walls are native limestone laid in coursed ashlar with Cyclopean rustication, topped by an iron cornice with console brackets. The first floor held the jailer's office and apartment, and the second held the cells. The cell block was considered advanced for its time: the caged area is set back from the outer walls by a three-foot run, doors curve outward for strength, and a master locking system works with two handles. Described as the first public building in the county, the jail was in constant use until September 9, 1977, when it was abandoned because it no longer met modern jail standards. County officials hoped to restore it.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents it as the first public building in Mills County and a long-serving jail, in use from 1888 until September 9, 1977. It is also valued for its late 19th-century architecture and its advanced steel and iron cell work, supplied by the Diebold Safe and Lock Company. Reviewers noted it as a well-preserved example of late 19th-century public architecture with documented integrity of materials and craftsmanship.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 79002994, listed May 8, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Fisher and 5th Sts., Goldthwaite |
|---|---|
| County | Mills County |
| Listed | May 8, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79002994 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 (specific dates 1887-1888) |
| Architect / builder | Green and Nichols, Lampasas, Texas |
| Architectural style | Victorian, with Cyclopean rustication limestone walls and an iron cornice described as a version of Greek Doric |
| Areas of significance | Politics/Government, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Unoccupied and publicly owned by the county; the jail was abandoned in September 1977 because its interior no longer met modern jail standards. The county was working on renovation plans. Described as unaltered and in excellent condition. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 31.44953, -98.56903 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 79002994.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q107320093
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.