Old Taylor County Courthouse and Jail
Also known as: Buffalo Gap Jail
Why it's listed
Built in 1879-80 of sandstone, the old Taylor County courthouse and jail in Buffalo Gap was the county's first public building and is now the oldest structure in the community. The two-story, hip-roofed building was erected by the contracting firm of Martin, Byrne and Johnston. Small flared "loophole" windows on the second floor of three facades allowed rifle fire with little exposure, and cannon balls were reportedly set in the walls to discourage escape. Buffalo Gap was named temporary county seat in 1878 and expected to grow, but the Texas and Pacific Railroad bypassed it, and within two years the seat moved to Abilene. The building continued as a jail for some years, then housed an Odd Fellows lodge from 1891 to 1942, a residence until 1956, and later a museum started by attorney Ernie Wilson. The exterior has changed little, though doors were replaced and mortar has deteriorated. Restoration as a museum was planned.
Significance in brief: It was the first public building in Taylor County and is the oldest structure in Buffalo Gap, the last remnant of the old town. It reflects the town's lost expectations after the Texas and Pacific Railroad bypassed it and the county seat moved to Abilene. Its exterior is largely intact and it has served many uses over nearly a century.
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 78002984, listed June 9, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | William St. between North and Elm Sts., Buffalo Gap |
|---|---|
| County | Taylor County |
| Listed | June 9, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78002984 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1879-80 |
| Architect / builder | Martin, Bryne & Johnston |
| Areas of significance | Politics/Government |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as fair to good and largely unaltered on the exterior, with some deteriorated mortar. It was listed as unoccupied, and the owner planned restoration and reopening as a museum. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 32.28614, -99.82711 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
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 78002984.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q110001337
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.