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The Kings County Sheriff's Office and Jail was constructed about 1897 and used as such until 1964. The building was condemned following the discovery of the sheriff office's ceiling strewn upon his desk and surrounding floor area. With the unexpected "cave-in" came additional inspection of the old structure. A new and much larger sheriff's office and jail were soon constructed about one mile to the west on Lacey Boulevard. The unique old edifice was constructed to house sixty prisoners becoming overcrowded beyond imagined capacity with two hundred fifteen inmates at its closing. The jail's purpose was for temporary incarceration which was not to exceed a period of one year. It was strictly a county jail, not a prison facility. Not having its own kitchen as such, meals were brought into the building and served from a window. Four solitary confinement cells to the west of the main floor are still in place even if currently used for other purposes, mostly storage. Over the years, the gallant, harming old edifice has been the home of the Kings County Art League's gallery, eateries and combination restaurant and bar facilities. The front patio addition for open air enjoyment was inaugurated about 1990. Titled "The Bastille", it welcomes visitors at varied time periods. Located to the east of the old Courthouse building, across the park from the Civic Auditorium, it is home to Jazz Concerts in the summertime. There is an informational schedule of events board located at the northeast corner of the parking lot. (559-583-9544) |
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