Old El Paso County Jail Museum
Located in San Elizario, just about 17.5 miles south-southeast of El Paso, your group will find the Old El Paso County Jail Museum, the history museum located in the former El Paso County Jailhouse.
The jail was first built in 1850, out of adobe bricks and cottonwood logs around steel cell blocks. It served as the official county jail from 1850-1866, as well as 1868 to 1873, the time periods when San Elizario was the 1st and 3rd El Paso County seat. The building housed both the jail and courtroom.
Today this site is an official Texas historic landmark, holding an interpretive heritage museum inside that features various exhibits relative to the specific aspect of the site. It is operated by the San Elizario Geneology and Historical Society.
One of the main draws to the jail is its legendary connection with Billy the Kid. It is said that Billy freed the only man to ever escape this jail, Melquiades Seguro. Each 3rd Sunday of the month during March-November you can watch the Old West reenactors Los Pistoleros de San Elizario put on the Billy the Kid Breakout Show, happening at 1 pm and 3 pm.
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