I was taken on a tour of what was the
first New Tazewell Jail, believed to be around 100 years old or older. It is located behind the New Tazewell Meeing
Hall across the street from Duncan Lumber Company. Charles “Buddy” Duncan took me on the tour and described it as
follows. The first room was probably
where the jailor sat because of an opening for a chimney flew and in the back
what looks to be where a water pipe ran in and a hand pump was installed. It had only one large cell with a comode and
sink. He said that he had electricity
run to the building but that vandals had destroyed all the bulbs and
fixtures. Also picutred is what I
remember as being a Gulf Service Station run by Charlie Shell in what was
called “Little Mexico”, anything across the railroad tracks was refered as that
back in the 1930’s and 1940’s. You can
also see the reminenents of Dwight Englands Standard Oil Company, the Esso
Distributorship and a built in safe. I
think that Buddy said it was built by the Chittum Stone masons. Would love to hear anyone who knows anything
more about any of these buildings or stories of “Little Mexico”. Dana Love has sent four more pictures of the old New Tazewell Jail which I have added to the bottom of this page. Thanks Dana.
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