Union forces, which took over the town in 1861, used the jail for both military and civilian prisoners during the American Civil War. The building's contractor, John A. Schnable, built the structure from solid dolomite blocks, measuring , which were quarried nearby. The lower floor contains two windowless  stone cells for solitary confinement.
During the American Civil War, Union forces, which occupied the town in 1861, employed the jail to hold both military and civilian prisoners. The building's contractor, John A. Schnable, built it using solid dolomite blocks, measuring , from nearby quarries. The lower floor features two windowless stone cells for solitary confinement.