The Struggle to Build the First King County Jail
After years of delay, the King County Commissioners finally moved to secure land for a permanent jail—using $3,500 in county warrants to purchase a lot between Jefferson and Mill Streets.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
The County Commissioners have at last taken action in regard to the building of a jail in this county. At their meeting last week they purchased from Mr. H. L. Yesler, for $3,500 in county warrants, lot 1 and fractional lots 5 and 6, in block 36, Boren’s addition. These lots are situated on 3d street, and extend from Jefferson to Mill. They comprise rather more than two lots, sufficient for jail and court house both. In accordance with an act to provide for the erection of a jail in King County, passed at the last legislature, the commissioners are preparing plans and specifications for said jail, and will, about next March, advertise for proposals for the building of the same, said proposals to be handed in by April. The act requires the jail to be built of brick or stone, and not to exceed $12,000 in cost.
“The commissioners are preparing plans and specifications for said jail, and will, about next March, advertise for proposals for the building of the same.”
In 1876, King County was finally moving to build a permanent correctional facility in the heart of what is now Pioneer Square/First Hill. This story echoes the perpetual, high-stakes political and fiscal friction that characterizes Seattle's ongoing debates over public safety infrastructure and property development.
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