Courthouse and Jail

The more important a landmark, the more postcards people produced of it. Luce County residents were extremely proud of their grand courthouse building and related Sheriff’s Residence and Jail. Both ornate buildings were built in the 1890s.

Most regrettably, this unique and irreplaceable courthouse was torn down and destroyed in the 1970s. What a shame.

The Sherrif’s Residence and Jail building was saved by the heroic efforts of the Luce County Historical Society. Today it houses their museum.

This postcard is undated, but probably dates from around 1906 (I have another card from the same series which was postmarked then). On the back, the unnamed sender (writing to “Mrs. Larson”) remarks, “haven’t we a dandy courthouse and jail?”
This postcard, from 1909, shows the the view from the other side.
This postcard is undated, but is probably from around 1915. It is mistakenly labeled as “court house,” but is actually the Sheriff’s Residence, with the jail attached on back. It was standard practice back then for the jail inmates to be fed by the sheriff’s wife.
This postcard is dated 1920. Looks like they forgot to finish coloring the turret.