Cheyenne County Jail - Eastern Colorado Historical Society Museum
Cheyenne County
The Cheyenne County Old Jail building was designed by Robert S. Roeschlaub in the Romanesque style, and completed in 1894 . Roeschlaub was a notable architect in the 19th century, who specialized in schools, civic buildings, and even jails like this one. The Cheyenne County Jail was built five years after the county was formed and is one of the oldest remaining structures in Cheyenne Wells. The jail is significant for its depiction of Roeschlaub’s work, its demonstration of high artistic values in design, and for its association with historic events.
The building served as a jail for 67 years, after which it was converted into a museum. Currently, the building is home to the Old Jail Museum, which is maintained by the Eastern Colorado Historical Society. Now work on the foundation and exterior of the building is required to stabilize the structure and to prevent water infiltration which is damaging interior and exterior historic materials. The project will address issues which are critical to the long-term preservation of the building, allowing for many years of continued use.
Learn more about the National Register listing for this building.