Built in 1919, this historic jail served San Augustine County for more than 80 years before operations moved to the John W. Mitchell Law Enforcement Center in 2000. The building briefly housed the county probate office but was eventually vacated due to health concerns.

By the 1970s, two layers of stucco had left the structure deteriorating and abandoned. Thanks to the San Augustine Garden Club, local citizens, and preservation advocates, the jail was restored and reopened in 2017 as the San Augustine Law Enforcement Museum. The site was officially re-dedicated on March 2, 2018, and now holds designations as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, a National Register property, and a State Antiquities Landmark.

What You’ll Find Inside:

• Texana Research Library – A resource for exploring Texas history.
• County Records Archive – Access local records for your own research.
• Rolling History Kiosk – View powerful images of San Augustine captured by photographers Russell Lee (1939) and John Vachon (World War II era).
• Historical Timelines – Trace the story of San Augustine and the early Mission Dolores (1717/1721).
• Local Items for Sale – Take home keepsakes that celebrate the county’s heritage.