Captivated by Hardeman County Jail Museum in Quanah, Texas.
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Have you ever heard about Hardeman County Jail Museum in Quanah, Texas? Probably you have never heard about it. You probably don’t even know where Quanah is.
Quanah is a small town situated on US-287 N between Ft. Worth and Amarillo. It is about 192 miles northwest of Ft. Worth and 146 southeasts of Amarillo.
They named the city after Quanah Parker, the last Chief of the Comanches Nation.
I found Hardeman County Jail Museum during our Spring Break camping and hiking trip around the Panhandle. The museum popped out when I was searching for places of interests around the area. It’s free, and I thought we could make a pit stop before we went to Copper Breaks State Park in the south of Quanah.
Hardeman County Jail Museum
Hardeman County Jail Museum was originally a county jail. It was built of native stone in 1890 when Quanah became the county seat.
The lower floor housed the sheriff’s office and living quarters, while the upper floor held prisoners’ cells. There were women and men cells in this small jail.
In 1973 they relocated the jail facilities, and in 1976 the structure was renovated by community effort for use as a museum. The lower floor features the history of Quanah and Hardeman County, while the upper floor cells have been left intact.
I’m glad we made a stop at Hardeman County Jail Museum. It was so interesting to see the museum collections and learn about the richest history of the jail and the town.
I tried to imagine life for the sheriff’s family with the inmates ‘living’ above them. There’s a long, narrow opening on the wall in one room that used to be the bed for the children as well as a collection of western life, and several others in the other rooms downstairs.
This museum may be small, but it is rich with history. Do stop when you pass the town and have extra time.
It took us about an hour and a half to browse this place, combined with Quanah, Acme and Pacific Depot Museum, right behind the jail.
If the jail museum is closed, go to the Depot Museum, where the volunteers will take you for a private tour of the jail.
Address: 105 Green Street, Quanah, TX. Phone: 940-663-5272.
Hours of Operation: 10.00 – 15.00, Monday – Saturday; other times by appointment.
Entrance Fee: Free of charge.
Quanah, Acme, and Pacific Depot Museum.
I didn’t expect to see a beautiful historical depot in Quanah. The exterior is stucco, a Spanish style with red Ludowici Seville tile roof. Many believe this two-story structure, built on Mercer Street in 1908, is one of the best examples of a historical depot in Texas.
The depot museum houses an extensive collection of artifacts and exhibits of the surrounding area.
Items from Hardeman County’s pioneer and railroad days occupy the first floor. You can also find items from Lane Frost and Quanah Parker.
The exhibits on the second floor are the Veteran’s Room, Quanah Cotton Oil Mill, Schools, Masonic Lodge, Space Room furnished by NASA and the Smithsonian Institute, and several others.
It was interesting to see how many collections they have for a museum in the small town. We found extensive information about Quanah Parker and his stuff in this museum.
But what surprised us the most was the Space Room. They dedicated the exhibit to a hometown boy. He was born in Quanah, graduated from Quanah High School, and was selected to be an astronaut in the Apollo program by NASA. Unfortunately, he didn’t go to the moon because he died in an automobile accident in 1967.
If we didn’t have to move to the other place that afternoon, we could spend more than an hour and a half at these two museums. My son and his friend had fun learning from one exhibit to the other exhibits. They both left with a bag filled with pamphlets, games, snacks, and a book.
Oh, there was a world map on the wall that people from all over the world who visited the museum could pin their country. It was hard to believe when my son said, “Mommy! You’re not the first Indonesian to visit this museum!” Aaah.
The Quanah, Acme, and Pacific Depot Museum is listed on the National Register of Historical Places. It’s been said that Quanah Parker claimed the Quanah, Acme & Pacific as his railroad.
Address: 102 Mercer Street, Quanah, TX 79252. Ph.: 940-663-5272, 940-839-8066.
Hours of Operation: 10.00 – 15.00, Monday – Saturday; other times by appointment.
Entrance Fee: Free of charge.
Thank you for helping me spread the news about this museum by sharing this article on your social media. And, as always, pin it for later.
I was born and raised in Quanah, TX. I want to thank you all for your generous comments about the museums. We are all mighty proud of our little town. Come back and see us again sometime.
Quanah really surprised us! Next time we go that direction, we will make another stop. Thank you!
It is posts like these and thanks to people like you we get to know about these hidden gems that are not so widely promoted. I have never been around this area but if I was to I would definitely visit Hardeman County Jail Museum in Quanah, Texas. The museum looks lie it has stood time in history and has so many stories to tell of the people who have gone through these walls in time. A good collection of artifacts and well preserved. A tough life to send ever a few days in the small cell.
I think a lot of people focus more on big things, but forgot to promote hidden gems along their trips.
Such an interesting history! I have never visited a prison before, and I would be interesting in taking a tour of this Hardeman County Jail Museum in Texas. I am keen in gaining knowledge on world history and this surely will be fun for me.
Still, visiting a prison museum like this made me nervous a bit. What if the door stuck? What if the tour guide lock us in there? lol.
I’m one of the ‘never heard of Quanah’ guys! The jail looks absolutely tiny though. It seems like quite an interesting place to visit and learn more about. Sad story about the astronaut too
I think they built the cells tiny so people would think twice before making a bad decision. Haha…
Very interesting! The only prisons I have visited are Alcatraz in San Francisco, and a museum in Finland. I love these kind of quick stops along our travels that teach us so much about the history. The story of the astronaut is so sad. Think about it, you are on your way to make your dream come true but then such a tragedy happens. Great post!
We were shocked when we found out about the astronaut. The city is so small that you never thought there would be someone from there was about to make a world’s history. Some information that you won’t find if you don’t make a road trip or a drive through a small towns.
You’re right, I haven’t heard of either Hardeman County Jail or Quanah, but I love coming across places like this on my travels, especially when it’s free. Looks like a fun find.
Yes, it was! We passed the town several times and never thought about stopping until this trip. Indeed,it’s a fun find.
A jail museum sure sounds interesting. It is distressing to see the small cells in hardeman county jail museum. It’s a good place to learn about the history. Loved the ancient typewriter though.
I just couldn’t imagine how was life spending in that small cell. Especially for the sheriff’s family who lived in the first floor.
The Hardeman County Jail Museum sounds captivating indeed. How sad to learn that the little boy who was selected by NASA to be an astronaut in the Apollo program died in such a stupid accident! I’d love to visit this museum if I ever make it to Quanah, Texas.
We never know when tragedy happens. It must be a big lost for the city.
I have never to Texas…but your post makes me wanna go. The County Jail Museum looks like such a valuable place. It s always great that such places are preserved. Thank you for sharing the tips
Too bad not too many people think about making a stop here. I hope this article will help though.
Thanks for sharing this interesting article. I have never heard of Quanah. I was amazed at that small space they call a bed for the children. I loved your photos of all the artifacts.
My son and his friend were like “seriously?” when they heard about the small space. They just couldn’t imagine it.