Cheboygan County Jail & Sheriffs Residence ~ 1882

Historical Society of Cheboygan County, Michigan

HISTORIC JAIL BUILDING

Built in 1882, the original jail was located on the south end of the Sheriff’s Residence. It consisted of cells and an office where the detainees were booked before being placed in the cells. In 1912 a wing extending to the west of the original cells was built. This two-story wing was then used to house male prisoners while the female prisoners were lodged in the original jail cells. The cells on the upper story of the addition were never used by prisoners as there was no fire escape and the upper story was therefore deemed unsafe for occupancy.

Today the sheriff’s office is used by those doing research using artifacts and documents in the museum collection. The original cells have been converted for storage with one room created to house a collection of graduation class photos which extend into 1965. These photos are displayed using special museum lighting purchased with assistance of a grant from Presque Isle Electric & Gas.

The 1912 addition features displays. A small lobby secured by a locked door with only a metal screened opening is the entrance to the 1912 addition. This would provide maximum security while allowing a prisoner only to see his visitor and speak with him.

Through this door is a guard walk which encircles the jail cells. The guard walk was used for prisoner observation. Barred windows in this secure area allow daylight, starlight and moonlight to enter the cell areas. The master control box for the cell doors is located here. Separate levers control each individual cell door; one master lever opens or closes all the doors in unison. The action of these levers causes the slam sound which probably was the source of the word “slammer” to mean prison or jail.

In order to enter the cells area, it is necessary to pass through either of two dead-bolted, barred doors which contain locking mechanisms accessible only from the outside by special slotted keys. These doors open on an interior walkway used for prisoner exercise. From this walkway, the individual cells are accessed. The dead bolted doors contain small through trays on which books, food or other articles could be placed for prisoner collection thereby eliminating then necessity of opening the outer doors.

Cell # 1: Medical display

Medical equipment and supplies, surgical instrument cabinet, pictures of Cheboygan Sanitorium and the Community Memorial Hospital (currently a small part of the Cheboygan Memorial Hospital complex) Architect and engineer of that hospital was Joseph F. Doyle of Cheboygan.

Cell # 2: Sample Cell 1914

A single sink, flush toilet, steam radiator and 2 bunk beds with possibly small trunk or two was the typical arrangement in 1914 as shown in this display.

Cell # 3: Antique Days Pictures

A cabinet with winged display boards contains a variety of pictures of persons and places in Cheboygan history.

Cell # 4: Community Services

Uniforms and gear from State Police, Firefighters, Sheriff, and City fill the interior of this area. On the exterior bars are: list of Chiefs of Police & Marshals, list of County Sheriffs, list of Fire Department Chiefs and pictures of the respective Services.

Cell # 5: City Artifacts

Original wooden water pipes from Du ncan City lean against the cell bars. An original wall map of the City of Cheboygan including Duncan City graces the wall above a display of Rittenhouse Rustic Furniture: chair, desk, cabinet and cedar chest. Historic bricks from the original brick manufacturing company which was located near the Tannery area off US 27 share floor space with bricks from the former Cheboygan County Court House and with Metropolitan Block bricks. Two different style antique voting boxes complete this display.

Cell # 6: Broadcast Media

An antique glass lantern slide projector with hand-painted glass slides is one of the main features of this display. Pre and post World War II radios, TV’s, film projectors and one of the 1st tape recorders by Bell & Howell, as well as a Norelco reel to reel tape recorder round out the offerings. Note the small portable wooden radio, also.

Cell # 7: 1940’s Media

Edison’s Rotary Mimeograph by AB Dick Mfg. 1897—1903 model.

Michigan Bell Telephone Company test board for trouble on the line.

One of the first Motorola combo radio/record players.

One of the first RCA Victor TV’s

Zenith radios and Belmont TV

Cell # 8: Musical

Cheboygan Michigan City Band and American Legion #95 Drum & Bugle Core instruments.

Final Guard Walkway area

Like the whole guard walkway, this area contains antique tools and instruments. Of interest is the small display of early hair curling irons, an old price list of the Metropolitan Barber Shop in Cheboygan and the original Helene Curtis, Duchess Model electric/chemical permanent waving machine.