WHITE RIVER VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Remembering the Past, Looking Toward the Future
WHITE RIVER VALLEY At the October, 1912 term of the Taney County Circuit Court, a Grand Jury considered procuring land and building a jail out of surplus funds in the county treasury. Taney County was using the Forsyth City Jail to house inmates, and needed a jail of its own. Based upon the grand jury’s recommendation, the county acquired land from Jesse A. Tolerton and R.C. Ford and selected C.C. Stiffler to construct the building.
On September 23, 1913, the court declared “said Jail and supplement contract therein have been fulfilled according to the terms of the contract.” The total payment to Mr. Stiffler for the two-story concrete structure was $4,288. With all cells downstairs, the upstairs provided an apartment for the Sheriff’s family.
In 1950, the federal government began acquiring land for the construction of Bull Shoals Lake. Forsyth was relocated above the flood plain, and the old jail was replaced with a new facility. The old building, located on a hillside above the flood plain, was used for various civic purposes for the next 40 years, including the Boy Scouts, the American Legion, Head Start, and as a city storage facility.
Forsyth native Jerry Gideon was the vital link between a deteriorating historic building and the need for a permanent home for the White River Valley Historical Society. With high hopes and little money, the Society took possession of the building and made plans for restoration.
Initial repairs included a new roof and sewer and water lines provided by the city of Forsyth. Thanks primarily to members Bob Miley and Jerry Gideon, the building was cleaned and windows replaced. A gas heating system was donated. The plumbing and electrical systems were repaired, the upstairs walls were painted, and sheetrock was removed downstairs, revealing a surprising treasure… graffiti covered walls.
In 2001 the remaining upstairs windows and the south door were replaced, the electrical system was upgraded, the upstairs walls were repainted, and a more efficient electrical heating system was donated and installed by member Bob Hartman. Floors were refinished and walls were repainted by President Jo Albers and a crew of volunteers. In the spring of 2002, a ramp was built to provide wheelchair access to the south balcony.
The jail served as the headquarters of the White River Valley Historical Society until 2009. At that time, membership had outgrown our space, and we moved to our new museum and offices in downtown Forsyth.
At present, structural work on deteriorating concrete is our most pressing concern. The driveway and parking also need improvement. When that is accomplished, the goal is to restore the building as a museum, reflecting its use in the early part of the 20th century.
Our goal is to restore the Old Jail for public tours in the near future. Upstairs, the sheriff’s quarters will give a glimpse into life in the early 20th century. Downstairs, visitors will view historical graffitti, displays on legal history and get an idea of what “doing time” was like.
If you have domestic items or building fixtures from the period 1911-1930, or artifacts from Taney County’s legal history, consider donating to the WRVHS. Materials accepted for our collection or cash donations are tax-deductible.
Photos courtesy of CDG Engineers
