Webbers Falls Calaboose
The town's jail is now vacant. Pictured at left, it stands on the banks of the Arkansas River in Webbers Falls. Since before 1896, it has been the town's "calaboose."
On Webbers Falls Day, Saturday, June 13th, you can enter the cellblock and be "thrown back in time" to the days when outlaws looked through the flatiron bars of a cell's doorway. Each of the two cells is barely bigger than a king-size bed.
The Webbers Falls Calaboose is simple and plain to look at. Murderers and drunks alike reached through the cell doors to lift the dipper out of the pail. Water in a bucket hung from a hook outside each door. There was no such thing as running water. A chunk of ice never floated in the tepid water. It was all a prisoner got between meals.
A bucket in the cell's corner served as a toilet. The City of Webbers Falls installed commodes in the 1960's in a brief flirtation with restoring the town jail to use. Town elders wasted their efforts. Taking prisoners to the county seat was simpler by that late date. Improved roads and vehicles made the town's jail obsolete.
The circuit box in the front room's corner likely date from the era of the commodes. Early day outlaws went to jail by lantern light after sundown. When the town marshal returned to his own bed blocks away, the lantern and its light lit the way. Prisoners had to wait for the sun's rise the next morning before they could see very far. Even then, the absence of windows in the cells kept each of the two cells dark. The building's single door faces west.
Webbers Falls Day activities include a mixture of the old and modern events. The morning begins with an early pancake breakfast. If you miss the breakfast, drinks and refreshments will be available throughout the day. The Webbers Falls Chamber of Commerce is providing the mid-day meal of barbeque and chips. Nowhere else in the state can a person find a similar serving for a dollar!
If you wish, you can have your picture taken in one of Oklahoma's real jail. You may count your lucky stars when you realize you will never spend a night in the town's calaboose. Your souvenir photograph will nonetheless prove you "did time" in Webbers Falls.
You will also enjoy the tractor pull in the park. Competition between groaning mechanical beasts will continue until the judge announces a winner in the afternoon. Family members and visitors are both invited to root for their favorite competitor.
Visitors will enjoy the arts and crafts exhibits at the park. Between eleven o'clock and three in the afternoon, the Ritter Brothers Band with Wayne Ward will serenade the crowd with free country and western music.
On Webbers Falls Day, Saturday, June 13th, you can enter the cellblock and be "thrown back in time" to the days when outlaws looked through the flatiron bars of a cell's doorway. Each of the two cells is barely bigger than a king-size bed.
The Webbers Falls Calaboose is simple and plain to look at. Murderers and drunks alike reached through the cell doors to lift the dipper out of the pail. Water in a bucket hung from a hook outside each door. There was no such thing as running water. A chunk of ice never floated in the tepid water. It was all a prisoner got between meals.
A bucket in the cell's corner served as a toilet. The City of Webbers Falls installed commodes in the 1960's in a brief flirtation with restoring the town jail to use. Town elders wasted their efforts. Taking prisoners to the county seat was simpler by that late date. Improved roads and vehicles made the town's jail obsolete.
The circuit box in the front room's corner likely date from the era of the commodes. Early day outlaws went to jail by lantern light after sundown. When the town marshal returned to his own bed blocks away, the lantern and its light lit the way. Prisoners had to wait for the sun's rise the next morning before they could see very far. Even then, the absence of windows in the cells kept each of the two cells dark. The building's single door faces west.
Webbers Falls Day activities include a mixture of the old and modern events. The morning begins with an early pancake breakfast. If you miss the breakfast, drinks and refreshments will be available throughout the day. The Webbers Falls Chamber of Commerce is providing the mid-day meal of barbeque and chips. Nowhere else in the state can a person find a similar serving for a dollar!
If you wish, you can have your picture taken in one of Oklahoma's real jail. You may count your lucky stars when you realize you will never spend a night in the town's calaboose. Your souvenir photograph will nonetheless prove you "did time" in Webbers Falls.
You will also enjoy the tractor pull in the park. Competition between groaning mechanical beasts will continue until the judge announces a winner in the afternoon. Family members and visitors are both invited to root for their favorite competitor.
Visitors will enjoy the arts and crafts exhibits at the park. Between eleven o'clock and three in the afternoon, the Ritter Brothers Band with Wayne Ward will serenade the crowd with free country and western music.
Labels: Webbers Falls Calaboose
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