612-614 E. Morgan

          Built in 1847-48, the Cooper County Jail is significant as being one of the oldest, if not the oldest, existing county jail in the state of Missouri.  In operation from 1848 until 1978 the structure was known as the oldest continually operated jail in the state.  The jail was built by a local contractor, William Spiers, using hand labor supplied by slaves.   The jailer’s residence was built in 1871 on land previously leased to the city of Boonville for hay scales.  Records show that this brick addition consisted of three rooms and a hall.  Later that year a second story was authorized as well as a rear unattached one story brick kitchen with cellar and a porch to its west.  The most famous of the many prisoners associated with the jail was Frank James.  The area around the jail has been the site of numerous hangings with the last being held inside the jail barn.