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La Vonna (Vonnie) Rea Riddell Fox was among attendees who assisted Burnet County Judge James Oakley with the grand opening ceremony of the refurbished Historic Jail on Thursday, Feb. 10 at the site, which will now be used as a visitors center and museum. -
La Vonna (Vonnie) Rea Riddell Fox was among attendees who assisted Burnet County Judge James Oakley with the grand opening ceremony on Thursday, Feb. 10 at the site. Photos by Jeff Shabram/The Highlander -
Renovations were being paid for with hotel occupancy tax (HOT) funds collected by the county. The building was previously utilized as the juvenile probation office and now has all new walls and ceilings. -
Descendants of Riddell, who died Feb. 11, 978, were present at the ceremonial opening of the venue which is now a tourism center and museum. -
The structure, 109 South Pierce, is located at the intersection of Washington Street on the Burnet County Courthouse Square. The building, which was the original Burnet County jail, was initially constructed in 1884. -
The Old Historic Jail, 109 South Pierce, which will become a tourist attraction, will now be the site of the Burnet County tourism center with museum features for public touring. Artifacts and antique pieces were added to the décor to preserve history. -
Burnet County officials, community leaders and descendants of the late Sheriff Wallace Riddell toured the building Thursday, Feb. 10 following the unveiling of renovations of the historic Burnet County jail.
Burnet County officials, community leaders and descendants of the late Sherrif Wallace Riddell gathered Thursday, Feb. 10 for the unveiling of renovations of the historic Burnet County jail.
The structure, 109 South Pierce, is located at the intersection of Washington St. on the Burnet County Courthouse Square.
The building was initially constructed in 1884.
Officials applauded the work of crews working on the renovations at the historic Burnet County jail, 109 South Pierce.
The legendary statue of Burnet County Sheriff Wallace Riddell, who lived and worked at the site for 40 years, and an affixed granite monument were moved from the courthouse to the lawn of the old historic jail on July 16, 2016.
The renovation project included not only a complete refurbishment of flooring, ceilings and inmate cells but a new HVAC, electrical, plumbing and sprinkler systems, outdoor landscaping and lighting. Refurbished features include rebuilt windows and jail mechanisms fixed back to functioning order.
The work on the historic Burnet County Jail, which will become a tourist attraction, will now be the site of the Burnet County tourism center with museum features for public touring. Artifacts and antique pieces were added to the décor to preserve history. Renovations were being paid for with hotel occupancy tax (HOT) funds collected by the county. The building was previously utilized as the juvenile probation office and now has all new walls and ceilings.
Descendants of Riddell, who died Feb. 11, 1978, were present at the ceremony. La Vonna (Vonnie) Rea Riddell Fox was among attendees who assisted Burnet County Judge James Oakley with the ribbon cutting ceremony.