Join the Jefferson County Preservation Alliance to Save our Heritage in our efforts to save the historic Jefferson County Jail. Our supporters include:

• The National Trust for Historic Preservation
• The United States Department of the Interior National Park Service
  
• The West Virginia Division of Culture and History
  
• The Labor Heritage Foundation
  
• The United Mine Workers of America related link...
  
• The Charles Town Landmarks Commission related link...
  
• The Keeper of the National Register
  

"It has recently come to our attention that the Jefferson county Commission is proposing to demolish the county jail building located directly behind the Jefferson County Courthouse, on the corner of North George and East Liberty streets, Charles Town, in order to create additional parking space. The Jefferson County jail is a contributing resource in the National Register of Historic Places listed Downtown Charles Town Historic District. We are concerned that the proposed action will irrevocably diminish the historic character of this significant district."

"Our office welcomes the opportunity to work with the Jefferson County Commission in order to preserve the Jefferson County Jail building while still meeting the community's need for available downtown parking. We would also like to take this opportunity to remind you of the commission's responsibility under 36 CFR 800 and the Section 106 process which requires consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office on any undertaking utilizing Federal funds. Examples of such funding sources are those obtained through HUD block grants or the Federal Highway Administration. There is similar state legislation that extends this requirement to projects using state funds. If Federal or state funding is being used for the demolition of the Jefferson County Jail building, please submit information on the undertaking for our review."

"We appreciate the opportunity to be of service. If you have questions regarding our comments or the Section 106 process, please call…"

"On behalf of the members of the Charles Town Historic Landmarks Commission, I am writing to express my concern about the possible demolition of the Old Charles Town Jail, a contributing structure within the Charles Town Historic District."

"We urge you to review completely all potential alternatives to doing away with this historic building, a vital part of our Town's heritage."

"It has been brought to our attention that the Commission is proposing the demolition of the county jail located in Charles Town, Jefferson County, West Virginia. The jail building is located within the boundaries of the Downtown Charles Town Historic District, which was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on March 21, 1997, for its historic and architectural importance to the State and community."

"Administered by the National Park Service under provisions of the National Historic Preservation Act, the National Register is the nation's official list of buildings, sites, districts, structures and objects significant in American history, archeology, architecture, engineering and culture worthy of preservation. Erected adjacent to the Jefferson County Courthouse to the north, the c.1920 Colonial Revival jail building contributes to the significance of this historic district. The current jail building, which replaced an earlier one at a different location, is a fine example of Colonial Revival public architecture located on a prominent corner lot at the intersection of North George and East Liberty Streets. As such, it occupies an integral position in the historic functional relationship between these two important buildings."

"According to the National Register nomination documentation, Charles Washington's plan for Charles Town included the provision that four corner lots at the intersection of George and Washington Streets would be set aside, donated by him for use by the community as a public square, the northeast lot of which is occupied by the current courthouse building. The central location of these public buildings at the core of the historic district further justifies their significance within the context of Charles Town's historic community development."

"We would strongly urge the Commission to consider preservation alternatives reusing the jail building rather than the demolition of this irreplaceable part of the community's historic patrimony. We know that the staff of Ms. Renay Conlin, the West Virginia State Historic Officer, would be happy to work with the Commission and the community to investigate the preservation possibilities."

"If we may provide information or assistance, please let us know."

"The National Trust for Historic Preservation Southern Office would like to offer financial assistance to help develop a feasibility study for the continued use of the Jefferson County Jail, an historic property located on the corner of North George and East Liberty Street in Charles Town, West Virginia. Constructed in 1918, the jail is a contributing element in the Downtown Charles Town Historic District, a designated 1997 National Register Historic District. The National Trust would like to pledge $1000 from our Intervention Fund toward this feasibility study. Our Intervention Fund is made possible by a generous donation from the Daniel K. Thorne Foundation to the National Trust for Historic Preservation."

"I hope these funds can help determine a preservation future for the jail. I thank you for your commitment to historic preservation and wish you the best of luck with this project. Please do not hesitate to call, should you have any questions or concerns."

The Jefferson county Jail in Charles Town contributes significantly to the history of West Virginia and the American Labor movement. The historic structure should be saved and restored as a reminder of the trials following the bloody West Virginia Mine Wars of the early 1920s. More than 10,000 union coal miners marched on Logan County, West Virginia, clashing with state militia and coal company "thugs" at Blair Mountain during the second largest armed insurrection in American history - surpassed only by the Civil War.

Charged with murder, treason and other crimes, more than 700 members of the UMWA in West Virginia were placed on trial in Charles Town in April of 1922. Many of these miners were incarcerated in this jail during the celebrated trials that attracted nationwide attention, drawing International UMWA President John L. Lewis and other UMWA members to Charles Town.

Because the coal companies bought all of Charles Town's hotel rooms for the trials, local residents took visiting miners and their families into their homes. Townspeople and the union were able to strengthen their ties throughout a well-attended baseball game between teams of local players and UMWA members awaiting trial.

"General" Billy Blizzard, a leader of the UMWA miners in the Mine Wars, was among those tried for treason in the adjacent Jefferson County Courthouse - the same courthouse where John Brown was convicted of treason in 1859 and subsequently hanged. After the 30-day trial in April and May of 1922, a jury found Blizzard and other UMWA miners not guilty of treason.

The West Virginia Mine Wars and subsequent trials in Charles Town represent a turning point in the UMWA's struggle to bring social justice to the thousands of coal miners and their families who had been exploited by the coal operators. These events were very significant in the history of American Labor.

The non-coalfield counties of the Eastern Panhandle are all that too many visitors ever see of the Mountain State. Those who visit a restored historic jail structure in Charles Town could have the opportunity to learn about and appreciate the rich legacy of West Virginia's coal miners. I believe that demolition of the 83-year-old jail would destroy an integral part of West Virginia history.

Washington DC - In keeping with its mission to commemorate the history and heritage of America's workers, the Inventory of American Labor Landmarks (IALL) has added the historic Jefferson County Jail to its collection.

The Jefferson County Jail in Charles Town, WVa., is the jailhouse where pro-union miners were incarcerated after the Battle of Blair Mountain and before trial. The Battle of Blair Mountain received worldwide press as miners fought against federal troops for their right to be represented by the United Mine Workers of America. Though the miners lost the battle in 1921, they focused public attention on the difficult conditions in the coalfields and, in 1933, the union returned to stay.

"One danger that working people face is the obliteration of our history. While there are many monuments built to corporate and civic leaders, far fewer mark workers' struggles and victories. The Jefferson County Jail is a place that adds more detail to the history of coal mining in West Virginia and adds to our collective understanding about what workers had to endure to build unions and gain decent working conditions in America. To this end, we are proud to announce the addition of the jail to our collection," said Holly Syrrakos, project director of the IALL.

The IALL identifies, publicizes, and promotes the preservation of landmarks that describe the history of workers and unions. The online version of the collection is viewable at: laborheritage.org. The IALL is a project of the Labor Heritage Foundation, a non-profit organization that assists unions by dramatizing their concerns through artistic and cultural expression.