In the late 1800s, towns could become a bit wild when Saturday evening came and the work week ended for many. Old logging towns became rowdy when brawling lumberjacks hit the town with their winter pay after months in the woods to spend it in local saloons and dance halls.
The town of Port Wing in northern Wisconsin was a sawmill town surrounded by a dozen logging camps so the local constable was kept busy when hundreds of lumberjacks hit the town. In 1896, this jail house was built with double walls of two inch solid white oak planking, one laid horizontally and one vertically; with wrought iron doors, windows and half inch thick hinges. It was used until the 1930’s.
Port Wing Old Town Jail
