Jamestown, CA — The Rescue the 1897 Jamestown Jail Committee has currently raised $20,000 in its effort to move the structure from Pollardville back to Rocca Park.
Committee member Jim O´Neil says up to $35,000 will be matched by the Sonora Area Foundation and Irving J. Symons Foundation.
According to the committee, the jail itself was built by Tuolumne County back in 1897 to serve as a branch jail. The 20 X 20 foot structure was located near the front of the present Rebekah Hall, and to the rear of the present Rocca Park.
In the 1960´s, the jail was moved 83 miles northwest to Pollardville. The location is that of a privately owned restaurant and theme park owned by the Pollard family. Last year, the property was sold to a developer that is planning to put in new housing and a mall.
Neil Pollard contacted Jamestown merchants offering to give back the jail for free as long as it is moved by April of 2007.
The committee is asking donors to send money to the Sonora Area Foundation, Jail Fund, PO Box 577, Sonora, CA 95370. AnAdopt a Brick” campaign is also underway. For $25 individuals can sponsor a single brick and receive a special certificate.
Written by BJ Hansen
This post was last modified on 01/31/2009 1:47 pm