Visit the Old County Jail in San Elizario
Join local historians Machelle Wood and Albert Burnham of the Concordia Heritage Association at the Old County Jail Museum in San Elizario for a special presentation. Hosted by This engaging program will explore the historic Old County Jail and bring to life the rich history of El Paso County.
Reserve a Spot
Event Details
Concordia Heritage Association at the Old County Jail
Saturday, June 13, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Old County Jail Museum, 1551 Main St, San Elizario, Texas 79849 (MAP)
Admission is free, but registration is required.
The first 18 registrants will receive a complimentary Concordia Heritage Association mug.
For more information, please contact rrobles@destinationelpaso.com.
Step Inside the Wild West at the Old County Jail. Get a firsthand look at the gritty, unfiltered history of the Wild West! The Old County Jail in San Elizario is a must-see stop for history buffs, ghost hunters, and true-crime fans alike. This historic structure served as the El Paso County Jail during one of the most turbulent eras in Texas history. Highlights of Your Visit: The Billy the Kid Legend: Stand inside the only jail that the infamous outlaw Billy the Kid ever broke into—not out of! Learn the thrilling story of how he snuck in to rescue his friend, Melquiades Segura, in 1876. Original Adobe & Iron architecture: See the original heavy wooden doors, stark jail cells, and iron bars that held some of the area’s most notorious lawbreakers. The Salt War History: Discover the jail’s role during the violent San Elizario Salt War of 1877.
Dating back to 1821, the building is made from adobe was a residence for about 20 years before it was converted into the jail in 1850 after San Elizario was made the first county seat. It remained in use while San Elizario was the county seat – except for two short spans (1854 and 1866).
The Commissioners Court approved the purchase of a prefabricated iron cell from Chicago, Illinois that had two areas that could hold up to 6 prisoners each. The cell is steel reinforced and was brought piece by piece. The building housed both the jail and courtroom. It was decommissioned after the town of San Elizario was no longer the county seat.