History of Cameron County Jail

   The building housing Martinez, Barrera y Martinez, llp, was originally built as a three story structure in 1912.  This building, Cameron’s County’s second jailhouse, was enlarged with the addition of a 4th floor about 1929.  The 1912 structure was designed by prominent San Antonio architect Atlee B. Ayers and he 1929 addition by Ayers and his son and partner, Robert Ayers.  The building’s classical Greek revival style is a distinctive design for this type of resource.  A one-story frame building was erected in the courtyard in the 1940’s.  The building served as Cameron County Jail and Sheriff’s Office until 1978.  It is now a recorded Texas historical landmark, recorded in 1994.

   Some of South Texas’ most notorious criminals have been incarcerated here.  According to local lore, two hangings occurred within its walls during the era of bandit raids in 1915-1916.  Vacant since 1978, the county jail was sold to Tony Martinez, in conjunction with other local investors, in 1992.  Restoration for use as office space was completed in 1993.

Este edificio fue construdio por el condado de Cameron para servir como carcel del condado en 1912, y fue restaurado en 1993.