Skip to Content

Old Moore County Jail – Lynchburg, Tennessee

Sharing is caring!

This post may contain affiliate or referral links. Read more about this in our disclosure policy.

This little-known attraction in Lynchburg just off the square has a TON of history! Everything from Jesse James staying here and carving his name in the wall, to a visit from Johnny Cash! They run on donations and don’t charge an entry fee; it’s worth a stop when in town!

Old Moore County Jail – Lynchburg, Tennessee

The jail house was also where the sheriff and their family lived. So the downstairs had the office, and living area and an old kitchen. In the back of the downstairs were the women’s cells. Upstairs in the front was the 2 bedrooms. Upstairs in the back (up separate stairs) were the men’s cells and they were labeled one of the worst jail cells in the country even Johnny Cash said so when he visited. More on that when we get there.

The old living room was set up with info of the families. They had pictures of old sheriffs and this one is of the first women sheriff she took over when her husband died.

Old Moore County Jail – Lynchburg, Tennessee Woman Sheriff

The old phone I was able to tell my kids how it was used.

Old Moore County Jail – Lynchburg, Tennessee Phone

From there we moved into the old kitchen. Getting to see an old stove and no refrigerator like we know it, gave us plenty of time to explain to the kids things weren’t always like they are now.

Old Moore County Jail – Lynchburg, Tennessee Kitchen

In the kitchen was an old washboard and wash bowl. We had been watching Dr Quinn Medicine Woman at home and I was able to reference them to the show for a visual for the kids.

Old Moore County Jail – Lynchburg, Tennessee Washboard

Then we saw the women’s jail cells. They were on the first floor, they only had 2 cells. Sucks to be the 3rd or 4th person having to be there that night!

Old Moore County Jail – Lynchburg, Tennessee Womens Jail Cell

Then we headed up the back stairs to view the men’s jail cell. These were the worst cells you can imagine, like a caged animal. Even when Johnny Cash visited he agreed how bad they were. This part of the upstairs was not connected to the living quarters.

Old Moore County Jail – Lynchburg, Tennessee Stairs to Mens Call Block

One of their big attractions was the night Jesse James stayed here he carved his name into the wall.We won’t mention that the date carved with the name is 5 years after Jesse James died or that the name on the wall end with a ‘y’ and not an ‘e’……

Old Moore County Jail – Lynchburg, Tennessee Jesse James

Then we stepped in to see the male cells. (ignore the fact the kids are half there and half not and how weird hubby looks please, the pano on this picture was kind of a fail!)

Old Moore County Jail – Lynchburg, Tennessee Men Cell Block

They didn’t even have a toilet in the cells they had one outside they would have to get permission to use.

Old Moore County Jail – Lynchburg, Tennessee Male Cell

Then we went downstairs and back up again tot eh living quarters side. There were 2 rooms up there. One room had this big old quilting loom in the center of the room.

Old Moore County Jail – Lynchburg, Tennessee Loom

Around the edges of the room where other items like this antique doll and carriage.

Old Moore County Jail – Lynchburg, Tennessee Doll

An old singer sewing machine

Old Moore County Jail – Lynchburg, Tennessee Singer

And this old quite made in the late 1800s among other house items.

Old Moore County Jail – Lynchburg, Tennessee 1800 Quilt

In the second bedroom, they hand many vintage clothes, like this full 1930s wedding dress and outfit.

Old Moore County Jail – Lynchburg, Tennessee Wedding Dress

They also had this Depression Era Quilt

Old Moore County Jail – Lynchburg, Tennessee Red Quilt

Then we headed downstairs to view what would have been the Sheriff’s office. Here they had articles about the jail and items in it

Old Moore County Jail – Lynchburg, Tennessee New Papers

They also had the picture Johnny Cash signed when he visited and the check he wrote to the jail house.

Old Moore County Jail – Lynchburg, Tennessee Johnny Cash

They also had one of the 1965 arrest records of Johnny Cash from out in Minden, NV. Looking online I can’t find any mention of Johnny Cash Being arrested in NV in May of 1965 at the paper states.

Old Moore County Jail – Lynchburg, Tennessee Johnny Cash arrest

They also displayed some of the pictures from when Johnny Cash was there shooting a commercial.

Old Moore County Jail – Lynchburg, Tennessee Johnny Cash Pictures

They also have a wall of honor where they have the patches from different law enforcement from all over. Bring yours in to have it displayed!

Get Our Travel Tips and Freebies!

Join our travel community and get weekly updates with travel tips, locations, and freebies. Can't wait to connect with you!

    Sharing is caring!