First City Hall and Jail
In its early days, La Porte had little need for a city hall or jail. City Council meetings were held in various vacant buildings around town and the few lawbreakers were placed either in an old abandoned ice house or locked in a convenient box car that might be at a railroad siding.
In 1907, a new city hall and calaboose were built. The building was to be 20 x 24 feet and would contain a meeting hall and two jail cells. The building served as city hall and jail from 1907 to 1931. In that year, the little wooden building was moved across the street where it not stands, and a new two-story city hall was build where it had be located.
The old wooden building served for many years as the American Legion Hall. It has served a variety of purposes and is now maintained by the City of La Porte and still serves as a general meeting venue for small groups. It is one of the few historical buildings left in La Porte.
Marker is on South 2nd Street south of West Main Street (Texas Route 146), on the left when traveling south.
Courtesy hmdb.org
