The Old Jail
The Gonzales Old Jail was built in 1885 by architect Eugene T. Heiner and was designed to hold 200 prisoners. It housed many notorious names, like Gregorio Cortez and John Wesley Hardin. The jail closed in 1975 and is now a working museum. Legend has it that some of the prisoners’ spirits never left. Various ghost-hunting groups have documented evidence of paranormal activity at the Old Jail Museum. Why would they return to a place that held them behind bars?
Gonzales County Courthouse
Built in 1896, the Gonzales County Courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. It’s still a working courthouse to this day, but there are otherworldly visitors walking through the halls as well. Legend has it that the last person hanged in Gonzales cursed the courthouse clock, ensuring it would never tell the correct time on all four sides. To this day, the clock continues to experience problems. Who was this last person, you ask? His name was Albert, and he was accused of a crime he firmly believed he did not commit. He held this belief until his last breath. It has been said that employees of the courthouse have seen objects move on their own and even witnessed Albert typing on a typewriter. No one knows why Albert still lingers in the courthouse, but he seems determined to ensure the clock never tells the correct time.
Episcopal Church of The Messiah
On the northeast corner of the intersection of St. Louis and College Street stands the Episcopal Church. If you look closely, you’ll notice a historical marker that explains the area was once Cemetery Square. This block was dedicated as a cemetery in 1825, and many early settlers were buried there, including a soldier and his wife, Elizabeth. It is said that Elizabeth has been seen in and around the church. There have also been sightings of a pipe from the church’s pipe organ falling by itself and a pew creaking when no one is sitting there.
For more stories like these check out the Ghosts of Gonzales Book at The Gonzales Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture!
