The Newly renovated Porter jail, located on Park Street, just 1/2 block off Highway 68, has the distinction of being the only existing jail in Yellow Medicine County. Very few records relating to the building have been kept through the years and much of this feature is credited to information researched by John Bruns who finished the restoration as his Eagle Scout Project.

Built in 1903 the jail is an example of the small, brick structures that were built in rural Minnesota communities before the days of county law enforcement facilities.

Porter was incorporated as a village in 1881 and it wasn't until 1898 that a resolution pertaining to building a lock-up was adopted and approved. Nothing came of it until 1903 when a motion was made to accept Frank Jorhn's figure of $730 for building a jail.

The brick, 2-celled jail was built like all the others constructed in small communities around the turn of the century. It measures 20 x 17 feet, has three windows and one door opening. The entrance has a steel door and an iron strap bar inner door and there are three double-hung windows with iron bars on the north, west, and south sides.

The interior of the jail is divided into two small rooms separated by a heavy metal door. Each room contains a cage cell with iron bars. Each cell has 2 hinged iron sleeping berths, enabling the jail to hold four prisoners. In 1903, this double jail cell cost $149.

This small town jail usually held mostly disorderly or inebriated persons. With a dance hall next door and several saloons in the village, many who overindulged or started a fight cooled their in the jail overnight or longer, if necessary. Prisoners were usually kept until they were scheduled to appear before the Justice of the Peace for sentencing or fines.

No records show just when the jail was last used but in January 1955, an oil burning stove was purchased for the building.

The years took their toll on the jail and after the years of standing empty, the hole in the east wall gradually "grew" larger. Mortar holding the bricks together was crumbling and the door, windows and interior were badly in need of paint and repair.

When it was discovered that this was the last building of its kind in the county, it was decided to restore the old lock-up. So, a little peace of history was preserved so that generations to come could get an idea of the "way things were back in the old days."

The city of Porter received a "Celebrate Minnesota" grant and with financial help from the Porter Town and Country club and Lutheran Brotherhood funding, repairs were made to the building with help from both volunteers and hired help.

The large hole in the east wall was repaired and the entire building was tuck-pointed, new windows and a door were installed and the interior was re-plastered. A hedge was planted on two sides of the property and a picnic shelter was built alongside the jail.

John Bruns finished the restoration in July 1993 as his Eagle Scout project. He enlisted the help of fellow scouts, leaders and community volunteers. New sidewalk was poured, the interior walls painted white, and window bars, doors and all units were painted glossy black. Many hours of labor were put into this project.

Items that John collected for display in the jail were an original cell heater, a pot belly stove, chemical toilet, dishes and silverware, and a showcase.

Two signs were ordered, one for the front of the jail and the other to be placed at the rear of the lot near the 'Lone Tree' planted there.

The plaque reads:

"On the banks of the north branch of the Yellow Medicine River and near the railroad right-of-way stood a lone cottonwood. This tree marked the mail drop for early settlers. The town was later named for L.C. Porter, whose milling company was Porter's first business in 1881. This cottonwood tree was transplanted in 1989 from an area outside of Porter to symbolize the original tree which was struck by lightning in the 1950's"

The restored building and well-kept grounds around it are an asset to Porter and the lone tree reminds Porterites of the beginning of their hometown.

It is hoped the building will be nominated to the National Register of Historical Sites.

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