Bent County 1912 Jail

The impressive two-story Bent County Jail was built of brick and sandstone in 1902 at a cost of $8,478 and served as the county jail until 2000. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Neo-Classical Revival structure lies just north of the 1887-88 courthouse. The downstairs contained the residential quarters for the sheriff and family. A separate entrance led to the jail, which was located on the second floor. Curtis Gates, aka Ken Curtis and "Festus" of the popular 1960-70s TV series "Gunsmoke," lived in the jail as a child. Curtis's father, Dan Gates, was sheriff for six years.