1868
CHATTAHOOCHEE PENITENTIARY
Under Governor Harrison Reed (Florida's ninth governor), U.S. arsenal property at Chattahoochee becomes Florida's first penitentiary. The prison is governed as a military operation and is put under the supervision of the Florida Adjutant General. The two-story brick building was originally officer's quarters of the Chattahoochee Arsenal, and was also used to muster confederate troops during the Civil War, before becoming Florida's first prison. (In 1876 it became Florida State Hospital for the Insane, later renamed Florida State Hospital.)
The powder magazine, a compartment for the storage of ammunition and explosives, is one of two original buildings that remain from the federal arsenal that was constructed on this site in the 1830s. The building now houses the Apalachicola Arsenal Museum and Conference center.
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This line drawing is believed to show the original arsenal.
Shot tower and one of the original buildings of The Florida State Hospital in Chattahoochee. (1913 photo courtesy of FPC.)
This drawing is of the same building as above. The building to the left served as the Officers' Quarters and is still in existence today.
According to Chattahoochee historian Jim Barineau, the line drawing shown above "is believed to be the layout of the quadrangle that comprised the main portion of the original Chattahoochee Arsenal. The next picture is of the shot tower and one of the original buildings in the south wall of the quadrangle. The building that served as the Officers' Quarters (shown as third image above) is located to the west and slightly north of this building and remains in use today as the hospital's Administration Building."
Interior of the powder magazine. (Photo courtesy of FPC.)
Mr. Barineau continues..."The next picture is an interior shot of the powder magazine, one of four original out buildings at the arsenal - this one is located approximately 1,350 feet to the southeast of the quadrangle. The building was used for many different purposes during the years - as a carpentry shop, a casket factory, etc. and later, probably in the 1940s to 50s, became a mattress factory and sewing room."
Florida's first recorded inmate, Calvin Williams, arrives in Chattahoochee. He was convicted in November 1868 for larceny and sentenced to one year.
In 1868 Florida's penitentiary system received its first inmate, Calvin Williams, convicted of larceny.
Inmates work eight hours a day except on Sunday. Prison sentences are reduced by three days for each month a prisoner had not been punished. In addition, inmates who perform their work well and do not violate prison rules could receive an additional five days off of their sentences each month.
1869
INMATE POPULATION: 42
The Legislature passes the Penitentiary Act, placing the Commissioner of Public Institutions in charge of prisons. The state penitentiary opens with 14 guards and nine inmates. Six months later the population escalates to 42 inmates. The insane are also incarcerated there.
The first commander of the penitentiary holds the rank of Colonel and receives $3 per day; a Lieutenant receives $2 per day; Sergeants receive $12 per month and Privates of the Guard earn $10 per month. All are entitled to quarters, rations, clothing and equipment.
Florida State Hospital staff in the late 19th century. (Photo courtesy of FPC.)
