The jail was built in 1905–06 to replace the county's previous jail, which was built in the 1840s after the county seat moved to Benton.

Architect Joseph W. Royer designed the jail; the brick building features limestone trim, a hip roof with gabled dormers, and a front porch which was rebuilt in 1997.

The building also included the county sheriff's residence, an arrangement which allowed for the sheriff to continuously watch the prisoners.

[2] The jail building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.

The other two are the Sesser Opera House, in Sesser and the West Frankfort City Hall, in West Frankfort.