This building was designed by Capt. G. J. Porter and built of stone quarried at Mormon Ranch. On August 18, 1883, plans were presented to the Board of Supervisors. A contract was awarded on August 27 to A.J. Sever. Total cost of the jail was to be $5,750. Construction started immediately, as the contract called for completion on or before November 15, 1883.

The resulting building was 32 x 34 feet. The walls of the stone structure are 2 feet thick and built of hammer dressed stone. The blocks were laid with lime and mortar. Partition walls are one foot thick. The iron doors were constructed of 1 1/2 inch bar stock. The iron cells were moved from the old jail and installed in the new building. Iron gratings on all windows are one inch bars and deeply set in stone blocks. All walls and ceilings are lined with cloth, finished with hair mortar, and wallpapered. The outside of the building was plastered with a heavy coat of brown mortar, with a sufficient amount of hair to insure a strong wall.

The old wooden jail, which had been towed from Bodie in 1881, was joined to the new structure, expanded and used as living quarters for the sheriff. Food for prisoners was handed through an 8 x 12 inch access window from the kitchen of the living quarters.

This jail was opened on December 12, 1883 and served Mono County until 1964. Yes, that's right. Law breakers were held in this cold dank place up until 1964!