Leakey

This cage is on the grounds of the Real County Historical Museum in downtown Leakey.  It is resting on a very old concrete form and this suggested to us that it was moved with the cage.  At this time, its original location is not known.  It measures 15′ 2″ across the front and 7′ 1″ on the sides (107.92 square feet).  It is an example of a cage made from strap iron.  There are two cells, each one having its own door and the doors are equal in size (25″ x 6′ 7″).   The roof is missing.

No windows were needed because all four walls have numerous square openings that were cut out of the sheets of metal.  The only other cage in the current sample with panels manufactured this way is the one in Athens (Henderson County).  Perhaps both were made by one of the Carnegie mills.

The cell to the left is larger than the one on the right (70 square feet) and the smaller cell is only 31.9 square feet.  There are two rectangular openings at the bottom of each door.  These may have been used to pass food to prisoners.  The door on the right has an unusual curved metal feature (broken) that may have been used as a door stop.  Another unusual feature of this cage is the presence of two massive locks for each door.  Brackets on the rear walls of the cells may indicate supports for a bed frame (see Floor Plans).  

Adjacent to the cage is an old log crib.  This structure is similar to others that were used to store grain and other farm or ranch supplies.

The museum is in a large building to the left of the cage.  Behind it, is a shed with antique farm equipment such as tractors and wagons.  Some of the windows of the museum have old metal bars attached. Where they came from is not known at this time.