The cache revives a now archived cache, https://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC3NZ3V_up-the-river?guid=b47730fe-3fed-4f19-9e07-b8e4a08aceba, which I surmise was washed away in the biblical flood of October 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6c-pimiUNE0
The cache is a peanut jar.
This story appeared in the Llano News in 2015 regarding the then on-going refurbishing of the jail:
Red Top Jail On the Mend
A part of Llano County history lost to the public is being restored. The Red Top Jail will be safe again.
The historic Llano Red Top Jail, just a block east from the bridge on the south side of the Llano River, has been closed since 2011. Structural damages left it stressed. Preservation Texas called it “one of Texas’ Ten Most Endangered Places” when it was declared “off limits” to the public. That will change. Frank Rowell says tours will start again soon, but he cannot give a definite time.
“Restoration of the foundation is well under way,” Rowell says, “but this is only the beginning.” The present stage will cost from $220,000 to $290,000, as a rough estimate.
From 1895 until 1982 the granite structure functioned as the Llano County Jail. When tours start again visitors can see the eight cells which could each house four prisoners. Inmates slept in hammocks.
Rumors abound that the jail is haunted. An internet search reveals a Youtube video, placed on that website in 2012, 12 minutes and 39 seconds long. The video features a tour guided by Mike Reagor, uncredited. Two country-western songs, also uncredited, allude to the ghosts. No spoilers here, but I will spill it that Mr. Reagor tells the stories of two jail breaks, one successful, and the other involves a pool cue. Look for “Red Top Jail Movie:”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=58&v=dZnQuT21mDs&feature=emb_logo
Other websites discuss the hauntings.
The building stood vacant some four years, Rowell reports. Due to the ravages of time, the jail needs much cleaning and some rebuilding. “Vandals damaged the top floor last year, where the gallows were,” Rowell said. “Windows were pulled out. We made some makeshift repairs, with plywood and such, but water still gets in. Water is the enemy. We need to renovate from the top down.”
Gallows? “We know they were in the tower. Nothing is left of them. A railing shows where the trap door was. They weren’t used very much. In fact we have no record of any actual executions. And we have searched. In 1927 the State ended all hangings in county and city jails. Only in state prisons after that. Locally we have stories and rumors, but no records. Back in the 50s a fire in the court house destroyed records. Might have been water damage; anyway they disappeared. Individual folks may still have family records handed down over the years, letters or diaries, or some oral history, but none have surfaced. We should preserve those, if we can.”
Such a story would explain the haunting.
A non-profit organization called The Friends of the Llano Red Top Jail owns the jail and is overseeing the restoration. With nine members on the board, and so much to do, volunteers are always needed. And donations.
The board invites anyone interested to meet with them at the Llano Public Library the third Wednesday of the month. Check with the library for the time. Visit the “Red Top Jail – Llano, Texas” on Facebook.
https://www.redtopjail.com/