NIOBRARA COUNTY - Several Lusk residents were placed behind bars on Saturday, June 22. Yet, the reason for the residents’ brief incarceration was not what one would initially surmise. Lusk was not experiencing some freak crimewave. Instead, townsfolk were invited to tour the historic Niobrara County jail, which is situated adjacent to the courthouse. Saving the old jail has been the passionate mission of former county commissioner Greg Starck. According to Starck’s sister-in-law, Barbara Cushman, the jail owes its continued existence to the former county commissioner. The Niobrara County Commission have been kept in the loop during the process of what to do with the old jail.

 “I think he’s instrumental in saving this,” said Barbara. “I think it would have been torn down if he hadn’t stepped in.”

Starck, whose tenure as a county commissioner ran from 2008 to 2016, has been committed to the jail’s restoration ever since he became a public official. As is the case with most restoration projects, the chief hurdle to overcome is a financial one.

“There’s just no money,” Starck said.

Yet, the financial challenge has not dissuaded Starck’s efforts to invigorate public support for the cause. He was involved in an open house for the jail last year and continues to collaborate with others on the passion project. Among those collaborators are several consultants who are working on the project under a grant from the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. Abigail Ramler, a Remediation Program Project Manager for the State of Wyoming, was on hand during Saturday’s tours, distributing literature concerning the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Brownfields Assistance Program. “Brownfield” is the appellation assigned to properties where redevelopment, reuse, or expansion is complicated by the potential presence of hazardous materials.

Any potential restoration plan for the jail would likely involve preserving the cell block on the ground level in its present form. Part of the first floor and the second floor, however, could assume any number of forms. Touring groups were offered an opportunity to weigh in on some of the options. These included the possibilities of a coffee shop, a restaurant, a bed and breakfast, office space and a gift shop.

According to volunteer tour guide Dan Cushman, the jail opened in 1913. Before that, Niobrara County formed from portions of Converse, Platte, and Goshen Counties. Of course, whenever communities form, criminal elements invariably insinuate themselves. Lusk was certainly no exception.

“Lusk was kind of notorious crime-wise,” Dan said. “Lusk was isolated. Well, we’re still isolated. So, criminals took advantage of that.”

The emergence of this criminal element necessitated the opening of the jail. Only time and the effectiveness of local efforts will determine whether or not it closes.

“I do want it saved,” said Barbara. “It’s the first county building. There’s a lot of history here. There are lots of great stories. I’d like to see buildings like this saved.” 

Leslie Stewart, a Commissioner for State Parks and Cultural Resources, has seized the reins of the project with the old jail. She has been giving the Niobrara County Commissioners updates since the project began to develop. According to Stewart, 72 signatures were collected on the tour’s sign-in list. Some of those signatures were families and others were individuals. Comment cards were also collected. 

“We had comments from many who had had experiences with the jail,” said Stewart. “People talked about how they would walk down the alley and the prisoners would be yelling at them. Just all kinds of stories about the jail. It was really fun to hear all those stories.”

There is a Steering Committee composed of Starck and his wife Janette, Barbara and Dan Cushman and Stewart. This committee might grow as needed.

Ramler and her colleague, Amanda Arnold, will be compiling a report to share with Stewart, the steering committee, and the commissioners. The report will include economic data as well as public feedback. Stewart stated that in order to apply for grants, samples will have to be collected from the jail for a phase II environmental study. Stewart said that the reports will be completed within a few months.

Stewart stated that the consultants are considering another open house presented along with environmental and economic studies.to update the community on progress.

“Lots of things will be happening down the road,” Stewart said. “I was very happy with the turnout and the comments that we got.”

After touring, sharing stories and commenting, visitors were offered informational pamphlets. Stickers in the shape of old jail keys read, “I got detained at the old jailhouse, Lusk, Wyoming.” Unlike typical inmates, Saturday’s detainees could be the old jail’s biggest supporters.