Dallas to Send Historic House to Prison

[TexasStooge]

DALLAS, Texas (Reuters) - The symbolic first house in Dallas is heading to jail.

The log cabin replica of the home of Dallas founder John Neely Bryan will be moved from its present downtown location in January to make way for construction of an underground garage. Dallas County officials thought the best way to keep the cabin safe during the building project would be to move it to a nearby correctional facility.

The one-room cabin will head to a fenced-in area that is off limits to the public and prisoners at the Lew Sterrett Justice Center.

"It has to go someplace that is secure, and it will be moved to a place that is both secure and close," said Dan Savage, the county's assistant administrator.

The log cabin, built around 1841 by lawyer and American Indian goods trader John Neely Bryan, has been completely rebuilt, moved and moved again as the city of Dallas he founded grew over the years.

The cabin is currently located about three blocks from Dealey Plaza, where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated 40 years ago.

County officials do not know exactly how long the cabin will stay on jail property.

An early release depends on how fast construction workers complete a downtown renovation project, officials said.