Unfortunately, most of these prisoners were convicted of "Walking while Black". The town courts would routinely convict them of bogus offences and sentence them to hard labor, then rent them out for profit, legalized slavery.

This photo was taken in Montgomery, Ala., in 1910 according to the notation on the back. The neighborhood looks very similar, though I believe the address of this one is Washington Avenue. I also have a photo of a house built on the same spot that notes this house burned down in 1914, and the house to the right is gone, too. Such a tragedy!

"Sharpen the pencil and bin the restraint."

I live in Texas, where we still use work gangs from the County Jail for civic maintenance, such as mowing courthouse lawns.

To be allowed on such a work gang -- the chains haven't been used in a long time -- is a privilege anxiously sought by the prisoners. They get to be out of the boring cell into the fresh air, people talk to them (talk to the Deputy monitoring them first!), and they get a small wage for it. The work is sometimes strenuous and often boring, but never terribly arduous, and they sometimes get a meal that isn't from the jail commissary. Prisoners can't participate unless they're well-behaved in the jail, so it's a "carrot" form of discipline. The City and County get their grounds kept up at an economical price. Nobody loses (we don't have ASCME here.)

Some years ago the County decided to give the prisoners work clothes that were more like street wear, chambray shirts and jeans. Unfortunately a couple of them exploited that to make their escape. They were caught, returned, and lost work privileges, and the Sheriff put the workers back into the old striped clothing.

My grandfather was raised in this town and in 1906 would have been around 10 years old. How amazing to see the things he saw!

When the wife and I were buying a home here in Missouri, we looked at many but we continued coming back to the older homes -- and settled on one that was built in the 1900s. Not quite as Victorian as these but it has character and style -- something we found totally lacking in newer homes.

Not to mention parts of Arizona!

Except for the 2nd house, it's all gone now. The building next door (to the left looking from the street) is now occupied by bankruptcy attorneys.

There is a sign in the front yard of the remaining house. It's not clear enough to read, but I'm guessing it's for another law firm.

I love the sidewalks. I wonder if these are paved over or still exist.

I want to live here ! A front facing flat would be fine.

A few years back we went to South Carolina on vacation and were shocked to see prisoners in striped convict gear in gangs clearing brush by the roadways. It's different down South.

On the railings of the first home on the left. Those were really nice. I'm sure it made the other homes jealous!

I just noticed two women walking on the other side of the street in what looks like very formal dress - or was that their everyday wear?

I'd love to live in this neighborhood.

How many gardeners worked in the neighborhood?

Could this be the leftmost house?

[Indeed it is! - Dave]

View Larger Map

Would be proud!

This is one of my favorite posts ever - looks like a row of dollhouses. I hope there are more from this street! I wish they still built them like this.

Looks like the chain gang was hiring out for lawn maintenance!

Love the little balconies, but unless you want to check on the neighbors across the street, they don't seem very useful, barring a parade down your street. Of course Victorian doesn't seem to be real big on "useful" anyway.

An industrious house painter can practically be guaranteed full employment. Gorgeous but like painting the Golden Gate Bridge -- get to the end and start over.

So much to see in this photo -- intricate sidewalk, beautiful iron work banister, plentiful mounting blocks -- all telling me this is very much an upscale neighborhood.

Is that fellow in the background really wearing prison clothes?

That convict in striped jumpsuit -- looks like he's out cleaning the streets -- really adds to the homey atmosphere of this photo.

walking toward the camera looks like he might be part of a prison work detail.