Old Bent County Jail


           Return to Pioneer Historical Society Home Page

   Historic Background

The Old Bent County Jail, located at 325 Ambassador Thompson Blvd.,  was built on the Courthouse Square in 1902 and served as the county jail until the spring of 2000.  The building still bears its original architectural features including a cut sandstone foundation, yellow and red brick exterior, and an ornate metal roof line.  This sandstone architecture is one of the better preserved and most stable example of this building method in Southeast Colorado. It is at least 100 years old this year (2002).  It is also significant in that Ken Curtis, the actor/singer, lived here for a time. It will become a museum centered on the life of Ken Curtis,  his career accomplishments, and his association with the evolving television Western Gunsmoke.

Ken Curtis

This building served as the boyhood home of Ken Curtis from age ten to age sixteen, when his father, Dan Gates, was Bent County sheriff (1926-1932).  At the time Las Animas had a population of about 1,700.  His father had been a cattleman, but the Dust Bowl era brought an end to that.  The sheriff position meant a steady income and they had a place to live.   In those days it meant outhouse facilities and washboard laundering.  His mother, Nellie Sneed Gates, not only fed her family but also the jail prisoners.  Ken and his brother milked their cows, so there was always fresh milk to go along with the chicken and biscuits.  His mother watched over her boys whenever they had to serve meals to the prisoners, and she was a sure shot.  Although Ken and his brother lived with bank robbers, holdup men, and drunks, the children never felt afraid.  Some of the infamous Fleagle gang members were housed in the jail prior to their hanging. There was only one jail break success during their stint at the jail.

Although Ken remembered his youth as a happy time, he never wanted to be a lawman.   He began his singing career while he was living at the jail (singing at his father’s election rallies).  He was also an accomplished horseman.  He did attend college for three years as a pre-med student.  Later on he sang as an NBC Radio staff vocalist.   He could speak fluent Spanish and German also.  His career took him into the songwriting, singing, and acting businesses, where he sometimes called upon his younger days’ experiences to develop characters such as Festus Haggen. Curtis's birth name was Curtis Gates, but  when he joined the Dorsey band, he changed it to "Ken Curtis" at the urging of Tommy Dorsey.  Curtis was also the lead singer for the Sons of the Pioneers and appeared in 47 movies during his 50-year acting career.  However, he is best known for his protrayal of Festus Haggan in the television series Gunsmoke -- a character role largely influenced by his experiences living in the Bent County Jail.  Ken Curtis passed away at the age of 74 on April 28, 1991.

Additional Sources of Interest :

 The archaeologist in residence is Richard Carrillo of La Junta, Colorado.
Anyone interested in contributing to this project should contact Lucille Dillon at (719)456-0946. Development Credit: Billie Jackson                Email Your Comments & Mail