Built in 1909-1910, this was one of the first buildings in town after the county seat moved here in 1908 from Old Hidalgo. Designed in Spanish architecture with a red tile roof and white walls, it ceased serving as the jail after a new one was built in 1922, then became a community center and meeting place for civic groups until 1931, and later served as city hall until 1966. It is now the Hidalgo County Museum, and its tower houses a hanging trap that was actually used only once, in 1913.