The Oak Ridge Jail is believed to be the only surviving pre Civil War wooden jail in Louisiana. The parish sheriff used it to lock up any criminals, whether free or slave. It is of plank construction with no corner posts or framing materials. The walls, floors and ceiling are fabricated of three sets of heart pine, laminated together with thousands of nails. This construction technique created a four inch thick wall that could not be penetrated with an axe or hatchet. Chains and shackles were located on the walls of the two small cells. Mrs. Emily Murphy of Oak Ridge, Louisiana donated the jail for the McEnery Family.