Powhatan Jail is a rare example of a stone military blockhouse designed by John D. Edwards. Lawrence County, known as the "Mother of Counties," formed this northern region of Arkansas in 1815, and as new counties were created, the courthouse moved several times before settling at Powhatan in 1869. The jail site was selected by Charles A. Stuart, Charles Coffin, and Solomon W. Redding on lots 2 and 3 of block 13 of the original survey of the town of Powhatan. On July 26, 1873, bids for construction of a county jail were opened by B. F. Matthews, Commissioner of Public Buildings of Lawrence County, and Millard and King Contractors received the $7,400 contract. Thirty-two counties were formed from the original Lawrence County of 1815.