PAULDING – The Progress confirmed today that the Paulding County commissioners plan to demolish the old county jail – built in 1876. Plans call for it to be demolished in mid-January using county engineer's department employees.

Commissioner Tony Zartman said the structure is a liability and an expense to the county.

He added that the commissioners have tried to sell the building, with no success.

The jail operated continuously from the time it was built until a new facility opened in 2007. The old jail has been empty for the past five years, used only for storage.

Current photo of Paulding County Jail