1905 Franklin County Jail Museum

209 West Main, Benton, IL 62812

History Museums

This 1905 jail museum features displays on The Beatles’ George Harrison, actor John Malkovich, basketball star Doug Collins, Civil War General John A. Logan and Charlie Birger, the last convicted criminal to be hanged in Illinois.

The 1905 Franklin County Jail Museum was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999. The displays in this amazing museum houses memorabilia from The Beatles’ George Harrison’s first trip to the United States to visit his sister Louise in Benton Illinois, to actor John Malkovich, basketball star Doug Collins, Civil War General John A. Logan and gangster Charlie Birger, the last convicted criminal to be hanged in Illinois. See actual jail cells used to house Charlie Birger and a replica of the noose and gallows used to hang him. Only 5 miles south of Rend Lake, just West of the Benton Square on IL State Highway 14. Please call or check website for seasonal hours. Admission $4.00 / Donations Accepted

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