The Springdale Town Jail is a one-story sandstone building constructed in 1935. It was built by a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camp at Zion National Park. The red rock-faced sandstone laid in coursed ashlar is identical to masonry work in ZNP in the 1930s. At the time, the Town Jail was one of three buildings located near the curve of Springdale's Main Street, now Zion Park Blvd, which together created a de facto civic center.
The Town Jail is the only known civilian correctional facility built by the CCC NP-2 Camp, also known as Zion Camp, in Utah during the depression years. The building's intent was to deter rowdy behavior among the CCC workers who attended dances and other town events. The period of significance spans the original construction in 1935 to the end of the CCC program in 1942. There was no indication that the Springdale Town Jail was heavily used. In fact, it was referred to as a "drunk tank." The CCC boys were mostly well-behaved and appreciated in the area. Local towns such as Hurricane and Toquerville occasionally invited groups from NP-2 to potluck dinners and dances for a modest fee. When Springdale civic leaders raised the price of admission to 50 cents, the CCC enrollees simply boycotted the community events until the price was lowered to match other communities.
The interior of the Town Jail has the original iron door's interior side, which has a half-circle tray, most likely intended to pass meals through to the inmates. The main narrow room shows where a stovepipe flue was once located. The iron work and masonry of the jail show excellent craftsmanship.
