One of the most awesome, and chilling, buildings I have ever visited is the former Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia. It was opened in 1829 and closed in 1971. After over 20 years in limbo it opened as a museum with guided tours in the mid-1990s. As funds are available,
It seems that I can’t get away from crime and punishment, York County style. I was checking the files at York County Heritage Trust today to see if I could find out what was carved on the tablet above the door of 1853 York County Prison, which I wrote about
1850s York County Prison Here we were with a nice new jail that resembled a castle and someone had the nerve to deface the tablet over the entrance. When you look at the photo above you wonder how in the world anyone could get to it unnoticed. The arched entrance
Lewis Miller drawing of York jail on George Street York County has had four prisons in its nearly 260 year history. The present one certainly seems to be the most secure. But reading the newspaper accounts of past jailbreaks, you have to wonder if anybody was watching. At least in
I’m certainly not advocating crime, but when you think of it, salaries for all those policemen, jailers, judges, and attorneys do add to the economy. Building and upkeep of the prisons and courthouses, feeding the prisoners, and all the other fees associated with the justice system also supply work for
The former York County Jail has stood empty for many years. Every now and then someone suggests a new use for the striking five story brick building, but nothing seems to come of it. The original stone castle-like prison, built in the 1850s had become crowded and inadequate. Click here
York County Prison, built 1853 The December 29, 1857 Gazette reported a Christmas night prison excape at the York County jail, which had been built only four years before. The escapees of 150 years ago used a method similar to that used just recently. The account follows below: “PRISONERS ESCAPED