Adams County Prison - Gettysburg, PA - Retired Prisons on Waymarking.com

This retired prison is a contributing structure to the historic district. It sits close to battlefield, specifically, East Cemetery Hill. There is wonderful interpretive out front, part of a much larger series sponsored by Main Street Gettysburg, which tells the tale of this prison. The sign reads:

The Adams County Prison

As part of a deal to establish Gettysburg as county seat in 1800, James Getty's donated this lot for a county prison. This two-story "bastille-like" building with its 16-foor stone wall enclosing the prison yard was erected in 1851 to replace the first prison facility.

On July 2nd Confederate General Robert E. Lee held a council of war in the building, perhaps to plan the attack held later that evening on Cemetery Hill.

Following the Battle, the jail was utilized by the Union Army provost marshal to retain soldiers and civilians charged with violating martial law.

In late 1889 the County enlarged the front of the building to three stories and continued its use until 1948. The Adams County Public Library followed as tenants for the next 40 years. In 1991 the Borough of Gettysburg acquired the property and rehabilitated the structure for its new municipal building.

Address: 59 E High St Gettysburg, PA USA 17325 Open to the public: Yes Hours: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Fees?: No Cost, Public Building Web link: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
In order to add a new log to the waymark of this category, simply take another photo of the prison from a different angle than the other posts. Also add to the history of the jail when possible.

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log   03/29/2015 ChapterhouseInc visited it 09/02/2014 NorStar visited it

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