Our first stop in St Augustine was the Old Jail. You can probably guess from its name, but despite having the outward appearance of a hotel, this building used to be the city’s jail.

History

The jail was designed and built in 1891. Flagler, the owner of the Ponce de Leon Hotel that had just opened, insisted that the exterior of the building matched the aesthetic of the city so as to blend in, and that it was moved further away from his hotel.

The building company responsible for Alcatraz (San Fransisco), PJ Pauley Jail Company were the same ones employed to build this new jail. It was built so that from the outside there was no hint that the building wasn’t just another Victorian house, other than the bars on the window frames.

The Old Jail eventually closed in 1953 due to its unsanitary conditions and infringement on the prisoner’s human rights.

A year after its closure, the building became a tourist attraction, being added to the US National Register of Historic Places in 1987.

The Gallows

The Old Jail was a location that dealt with capital punishment, meaning that it was the site of many prisoner’s deaths.

Behind the jail there is a reconstructed gallows, showing visitors what the death row prisoners would have had to build and then look at until their execution.

Tours

The tours of the Old Jail are truly immersive. Your tour guide greets you at the front of the building, imitating a jail warden as he lists your crimes and rings the bell.

Once everyone is assembled and the tickets are collected, you are led on a tour by that same guide, who becomes one of the prisoners.  They will take you around the cells, the kitchen and the sheriff’s quarters, telling stories and interesting facts that you won’t hear elsewhere.

At the end of the tour, you are given your pardon slip and allowed to leave.

Events

There are also several events held at the jail, including after hour tours, where you can hunt the ghosts that are rumoured to haunt the building.

Our Experience

We loved visiting the Old Jail, I found the facts and linking what I already knew about the history of American prisons with what our tour guide was saying.

Harry, on the other hand, found the ghost stories and figurines amazing. Although his favourite part of the whole experience was actually the tour guides and their acting.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a fun and informative activity to do in St Augustine this is definitely one to ass to your list. We really enjoyed it and it was worth the money.