Chambersburg, Pennsylvania: Old Jail Museum

Tour an old 19th century jail, where criminals were hanged.

This jail, which [first opened in 1818 and] closed around 1970, was in use for longer than any other jail in Pennsylvania. When we first went in, I figured the tour would take about 10 minutes, but it lasted almost an hour, although it didn't seem that long. We may have been the only visitors that Saturday. The jail is a lot bigger than it appears, with 19th century solitary cells, a dungeon, and even a three story cell block that some visitors compare to Alcatraz.

A few people were hanged there in the 1800s; Underground Railroad-themed bus tours show up there, although they have no definitive proof it was part of it. They even have supposed ghosts. The tour guide was very interesting; I believe she was the president of the local historical society. It is definitely worth the trip if you are in Gettysburg (about 20 miles away) or that area. [Cathy Kant, 03/23/2010]