Old Witch Jail: Difference between revisions

From Salem Links and Lore
No edit summary
No edit summary
Line 1: Line 1:
The site of the '''Old Witch Jail''' was 4 Federal St., at the corner of St. Peter Street (then called Prison Lane.) This was built n 1684. In approximately 1763, the wooden jail was rebuilt to replace and enlarge the old jail.
The site of the '''Old Witch Jail''' was 4 Federal St., at the corner of St. Peter Street (then called Prison Lane.) This was built n 1684. In approximately 1763, the wooden jail was rebuilt to replace and enlarge the old jail.


When a new modern stone jail was built in 1813,(on the corner of St. Peter and Bridge Street), this building was remodeled into a home. It is said that some timbers of the jail of 1684 were used in the construction of the jail in 1763, according to the Visitor's Guide (1953 ed.) Alfred P. Goodell opened the house as a tourist attraction in 1935.
When a new modern stone jail was built in 1813(on the corner of St. Peter and Bridge Street), this building was remodeled into a home. It is said that some timbers of the jail of 1684 were used in the construction of the jail in 1763, according to the Visitor's Guide (1953 ed.) Alfred P. Goodell opened the house as a tourist attraction in 1935.


This structure were torn down in the mid-1950's to make way for New England Telephone Company's expansion. Before the building was torn down, historians made the careful discovery of beams from the 17th century that had been the structure of the original colonial period jail cell.
This structure were torn down in the mid-1950's to make way for New England Telephone Company's expansion. Before the building was torn down, historians made the careful discovery of beams from the 17th century that had been the structure of the original colonial period jail cell.
Line 20: Line 20:


*[http://evergreen.noblenet.org/eg/opac/record/2412497?locg=63 Greetings from Salem] by M.L. Martin and N. Wolfgang-Price, p. 17
*[http://evergreen.noblenet.org/eg/opac/record/2412497?locg=63 Greetings from Salem] by M.L. Martin and N. Wolfgang-Price, p. 17
"Massive timbers taken from old witch jail" ''Salem Evening News'', May 31, 1956
"Old Witch Jail stockade found; traditions proved false as Salem landmark falls" ''Salem Evening News'', May 12, 1956, p. 1
"Old jail was city's first witch museum" ''Salem Evening News'', July 21, 1999, p. A3

Revision as of 12:45, 29 June 2017

The site of the Old Witch Jail was 4 Federal St., at the corner of St. Peter Street (then called Prison Lane.) This was built n 1684. In approximately 1763, the wooden jail was rebuilt to replace and enlarge the old jail.

When a new modern stone jail was built in 1813(on the corner of St. Peter and Bridge Street), this building was remodeled into a home. It is said that some timbers of the jail of 1684 were used in the construction of the jail in 1763, according to the Visitor's Guide (1953 ed.) Alfred P. Goodell opened the house as a tourist attraction in 1935.

This structure were torn down in the mid-1950's to make way for New England Telephone Company's expansion. Before the building was torn down, historians made the careful discovery of beams from the 17th century that had been the structure of the original colonial period jail cell.


OldWitchJail.jpg

See Also

  • Postcard Image courtesy of CardCow.com

"Massive timbers taken from old witch jail" Salem Evening News, May 31, 1956

"Old Witch Jail stockade found; traditions proved false as Salem landmark falls" Salem Evening News, May 12, 1956, p. 1

"Old jail was city's first witch museum" Salem Evening News, July 21, 1999, p. A3