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Resembling a fortress standing guard over the town of Jim Thorpe (formerly known
as Mauch Chunk), the historic Old Jail Museum is a beautiful two-story stone
structure. Completed in 1871 it was used as the Carbon County Prison from 1871
until January 1995 when it was purchased by Tom McBride and his wife, Betty Lou, of
Jim Thorpe.
Containing approximately 72 rooms, this magnificent structure shouts to all "Be good"!
The building has 27 cells, plus basement dungeon cells used as solitary confinement
until 1980, women's cells on the 2nd floor, and the warden's living quarters across
the front of the building. The warden's apartment has a large living room, dining
room, 2 bedrooms, and a sitting room. The kitchen for the prisoners was the same
kitchen used by the warden's family. In fact, for many years the warden's wife did the
cooking not only for her family but also for the prisoners using the same kitchen for
both.
The building is best known as the site of the hanging of seven Irish coal miners
known as Molly Maguires in the 1800s. On June 21, 1877, today known as the Day
of the Rope, Alexander Campbell, Edward Kelly, Michael Doyle and John Donohue
were hanged at the same time on gallows erected inside the Old Jail Museum cell
block. On March 28, 1878, Thomas P. Fisher was hanged here, and on January 14,
1879, James McDonnell and Charles Sharp were hanged on the same gallows.
Historians today feel the Molly Maguire trials were a surrender of state sovereignty.
A private corporation (a coal/railroad company) initiated an investigation through a
private detective agency (Pinkerton Detectives), a private police force (the Coal & Iron
Police) arrested the alleged offenders, and private attorneys (employees of the coal
companies) prosecuted these men. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided
only the courtroom and the gallows.
Before their hanging, the men proclaimed their innocence and today historians
believe many of the condemned men were falsely accused of murder. Before his
hanging one of the man, thought to be Alexander Campbell, put his hand on the dirty
floor of his cell and then placed it firmly on the wall proclaiming, " This handprint will
remain as proof of my innocence." That handprint is visible today for every to view
even though past wardens tried to eradicate it by washing it, painting it, and even
taking down part of the wall and replastering it.
Do NOT pass Jim Thorpe, go directly to The Old Jail Museum! Hear the story of
the condemned Molly Maguires and see the mysterious handprint on the wall.
as Mauch Chunk), the historic Old Jail Museum is a beautiful two-story stone
structure. Completed in 1871 it was used as the Carbon County Prison from 1871
until January 1995 when it was purchased by Tom McBride and his wife, Betty Lou, of
Jim Thorpe.
Containing approximately 72 rooms, this magnificent structure shouts to all "Be good"!
The building has 27 cells, plus basement dungeon cells used as solitary confinement
until 1980, women's cells on the 2nd floor, and the warden's living quarters across
the front of the building. The warden's apartment has a large living room, dining
room, 2 bedrooms, and a sitting room. The kitchen for the prisoners was the same
kitchen used by the warden's family. In fact, for many years the warden's wife did the
cooking not only for her family but also for the prisoners using the same kitchen for
both.
The building is best known as the site of the hanging of seven Irish coal miners
known as Molly Maguires in the 1800s. On June 21, 1877, today known as the Day
of the Rope, Alexander Campbell, Edward Kelly, Michael Doyle and John Donohue
were hanged at the same time on gallows erected inside the Old Jail Museum cell
block. On March 28, 1878, Thomas P. Fisher was hanged here, and on January 14,
1879, James McDonnell and Charles Sharp were hanged on the same gallows.
Historians today feel the Molly Maguire trials were a surrender of state sovereignty.
A private corporation (a coal/railroad company) initiated an investigation through a
private detective agency (Pinkerton Detectives), a private police force (the Coal & Iron
Police) arrested the alleged offenders, and private attorneys (employees of the coal
companies) prosecuted these men. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided
only the courtroom and the gallows.
Before their hanging, the men proclaimed their innocence and today historians
believe many of the condemned men were falsely accused of murder. Before his
hanging one of the man, thought to be Alexander Campbell, put his hand on the dirty
floor of his cell and then placed it firmly on the wall proclaiming, " This handprint will
remain as proof of my innocence." That handprint is visible today for every to view
even though past wardens tried to eradicate it by washing it, painting it, and even
taking down part of the wall and replastering it.
Do NOT pass Jim Thorpe, go directly to The Old Jail Museum! Hear the story of
the condemned Molly Maguires and see the mysterious handprint on the wall.
| 128 W. Broadway Jim Thorpe, PA 18229 570-325-5259 |
