Lancaster in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Old Jail

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 13, 2018

1. Old Jail Marker

Inscription. The Lancaster jail was located a half block to the north from 1753 to 1851. The last remaining Conestoga Indians were held here in protective custody in 1763. They were killed by a vigilante group, the Paxton Boys. No arrests were made.

Erected 2013 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Law Enforcement • Native Americans • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1753.

Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 40° 2.268′ N, 76° 18.482′ W. Marker was in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in Lancaster County. Marker was on West King Street west of North Prince Street (State Highway 462), on the left when traveling east. Marker is located along the sidewalk on the north side of King Street. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 105 West King Street, Lancaster PA 17603, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. African-American Women Escape County Jail, 1835 (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Conestoga Indian Massacre (within shouting distance of

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this marker); Fulton Opera House (within shouting distance of this marker); John Durang (within shouting distance of this marker); John F. Reynolds (within shouting distance of this marker); Reynolds House (within shouting distance of this marker); Early Architecture (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Steinman Hardware Building (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lancaster.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. The Conestoga Indian Massacre of 1763

Also see . . .
1. Massacre of the Conestoga Indians, 1763: incidents and details. There are few, if any, murders to be compared with the cruel murder committed on the Conestoga Indians in the gaol of Lancaster in 1763, by the Paxton Boys (as they were then called). From fifteen to twenty Indians, as report stated, were placed there for protection. A regiment of Highlanders were at the time quartered at the barracks in the town, and yet these murderers were permitted to break open the doors of the city gaol and commit the horrid deed.

Old Jail Marker (<i>tall view; looking west along King Street</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 13, 2018

2. Old Jail Marker (tall view; looking west along King Street)

(Submitted on August 13, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Old Jail and Fulton Opera House (MarkerQuest blog). Information and images pertaining to the location's history. (Submitted on August 26, 2020, by Laura Klotz of Northampton, Pennsylvania.)

Additional commentary.
1. Marker to be replaced by State of Pennsylvania.
Last August a delivery truck backed into the marker and sheared off the sign pole at the base. The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission will replace the marker in about 4 months.

— Submitted May 9, 2022, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.

Old Jail Marker (<i>wide view looking north across King Street; marker at left</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 13, 2018

3. Old Jail Marker (wide view looking north across King Street; marker at left)

Old Jail Marker (<i>wide view looking west across Prince Street; marker at left</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 13, 2018

4. Old Jail Marker (wide view looking west across Prince Street; marker at left)

Old Jail Marker No Longer Exists as of October 2021 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Shane Oliver, October 23, 2021

5. Old Jail Marker No Longer Exists as of October 2021

Credits. This page was last revised on May 9, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 885 times since then and 53 times this year. Last updated on November 18, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 13, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 5. submitted on November 13, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.