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

The Old Bradford County Jail

109 Pine St.

Photographed by Don Morfe, October 13, 2015

1. The Old Bradford County Jail Marker

Inscription. The old jail is located in the center of Towanda’s Historic District. Avery Frank, architect and contractor from Montrose, designed and built the jail. His plan included a stone dwelling for the sheriff and his family. A three-story cell block and a prison yard enclosed by a 20-foot stone wall, all built with locally quarried stone. The jail was occupied in 1873 and was praised for its modern design. By 1913 it was considered seriously outdated. A complete modernization took place in 1949-50, which included removal of the ventilation tower. The jail closed in 1991. County commissioners transferred the property to Bradford County Historical Society in 1998. Renovation activity began in 1999 to convert the jail into a museum, research library and early records archive.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Law Enforcement. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.

Location. 41° 45.978′ N, 76° 26.635′ W. Marker is in Towanda, Pennsylvania, in Bradford County. It is on Pine Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 109 Pine Street, Towanda PA 18848,

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United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Masonic Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Universalist Unitarian Church (within shouting distance of this marker); History of 312 Main St. (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Means House (about 300 feet away); Citizens National Bank Building (about 300 feet away); Frank Overton House (about 300 feet away); Century Farm Program (about 400 feet away); Bradford County Courthouse (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Towanda.

The Old Bradford County Jail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, October 13, 2015

2. The Old Bradford County Jail

Credits. This page was last revised on July 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 6, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,150 times since then and 69 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 6, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.