Harrisburg in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Old Dauphin County Prison
Photographed By William Pfingsten, March 21, 2008
1. Old Dauphin County Prison Marker
Inscription.
Old Dauphin County Prison. . The second Dauphin County Prison stood on the southeast corner of Walnut and Court Streets. Completed in 1841, it replaced a log structure erected circa 1792 at the time that the first Dauphin County Courthouse was built directly behind this property on Market Street. In 1899, the Prison was enlarged through the addition of a third story and expanded exterior walls by employing similar gothic and castle-like architectural features to that of the earlier prison building. Although the Prison's physical adjacency to the Courthouse ended in 1943 when the present Courthouse was completed at nearby Front and Market Streets, the Prison continued in use until 1956 when the current Dauphin County Prison in Swatara Township was opened. The old Prison was demolished the following year. , Left Photo , The Prison is shown in 1904 from Court Street toward Walnut Street with added third story and new facade. Note the second Dauphin County Courthouse cupola in the background. , Right Photo , 1885 view of the original prison completed in 1841 prior to its alterations in 1899.
The second Dauphin County Prison stood on the southeast corner of Walnut and Court Streets. Completed in 1841, it replaced a log structure erected circa 1792 at the time that the first Dauphin County Courthouse was built directly behind this property on Market Street. In 1899, the Prison was enlarged through the addition of a third story and expanded exterior walls by employing similar gothic and castle-like architectural features to that of the earlier prison building. Although the Prison's physical adjacency to the Courthouse ended in 1943 when the present Courthouse was completed at nearby Front and Market Streets, the Prison continued in use until 1956 when the current Dauphin County Prison in Swatara Township was opened. The old Prison was demolished the following year. Left Photo
The Prison is shown in 1904 from Court Street toward Walnut Street with added third story and new facade. Note the second Dauphin County Courthouse cupola in the background.
Right Photo
1885 view of the original prison completed in 1841 prior to its alterations in 1899.
Erected by The Harrisburg History Project Commissioned by Mayor Stephen R. Reed.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture
Location. 40° 15.663′ N, 76° 52.972′ W. Marker is in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in Dauphin County. Marker is at the intersection of Walnut Street and Court Street, on the right when traveling west on Walnut Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Harrisburg PA 17101, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 22, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 29, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,338 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on March 29, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.
