mariposa county's old stone jail

HowardJ335

This was next to our hotel and we happened to see it driving by. It's just a small stone building made of really large stones. No one was there, there's no tours or anything like that that I could see. You just stand outside and look.

ldo96

Something to see. Can't see inside, but has an interesting history. I posted a picture of my dad, his dad, and his dad's mom. Not sure of the date.

KentS385

This is a quick, while you are passing by, attraction. Its two blocks off hwy 140 through town. Its a small building, dating back to the 1800's and you cannot get in side. There is a plaque on the side that is worth a read.

440erins

You can't see inside the building. Everything is locked up and visually blocked. It stands in a residential area, no parking.

348RobertB

As a "local" I've spent a lot of time (visiting) in this old stone building. During the summer months, there is frequently a guided tour available. During the off-season, you will have to make friends with a "local" who "might" be able to "hook-you-up" with a "friend" who "might" have the key. It's really worth the effort though. You will have the opportunity to appreciate just how difficult life was for our early pioneers and how harsh the environment was, particularly for those who broke the law! There is another Old Stone Jail in Hornitos that can be visited as part of a tour of that old town as well.

MikeH636

Just a couple of blocks from downtown and a great example of how jail should be. No frills, solid rock walls and well ventillated. This is a perfectlty preserved 1850's jail house. Pretty cool and I wouldn't miss it especially on the way to see the old courthouse. (oldest still operating courthouse west of the Mississippi).

207laurar

We went on a Sunday, and were pleasantly surprised to have Neil give us a tour. I'm not sure when else he is there, as we were expecting to peek inside and read the plaque on the front. Having worked for the sheriff's department, he was the perfect host. The graffiti on the walls scrawled by actual prisoners was eerie, as was the sound of that door closing! Neil's wife, Susan who also worked for the sheriff's department, gives the tour at the courthouse. We chose not to use it, but their daughter runs a sightseeing trolley around town too. Again, we were there on a Sunday, so I am not sure which other days you will get this treat.

Mtngran

This old jail was in use in Mariposa until about 1960. It looks small from the outside, but inside it is actually 2 floors. On display are some of the old beds, manacles, etc that were used in that era.

Kim38EdenPrairie

We thought this was very interesting. The Volunteer was informative and took the job seriously. A bit of history (if someone thought you were insane, you ended up here) The conditions were inhuman. Worth a stop in.

jimages

The story was nice to read about but all you can see is a building from the outside. Not much to see.

AnneSB_12

Yep, there is was in the old book from the 1960's. My uncle had been locked up in this old jail. I figured he had, since he'd made it a point to get locked up in every county in California at least once. So having the old registries was great. Not a lot to see, but, dang, it must have been cold in winter. Worth having a look at a real western jail. Judge for yourself whether you could pull the bars out of the window by pulling on them with a rope and horse.

luisr751

stone jail with tiny peep windows solid granite very ideal for holding politicians in custody until they agree to balance the budget no way to escape!

Kimham11

Old jail, cannot look or go inside. People next door live in a hundred year old home and walk their dog and cat over (they said habitually) to use the bathroom on the property and leave poo around while I parked and visited the site. I told them it was a tourist attraction on the Internet and they were surprised. But apparently the gentleman has access and on occasion has allowed visitors inside.

ronloris

you can't see anything inside this jail...........................

BSalazar

Love the history of the location; a nice place to explore in the Sierra foothills.