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Armstrong County Jail

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1873, James McCullough Jr. 1981–1982, L. Robert Kimball and Associates. 500 E. Market St.
  • (Photograph by Matthew Aungst)

While most Gothic Revival buildings attempt to recall the graceful, spiritually uplifting forms of a medieval cathedral, this jail is modeled on a castle. The heavily crenellated building of Clarion County golden sandstone has two projecting towers on the facade and a high watchtower in the center. The main entrance is recessed between the two towers. Special features are incorporated into the design to prevent prisoners from escaping. Between a convict and freedom are two-and-one-half feet of brick threaded with steel bands to prevent tunneling, and a series of iron plates in the floor to prevent digging. The roof has been reinforced since its original construction. A brick version (1873–1874) of this building, also designed by James McCullough, stands in Clarion ( CL2), and the 1868–1869 prison in Hollidaysburg, Blair County, designed by Edward Haviland, may have been the model ( BL3). In 1981, L. Robert Kimball redesigned the cell blocks, guardrooms, control center, and visiting area, turning what was originally the warden's apartment into offices and installing modern security devices.

Writing Credits

Author: 
Lu Donnelly et al.
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Data

What's Nearby

Armstrong County Courthouse
Calarie and Owen Law Offices (Colwell House, Old Library)
Grace Presbyterian Church
North Water Street District
Ross House

Citation

Lu Donnelly et al., "Armstrong County Jail", [Kittanning, Pennsylvania], SAH Archipedia, eds. Gabrielle Esperdy and Karen Kingsley, Charlottesville: UVaP, 2012—, http://sah-archipedia.org/buildings/PA-01-AR2.

Print Source

Cover: Buildings of PA vol 1

Buildings of Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania, Lu Donnelly, H. David Brumble IV, and Franklin Toker. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2010, 190-190.

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