Once a holding site for St. Augustine’s hardest criminals, the Old Jail Museum now offers visitors an educational look at life in the Nation’s Oldest City. Tour a maximum security area and regular cells alike that held prisoners until 1953, learning about fascinating historical accounts of criminal lives in St. Augustine as you go.
- Tour of the Old Jail Museum in St. Augustine, including maximum security cells
- Hear the tales of infamous criminals who once stayed here
- Learn how executions were held in the gallows
- See where the warden and his family lived just footsteps away
- Niche history tour in the Nation’s Oldest City
What To Expect
Old Jail Museum
For nearly 60 years – until 1953 – the Old Jail served as the St. Johns County facility for petty thieves and hardened criminals. There were even eight recorded executions, two of which were accused murderers. Sim Jackson, who was hanged in 1908 after murdering his wife with a straight razor, is among the group.
Today, visitors learn about the infamous Sheriff Perry, who served from 1889 until 1897 and again from 1901 until 1919. His stature as a “big, bold man” at 6’6” and weighing 300 pounds was intimidating even for the most hardcore of inmates. Though popular in the community, Perry was feared amongst cell inhabitants – both male and female – for his reputation of renting out prisoners to local farmers through a leasing system.
Visitors can also take a look at the cell blocks, gallows and sheriff’s quarters. See where the sheriff, his wife and children lived, right upstairs from the prisoners, and how they used their own kitchen to prepare meals for the inmates. A tour through this attraction will show visitors what life was like as an inmate and how the Old Jail helped shape St. Augustine’s history.
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Historic Tours of America – St. Augustine
Experience is offered by Historic Tours of America
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Highlight
Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Children 5 yrs. and younger are free
Free parking available
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Reservations are not accepted; tours operate on a first come, first serve basis on the day of
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Most travelers can participate
Museum is wheelchair accessible on lower floor only.
Include
Admission to Old Jail
Exclude
Transportation to/from attraction
Food and drinks
St. Augustine Old Jail closed on Christmas Day.
Max group – 9
