County Jail

Originally located a few doors away at the corner of Mechanic Street and Park Circle, that building was erected with the jail on the first floor and courtroom above. While Angelica held the County Seat, the jail was moved more conveniently next to the Court House into the rear of the house that was built about 1820. It was used as such until 1895 when the jail in Belmont, the then County Seat, was completed. In the locally-published Executions in Allegany County New York by Robert Dorsey, during the trial and eventual execution of David D How in 1824, the room was described as a “dungeon…..about 12 feet long, 10 feet wide and 6 ½ high. There was an old stove in the room, a straw bed and comfortable clothing for it, and several chairs.” In 1882, it was stated that there were up to 18 prisoners held there on two floors during the trial and eventual execution of John McCarthy. The jail structure, closed in now, can still be seen from the street off the back left side of the house. (Unfortunately, no old photos were available at launch time of this tour.)