Nestled beside the Lackawaxen River in Honesdale, PA, the Old Stone Jail is one of the great historic buildings in Wayne County. When Honesdale became the county seat in 1841, a wooden jail was built on the site, but jailbreaks were frequent, and the stone jail was opened in 1859.

The interior can best be described as a dungeon, cold in winter, stifling in summer. Unfortunately, this jail proved no more successful at detaining the local criminal element than the earlier hoosegow.

The most notorious escape was that of James McCabe in 1887. McCabe was sentenced to hang for murder but managed to break out and remained at large for several months before he was recaptured and finally hanged.

Thanks to the Wayne County Commissioners, the Wayne County Historical Society opens the jail to the public from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on the second Saturday of every warm weather month. The last free open house of 2015 is scheduled for Saturday, October 10.

From the collection of the Wayne County Historical Society 810 Main St., Honesdale. The museum and research library are open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a. m. to 4 p. m. and museum only 12 noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.