Cambria County's Old Stone Jail in Pennsylvania

Step Inside the Cambria County Old Stone Jail: History, Haunts, and Heritage

Nestled in the heart of Ebensburg, Pennsylvania, at 201 North Center Street, stands a towering remnant of 19th-century justice: the Cambria County Old Stone Jail. With its imposing 22-foot-high stone walls and striking Gothic Revival architecture, this historic fortress has commanded attention since the 1800s.

Whether you're a history buff, an architecture enthusiast, or an amateur ghost hunter, the Old Stone Jail offers a fascinating glimpse into the past.

A "Welsh Castle" Built for Justice

Constructed in 1872, the jail was built to serve the growing needs of Cambria County. At the time of its construction, some critics jokingly referred to the formidable sandstone building as a "Welsh castle," nodding both to its design and Ebensburg's Welsh roots.

The building is an architectural marvel of its era. Standing 60 feet tall, 100 feet deep, and 56 feet wide, it features pointed drop arch windows and an intimidating front entrance tower. Inside, the floors may be made of wood, but solid iron lies just beneath the surface to prevent breakouts.

Despite its massive size, the facility struggled with severe overcrowding early on. Originally designed with only 27 cells, the jail once held a staggering 123 men. To ease the burden, a new cell block featuring an additional 52 cells was constructed in 1910.

The Infamous Escape of "Mickey" Smith

You can't talk about the Cambria County Old Stone Jail without mentioning its most legendary inmate: Michael "Mickey" Smith. In 1884, Smith was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. However, Mickey had other plans.

Shortly before his scheduled execution, Smith managed to pull off an impossible escape. Leaving only a cheeky farewell letter addressed to the warden, he vanished from his locked cell without a trace and was never seen again. How he managed to escape the heavily guarded, iron-fortified prison remains one of the jail's greatest unsolved mysteries.

A Paranormal Playground

The jail officially closed its doors to inmates in 1997, but some say the building is far from empty. Thanks to a long, documented history of paranormal sightings, the Old Stone Jail has become a hotspot for ghost hunters and paranormal investigators. The lingering energy of former inmates—and perhaps the restless spirit of Mickey Smith himself—has drawn national attention. The jail has been prominently featured on popular paranormal television shows, including Season 3 of Paranormal Lockdown and Season 2 of Destination Fear. Visitors and tour guides frequently report unexplained noises, shadowy figures, and eerie sensations within the damp, stone corridors.

Restoration and a New Life

Today, the Cambria County Old Stone Jail is experiencing a massive rebirth. In 2022, the property was purchased by DSherwoodD Enterprises with a vision to carefully restore the National Registered Historical Building to its original turn-of-the-century glory.

The jail now operates as a vibrant, multi-use community space. It regularly hosts historical walkthroughs, thrilling prison tours, and spine-chilling haunted events. As the restoration and modernization projects continue, plans are in place to expand the property to include banquet spaces, retail shops, and even a breakfast/brunch spot.