Old Jail Museum Tour in St. Augustine
by Historic Tours Of America
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$38.32Overview
St. Augustine’s Old Jail Museum on San Marco Avenue presents the historical county jail that operated until 1953. This 30-minute guided walking tour, led by staff portraying former jailers, covers the jail’s cell blocks used for both men and women prisoners, the maximum security section for the most dangerous inmates, and a display of weapons associated with the jail. Visitors learn about Sheriff Perry, who served multiple terms between 1889 and 1919 and was known for his imposing size and the prisoner leasing system he managed. The tour includes a visit to the gallows, the sheriff’s living quarters located above the cells, and the kitchen used by his family to prepare meals for inmates. The museum provides a factual look at the daily conditions prisoners faced and the jail’s role in St. Augustine’s local history. Admission to the Old Jail is included in the ticket price. The museum is wheelchair accessible on the lower floor. No transportation or food is provided, and the jail is closed on Christmas Day. Tours run on a first-come, first-served basis without reservations. Free parking is available, and children aged 5 and under enter free.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Old Jail Museum
The Old Jail was St. Johns County’s detention center for nearly 60 years until 1953, holding petty thieves and serious criminals. There were eight executions recorded, including Sim Jackson, who was hanged in 1908 for killing his wife with a straight razor. Sheriff Perry, who served from 1889 to 1897 and again from 1901 to 1919, was a large man at 6’6” and 300 pounds, feared by inmates for leasing prisoners to local farmers. Visitors can see the cell blocks, gallows, and the sheriff’s living quarters above the cells, where his family prepared meals for inmates. This stop explains prisoner life and the jail’s role in St. Augustine’s history.
30 min
Historic Tours of America - St. Augustine, FL
This tour is operated by Historic Tours of America.
30 min
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Old Jail Museum Tour in St. Augustine
by Historic Tours Of America
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$38.32Overview
St. Augustine’s Old Jail Museum on San Marco Avenue presents the historical county jail that operated until 1953. This 30-minute guided walking tour, led by staff portraying former jailers, covers the jail’s cell blocks used for both men and women prisoners, the maximum security section for the most dangerous inmates, and a display of weapons associated with the jail. Visitors learn about Sheriff Perry, who served multiple terms between 1889 and 1919 and was known for his imposing size and the prisoner leasing system he managed. The tour includes a visit to the gallows, the sheriff’s living quarters located above the cells, and the kitchen used by his family to prepare meals for inmates. The museum provides a factual look at the daily conditions prisoners faced and the jail’s role in St. Augustine’s local history. Admission to the Old Jail is included in the ticket price. The museum is wheelchair accessible on the lower floor. No transportation or food is provided, and the jail is closed on Christmas Day. Tours run on a first-come, first-served basis without reservations. Free parking is available, and children aged 5 and under enter free.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Old Jail Museum
The Old Jail was St. Johns County’s detention center for nearly 60 years until 1953, holding petty thieves and serious criminals. There were eight executions recorded, including Sim Jackson, who was hanged in 1908 for killing his wife with a straight razor. Sheriff Perry, who served from 1889 to 1897 and again from 1901 to 1919, was a large man at 6’6” and 300 pounds, feared by inmates for leasing prisoners to local farmers. Visitors can see the cell blocks, gallows, and the sheriff’s living quarters above the cells, where his family prepared meals for inmates. This stop explains prisoner life and the jail’s role in St. Augustine’s history.
30 min
Historic Tours of America - St. Augustine, FL
This tour is operated by Historic Tours of America.
30 min
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.