A Brief History of Charleston’s Old City Jail

For the bulk of America’s population, the idea of visiting a jail creates a very broad spectrum of emotion— from curiosity to horror. The “Old Jail” of Charleston elicits all of those emotions because of the reality and folklore that surrounds it. As noted by frequent visitors of Charleston (Michal and Lin Easton of Hendersonville, NC): “...the Southern air was alive and well, but... inside these walls [it] was truly the last breath of so many from years before.”

Reality, of necessity, is tied to the origin and use of the jail as well as the design, construction, and multiple renovations required by the several acts of God visited upon this edifice.

The Charleston district jail was built in 1802 and served the district until 1939 and housed many inmates from various walks of life over the years. A four-acre site, a portion of which was allotted for the Old Jail, was designated by the City of Charleston for public use. It also included space for a hospital, a poorhouse, and a work house for runaway slaves.

The original structure was four stories tall with a two-story octagonal tower. Later renovations and reconstructions included: a rear octagonal wing, expansions to the main building, and the Romanesque revival details. The fireproof wing, designed in 1822 by Robert Mills, was replaced by Barbot & Seyle’s designs. The earthquake of 1886 caused the removal of the badly damaged tower and top-story of the main building. All that remains today are the three stories. However, it is noted that Bulldog Tours (who currently guides guests on haunted visits) will be contributing a large amount toward the reconstruction of the Old Jail.

Some of Charleston’s most infamous criminals & Civil War Federal Prisoners of War called this “home.” “Notable” inmates included: Stede Bonnet and his crew (1718), John & Lavinia Fisher (1819-1820), some of the final remaining sea pirates (1821), and Denmark Vessey (1822). Of these, the most vicious was Lavinia. She was the first female serial killer in the United States. To this day, she is said to be roaming the halls of the Old Jail as her famous last words were: “If you have a message for the Devil, tell me and I’ll deliver it myself.”

When you look at the face of the building it drives home the fact that people have been there and heard things... voices... screams; seen things move... felt the cool breezes rush over them... or even had the hairs on the back of their necks tingle! As one tours the building, the realization that thousands of inmates died within these walls, the idea that some of their spirits remain, easily leads one to wonder whether what they heard or felt or thought they saw just might be one of those lingering souls.

~ David Joyner