Associated Press
SUNBURY, Pa. — Two historical organizations are urging officials of a central Pennsylvania county to preserve a nearly 140-year-old prison despite heavy damage from a fire last week.
County officials have called the Northumberland County Prison a total loss that cannot be rebuilt at its current location, but haven’t said whether they plan to demolish the castle-like building.
Victoria Rosancrans, a member of both the Northumberland County Historical Society and Sunbury Old Towne Neighborhood Council, said the structure should be kept even if the prison isn’t rebuilt.
“I think this is one way to get our citizens together and have some pride,” she said.
Cindy Inkrote, who is on the historical society board, told The (Sunbury) Daily Item that “there would be resistance” to the idea of tearing the building down.
“There’s no other building in the city that has the same type of architectural look to it,” she said. “It gives the city a unique flavor. It’s important to maintain it.”
The prison isn’t listed on the National Register by the Bureau for Historic Preservation but is listed as a significant element in the city’s historic district. According to a seven-page National Register form, “The architecturally imposing county courthouse (1865) and county jail (1876) reflect Sunbury’s past pre-eminence in government.”
The fire Wednesday afternoon prompted evacuation of the 208 inmates to a nearby church and later to state prisons. The cause remains under investigation.
County officials have said they plan to explore regionalizing the jail system with neighboring counties.