Architectural Significance and Design
The Burlington County Prison, operating from 1811 to 1965, is a gem of architectural history, symbolizing the period’s prison design principles. The jail in Mount Holly, New Jersey, was designed by Robert Mills, a protégé of Benjamin Latrobe.
Mills, who had recently completed a design on a prison in South Carolina, brought his innovative ideas to constructing the Burlington County Prison. The three-story masonry structure is U-shaped, built from stone with an ashlar finish, and topped with a hip-style roof. In addition, it features individual cells, good ventilation, and fireproof construction – all cutting-edge features in early 19th-century prison design.
The jail’s design aimed to reform inmates, a sentiment reflected in the motto Robert Mills chose, inscribed above the door: “Justice Which, While it Punishes, Would Endeavor to Reform the Offender.”
The Operation of the Burlington County Prison
The Burlington County Prison in Mount Holly, New Jersey, established in 1811 and active until 1965, is a historic monument with a profound history.
Initial Years
In the early years of the prison, it was known as a “Workhouse and Jail.” The purpose was not only to incarcerate but also to rehabilitate. Inmates, especially debtors, were expected to engage in work, such as basket or broom making, to earn their keep and contribute to the cost of their confinement.
However, details about inmates’ work and effectiveness remain largely unknown due to the scarcity of records.
Over the Years
The Burlington County Prison continued to serve its purpose for over 150 years, making it the oldest operating prison in the United States at its closure. Despite the changing times, the prison structure remained unchanged, retaining its original doors, vaulted ceilings of poured concrete, and brick and stone construction.
In the 1950s, plans were proposed to demolish the prison and replace it with a modern facility. Nonetheless, these propositions were confronted with fierce resistance from groups dedicated to historic preservation, which ensured the prison’s operation until it finally shut its doors in 1965.
At the time of its closure, the prison, designed initially to house approximately 40 prisoners, was overcrowded with over 100 inmates.
Paranormal Activities at the Burlington County Prison
Since its closure and conversion into a museum, the Burlington County Prison has been a hotbed of reported paranormal activity. Sightings of apparitions and unexplained phenomena have made the prison a point of interest for ghost hunters and enthusiasts alike.
Joel Clough
The first reports of paranormal activity can be traced back to 1833, following the execution of Joel Clough, who was buried on the premises. Guards and prisoners reported hearing moaning, rattling chains, and smelling cigarette smoke from the “dungeon.”
Renovation Anomalies
During renovations in the 1990s, workers reported hearing sounds and seeing apparitions throughout the building. In addition, tools would disappear and reappear in locked cells, leading to speculation of supernatural interference.
Paranormal Investigations
The frequent reports of ghostly activity prompted an investigation by a paranormal team. The team found evidence of the prison’s haunted, including recorded voices, orbs captured on film, and spikes in the electromagnetic field. As a result of these investigations, the Burlington County Prison has been recognized as one of the most haunted buildings in New Jersey.
Multiple research groups have since visited the prison, using various equipment to record and analyze the paranormal activity. Their findings, including voices on digital recorders, orbs on camera, and electromagnetic field disturbances, have only added to the prison’s reputation as a haunted location.
Key Figures and the Evolution of the Burlington County Prison
Over the years, several figures have played an essential role in Burlington County Prison’s history:
John Bispham
One of the key figures in the prison construction was John Bispham, a freeholder and a Quaker, who was instrumental in the decision to build a new jail in Mt. Holly.
Robert Mills
The prison was designed by Robert Mills, a Quaker known for his belief in reforming inmates through religious instruction, education, and vocational training.
Delia Biddle Pugh and Jay Tomlinson
Delia Biddle Pugh and Jay Tomlinson were leaders of the groups that opposed the demolition of the prison in the 1950s. Their efforts led to the preservation of the building and its eventual recognition as a National Historic Landmark.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Burlington County Prison in Mount Holly, New Jersey, is an architectural landmark and site deeply woven into local and national history.
Its unique architectural design, controversial debates around its preservation, a significant role in criminal reform during its time, and the eerie tales of paranormal activity all contribute to its present reputation and status as a museum.
Today, the prison serves as a stark reminder of the past while continuing to intrigue visitors with its haunted tales. Its journey from being a site of penal reform to a paranormal hotspot makes it one of the most distinctive historical landmarks in the United States.
