Norfolk County Jail

The Norfolk County Jail was a jail located on Village Avenue in Dedham, Massachusetts.[nb 1]

Notable inmates

Notable inmates included Jason Fairbanks and Sacco and Vanzetti.[1] Sacco's seven-year-old son, Dante, would sometimes stand on the sidewalk outside the jail and play catch with his father by throwing a ball over the wall.[1]

Building

The two story stone building was built in 1817 and was 33' square.[2][3] Part of the jail was torn down in 1851 to erect a central, octagonal portion and two wings.[2][3] It resulted in a building with the shape of a Latin cross, and featured Gothic Revival windows.[3] The three tiers of cells radiated out like spokes from the central guardroom.[3]

Inmates were housed in the jail until 1992 when the Norfolk County Correctional Center was opened in 1992.[2] A court forced the closure after 13 inmates escaped in 1989.[1] There were at least 27 break outs during the prison's history.[3]

Hangings

There were two hangings in the central rotunda.[1] First was George C. Hersey on August 8, 1862.[1] Over 300 people received tickets to watch.[1] James H. Costley was hung on June 25, 1875.[1] Again, 300 people watched as his body twitched and convulsed for close to two minutes.[1] One spectator fainted, and others obtained pieces of the hangmans rope to bring home as souvenirs.[1] It was the last execution in Norfolk County.[1]

Condominiums

In 1999, the jail was converted by the Brookline-based Parencorps into a condominium complex known as Stoneleigh.[3] The sale price was more than $1 million.[3] The 24 luxury condominiums were offered for between $450,000 and $650,000, each with between 1,800 to 2,500 square feet.[3]

Notes

  1. This jail replaced the first jail on nearby Highland Street. That jail received its first prisoner in February 1795.[1]

References

  1. Parr 2009.
  2. Dedham Historical Society 2001, p. 11.
  3. The Associated Press (September 13, 1999). "Former Dedham jail being converted into upscale condominiums". South Coast Today. Retrieved August 15, 2019.

Works cited

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