Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States South Carolina Lancaster Lancaster County Jail

Lancaster County Jail

This historic jailhouse was designed by famed architect Robert Mills.

Lancaster, South Carolina

Added By
Ian Grohs
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
  EssenceOfChaos / Atlas Obscura User
Lancaster County Jail   igrohs / Atlas Obscura User
Lancaster County Jail   igrohs / Atlas Obscura User
Lancaster County Jail   igrohs / Atlas Obscura User
Lancaster County Jail   igrohs / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

The Lancaster County Jail was designed by Robert Mills and built in 1823. The building was designated a national historic landmark in 1973 due to its connection to Robert Mills, who is recognized as the first American-born architect, and who is most famously known for designing the Washington Monument.

The building incorporates several design features that are linked to jail reforms intended to improve living conditions for both prisoners and guards. A few of these changes included separate living quarters for the inmates and guards, separating debtors from other inmates, and improving airflow into the building to name a few.

The facility is beautifully preserved and can be viewed from Gay Street in Lancaster. 

Related Tags

Design Architecture Jails

Community Contributors

Added By

igrohs

Edited By

EssenceOfChaos

  • EssenceOfChaos

Published

October 4, 2023

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Lancaster County Jail
208 W Gay St
Lancaster, South Carolina, 29720
United States
34.718325, -80.772035
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Lancaster County Courthouse

Lancaster, South Carolina

miles away

North Corner Boundary Stone

Lancaster, South Carolina

miles away

Landsford Canal State Park

Fort Lawn, South Carolina

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Lancaster

Lancaster

South Carolina

Places 3

Nearby Places

Lancaster County Courthouse

Lancaster, South Carolina

miles away

North Corner Boundary Stone

Lancaster, South Carolina

miles away

Landsford Canal State Park

Fort Lawn, South Carolina

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Lancaster

Lancaster

South Carolina

Places 3

Related Places

  • The small concert room.

    Liverpool, England

    St George's Hall

    Charles Dickens described the concert room in this amazing Victorian hall as "the most perfect room in the world."

  • The Carillon tower.

    Quezon City, Philippines

    UP Carillon Tower’s Original Bells

    Student protesters used these bells as symbols of defiance in the early 1970s.

  • Olongapo, Philippines

    Subic Spanish Gate

    This impressive gate is the only remaining remnant of a Spanish naval station.

  • Şehzadeler, Turkey

    Saruhan Bey Pine Tree

    A centuries-old pine tree is growing through the floor and roof of this building.

  • Castillo de Iscar (Iscar Castle)

    Iscar, Spain

    Castillo de Iscar (Iscar Castle)

    This Castilian castle has stood the test of time like few others.

  • Casa Navàs

    Reus, Spain

    Casa Navàs

    Built between 1901 and 1908, this building is one of the most iconic examples of modernist architecture in Spain.

  • Bibliotheca Alexandrina

    Alexandria, Egypt

    Bibliotheca Alexandrina

    The lost library of Alexandria, revived as a spearhead of cultural preservation.

  • Uránia Nemzeti Filmszínház

    Budapest, Hungary

    Uránia Nemzeti Filmszínház

    A stunning Art Nouveau cinema in the heart of Budapest.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.