Old Tolland County Jail And Museum

About Us:

During the 19th Century, Tolland was the hub of law and order for all of Tolland County. All those who broke the law in any of the towns of Tolland County were tried in the Courthouse, and, if found guilty of misdemeanors requiring jail time of up to one year, would serve their time here, probably working in the barns and gardens on the property and on the 100 acre farm property where the High School was later built. They might also be assigned to help in the jail kitchen.

Those accused of felony crimes would be held here until trial, perhaps moving on to the state prisons, occasionally returning here for a year or less. They were not allowed out of the cellblock to work while awaiting trial. The oldest remaining portion of the jail itself, the stone portion dating from 1856, was the fourth jail built here. The last section was added later in the 19th Century. The jail was operated by the county until 1960, and by the state from 1960 to 1968. The 32-cell facility is of interest to young and old. Even some former inmates have visited the jail, and have told stories of life at the old "Hollyhock Hotel", as it was affectionately known.

Before a disastrous fire in 1893, there was an actual hotel attached to the jail. It was known as the County House. People having business with the courts, and other travelers, needed a place to stay, meals, and a livery stable to provide transportation or tend to the needs of their horses. After the courts moved to Rockville, the hotel was no longer needed, and when it burned to the ground it was replaced by a residence for the jailer and his family.