This Tour Of An Abandoned Mississippi Prison Is An Experience Unlike Any Other

There are a ton of sites in Mississippi that make re-visiting the past a real possibility – and the Old Jail Museum is one of them. Just like the name implies, the old jail has been transformed into a museum, retaining many of its original attributes. But you don’t have to take our word for it. The former jail now offers tours, so you can see it for yourself. Take a look:

The charming town of Canton is home to several unique sites, including the Old Madison County Jail, which was in use from 1870 – 1969.

Today, the building is the headquarters for the Canton-Madison County Historical Society, but the bars on the windows serve as a sign of its former life as a jail.

The bars aren’t the only sign of the building’s past, though. The well preserved interior is definitely another indication.

Touring an old jail is intriguing enough on its own, but there are other reasons that make a visit to this jail even more interesting.

Not only is the building one of Mississippi’s best preserved 19th century penal facilities, but it’s also a significant example of post Civil War architecture.

The historical society offers tours of the old jail on Wednesdays and the 2nd Saturday of each month, so be sure to plan your visit accordingly.

Knowledgeable guides make for some extremely informative tours and one memorable experience.

In addition to the jail, the grounds also include a historic log cabin and cemetery that you can tour. Dating back to 1777, the cemetery is believed to be the town’s original cemetery.

For more information, call (769) 218-0666. You can also visit the Canton-Madison County Historical Society Facebook page.

Address: 234 E Fulton Street, Canton, MS, 39046

This isn’t the state’s only unique museum. Read about another here.