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WHEN YOU'RE IN ST. AUGUSTINE...

VISITING THE OLD JAIL IS AN ABSOLUTE MUST!

Step Back in Time

This extraordinary landmark, proudly listed in the National Register of Historic Places, offers a captivating glimpse into the lives of the city’s most infamous prisoners from the 19th and early 20th centuries. You’ll step back in time as you explore this stunning Romanesque Revival-style building, which has been carefully restored to provide an immersive experience for visitors.

Prepare to be transported into the past as you interact with costumed actors who bring the stories of the jail and its inhabitants to life. You will also see an impressive collection of weapons and artifacts to examine up close, providing a truly immersive and educational experience.

aerial view of St. Augustine Old Jail Museum

This exceptional destination promises an unforgettable historical adventure. For the brave at heart, it even offers the chance for paranormal encounters on a spine-tingling St. Augustine ghost tour.

Escape To The

Old Jail Museum

​​In 1878, oil tycoon Henry Flagler left behind his wealthy life in New York City and traveled to Jacksonville, Florida, with his wife Mary, who had tuberculosis. Doctors had advised them to head south, hoping the warmer weather would help her recover, but sadly, Mary passed away. Not long after, Flagler remarried and moved on to St. Augustine. Born in New York to a Presbyterian minister, Flagler’s early career included ventures in grain and salt, with mixed results. His big break came when he teamed up with John D. Rockefeller to create Standard Oil, becoming a key figure in America’s oil refining industry by the age of 40. Even with a mansion on Fifth Avenue and a booming business, by the mid-1880s, his focus shifted south.

HITTING THE GROUND WITH

Real Estate Investments

Henry Flagler saw great potential in St. Augustine but realized it lacked proper accommodations, leading him to invest heavily in real estate, including the iconic Hotel Ponce de Leon.

In 1891, Flagler commissioned the same company that would later build Alcatraz to construct a new jail on San Marco Avenue, just north of downtown. To avoid scaring away investors and to keep the city’s charm intact, he had the building cleverly disguised.

With the old jail no longer downtown, the St. Johns County Commission began the search for a new builder and ultimately chose the Pauly Jail Company. Known for their successful projects across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, the company was run by brothers Peter Joseph and John Pauly. Originally blacksmiths in St. Louis, they transitioned to prison construction as steamboat traffic declined. The Pauly brothers became well-known for their expertise in building portable cells and steel cages.

backside of Old Jail Museum
Old Jail sheriff car
Old Jail open cell
Old Jail Museum door
Old Jail gallows
Old Jail cells
Old Jail sitting room
Old Jail typewriter
Old Jail kitchen
old jail inmates sculpture
Old Jail exterior
family visiting Old Jail exhibit

The Old Jail Museum is

A fun and historic outing for adults and children

Plan Your Visit

Get ready to experience one of St. Augustine’s most unique attractions! Whether you’re joining us for a daytime tour or a nighttime ghost hunt, the Old Jail offers a glimpse into the city’s darker history.

Explore St. Augustine’s Old Jail

Step inside the historic Old Jail, where costumed guides share the chilling stories of infamous criminals and their harsh lives behind bars. Built by Henry Flagler in 1891, this Romanesque-style jail is a must-see for history buffs and adventure seekers.

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guests and guide inside the Old Jail with sheriff looking on

Uncover the Paranormal After Dark

Embark on a chilling two-hour and 30-minute night tour that delves into the haunted history of the Old Jail. Join a small group of ghost hunters and explore the spirits that still linger within this historical site. With expert guides and ghost-hunting tools in hand, prepare for an unforgettable experience filled with eerie encounters and mysterious phenomena.

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Some of Our

Tour Highlights

Historical Re-enactments

Time-travel with inmates from the past

Knowledgeable Guides

Hear harrowing prison tales

Educational & Entertaining

Learn about old-time justice behind bars

parchment and image of couple and guard at old jail

Interactive Experience

Touch history.

Schedule

OLD JAIL
DAY TOURS

With knowledgeable guides leading the way, both kids and adults will enjoy stepping into St. Augustine’s colorful past.

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OLD JAIL
AFTER DARK

Step into the shadows of St. Augustine’s Old Jail and experience the thrill of a real paranormal investigation.

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REVIEWS

WHAT OUR GUESTS ARE SAYING

Fran is a huge asset to The Old Jail

Just wanted to reach out and say that Fran is a huge asset to the team at the Old Jail. Of course, we only just met him yesterday evening, but you can see a lot of passion that he has and he very much made our experience 100x better (and it was already really really great). Thanks again!

M.L, Orlando, FL

I have never been on a tour that was so good!

Our jail tour guide had the best personality, he made the whole tour worth it!

T.C.

Scarlett was amazing!

She really brought the tour to life.

A.M.

Our guide was totally awesome!

What a great place to visit, get put in jail and get released all in the same day, lol.

R.F.

Excellent time in jail... just visiting

This is our third time visiting the old jail with our children and we still love it. The history, the location, it’s all very interesting, a little scary and fun. Cecil was our host this time and he did a great job. We really hope you set him free someday for good behavior.

Davett27
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QUESTIONS? WE HAVE ANSWERS

FAQs

The Old Jail day tour is open daily on a first come-first served basis beginning at 9:00am with early 3:00pm closure on Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve. Closed Christmas Day. For the best ticket price, we recommend purchasing online in advance. Upon arrival, you’ll be assigned a tour time, with guided tours departing every 15 minutes.

 

Reservations are required for the Old Jail After Dark Paranormal evening experience. Please check in at the Old Jail 15 minutes prior to your scheduled tour time.

The Old Jail Museum day tour is approximately 30 minutes long. The Old Jail After Dark Paranormal Experience is approximately 2 hours & 30 minutes.

Children of all ages are welcome at the Old Jail during the day. The Old Jail After Dark Paranormal Experience requires all guests to be at least 13 years old.

Free parking is available for patrons at The Old Jail at 167 San Marco Avenue.

This tour requires going up and down stairs with ADA access on the first floor only of this historic building. For those guests who are unable to take the stairs, we are happy to provide a complete visual presentation of the second floor.

Hearing Impaired guests: Please make our CASTmembers aware if you require accommodations. We will gladly provide a tour script guide upon request.

No food or drinks are allowed.

All of our tours are in English.

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