Old Essex County Jail
Old Essex County Jail | |
Essex County Jail in 1940. | |
| Location | Corner of Newark and New Streets, Newark, New Jersey |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 40°44′40″N 74°10′58″W / 40.74444°N 74.18278°W |
| Area | 1.5 acres (0.61 ha) |
| Built | 1837-1926 |
| Architect | John Haviland |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Italianate |
| Website | oldessexcountyjail |
| NRHP reference No. | 91001366 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | September 3, 1991 |
| Designated NJRHP | March 11, 1991 |
The old Essex County Jail is located in the University Heights section of Newark, Essex County, New Jersey, United States. The jail is Essex County's oldest public building and a national landmark of value for its architectural and social history. The complex consists of about 20 structures of various size, age, and function ranging in date from the 1830s to 1930s. Collectively, they represent the evolution of American prison history over 100 years. For the quality of its architecture, its social history, and its links to the 1967 Newark Riots, this jail was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 3, 1991. The site has been abandoned since 1971 and remains property of the City of Newark.