Old Newgate Prison

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Old New-Gate Prison
(U.S. National Historic Landmark)
Location: Newgate Road, East Granby, Connecticut
Coordinates: 41°57′42.89″N 72°44′44.01″W / 41.9619139, -72.7455583Coordinates: 41°57′42.89″N 72°44′44.01″W / 41.9619139, -72.7455583
Built/Founded: 1775
Architect: Unknown
Designated as NHL: November 28, 1972[1]
Added to NRHP: October 15, 1970[2]
NRHP Reference#: 70000839
Governing body: State

Old Newgate Prison was a Colonial American prison in what is now East Granby, Connecticut. It is now a historic site.

The prison was originally a copper mine, opened in 1705, and is believed to be the first copper mine in America. After mining operations proved unprofitable, the colony of Connecticut converted it to a prison, like its London namesake Newgate Prison. The first prisoner, John Hinson, was committed for burglary in 1773. Later Tories and Loyalists were held here during the Revolutionary War. In 1790 it became a state prison, the first such in America. After the prison closed in 1827 mining operations resumed for a time, but since the 1860s it has been mainly a tourist attraction. Nearby Peak Mountain offers a bird's eye view of Old Newgate Prison from the Metacomet Trail.

In 1972 Old Newgate Prison was declared a National Historic Landmark.[1][3] The site is now owned and administered by the State of Connecticut.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Old New-Gate Prison. National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Retrieved on 2007-10-03.
  2. ^ National Register Information System. National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service (2007-01-23).
  3. ^ Charles W. Snell (January 4, 1972), National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Old Newgate Prison and Copper MinePDF (304 KiB), National Park Service  and Accompanying 6 photos, exterior and interior, from 1971.PDF (1.00 MiB)

[edit] External links

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