Published November 08. 2022 12:05PM
by Chris Haring Special to the Bethlehem Press
For the fourth non-consecutive year, volunteers from the Hellertown Historical Society transformed an oft-overlooked but interesting borough landmark into a makeshift Halloween attraction, welcoming trick-or-treaters to its “haunted” one-room jail on Laubach Street.
The jail was built in 1872 – the same year as the borough’s incorporation – by Thomas Laubach. The structure was donated to the HHS in 1984 by Elizabeth Hess, a descendant of Laubach. She was the widow of former Mayor Howard Hess (1946-49), who maintained the building until his July 1983 death.
After the transfer of ownership, the building sat in moderate disrepair for a couple more decades. Finally in 2016, the society voted to replace its roof (which featured a gaping hole at the time) and a portion of water-damaged flooring.
Once restorations were complete, the society – led by members Don Mills and Dolores Di Paolo – began promoting the attraction as suitable for visitors. Halloween in 2018 was the first time the jail, which sits behind Main Street from Penn Street along Silver Creek, was adorned for trick-or-treaters.
Press photos by Chris Haring The outside of the jail is festively decorated for Halloween and the fall season.
An oddly happy-looking skeleton “prisoner” greets visitors from his cell.
“Police officer” Manny Aguiar “apprehends” volunteer “prisoners” (from left) Gloria Michael, Wayne Packer and Carol Long.
A plaque on the front of the jail, dedicated by the society in 1990.
A table features historic photos of the Hellertown Police Department in various years.
The jail's history is visually documented on a trifold diorama inside.
The view from inside the jail's cell looking out - an approximation of what an apprehended criminal might have seen (minus the decor) between 1872 and 1900, its years of operation.
