Old Allegheny County Jail

The Old Allegheny County Jail is a 19th century prison in downtown Pittsburgh featuring massive granite walls and rounded arches throughout its design. The building displays Romanesque Revival characteristics with a central rotunda and four connected wings surrounding an interior courtyard.

The building was designed by architect Henry Hobson Richardson in 1883 and completed in 1886 as a county-level correctional facility. It operated as a working prison until operations eventually shifted to more modern facilities elsewhere.

The building now functions as the Family Division of the Allegheny County Court, preserving its architectural elements while serving a new purpose.

The building is open to the public and now houses the Family Division Court, allowing visitors to see the original architecture and historical exhibits. You can walk through parts of the structure and view artifacts related to its past as a working prison.

A pedestrian bridge connects the jail building to the adjacent courthouse, once used to safely transport prisoners between the two structures. The bridge is named after Venice's famous Bridge of Sighs and remains a notable architectural feature in its own right.

Location: Pittsburgh

Architects: Henry Hobson Richardson

Part of: Allegheny County Courthouse and Jail

GPS coordinates: 40.43847,-79.99553

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:51