The Lock-up was built next to the "Town Hall" on the corner of First and South Street. At the time the Stone Lumber Company railroad track entered the hamlet at the corner of South and First Street on route to the mill and docks on the shore of the St. Joseph Channel.
The Hilton Jail is located on Lot 69, on South Street between First Street and a lane, it was once the property of Ella Marks and Thomas McCourt. The site was purchased by Hilton Township in February of 1888. Eventually, a Town Hall and Jail were built, we believe around 1914.
The building that was the Town Hall was wired with electrical lights powered by the Stone Lumber Company. A new Town Hall was built around 1915, the brick Legion Hall on Hilton Road/Hwy. 548 near the Public School and former site of the Stubbs Store. The Town Hall next to the Jail was used as a garage, residence of Captain and Gramma MacLeod, and the King family. It was demolished some years ago. |
Few, if any, real inmates were confined in the three cell lock-up, but a Constable was appointed and the odd individual might have spent the night to dry out. Under Township of Hilton by-law no 203, the first Constables were Thomas Steinburg for Marksville and William Rose for Hilton Township (farmer) in 1898, and others, for a "number of years" George Nelson (photo left) was Constable. Between 1911 and 1920 no known Constables, and last named in 1923. (Tail of Two Jails, Cindy Crawford)
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Since then the jail was used mostly for storage, and eventually fell into disrepair. In 2006 the Hilton Beach Heritage Committee was formed to foster partnerships with the municipality and community to work towards preserving the jail as an important part of our cultural heritage. With the dedication of many volunteers and community support the Hilton Jail now has a new roof, windows and door, the cell and concrete work repaired and patched, fascia and soffit. The committee intends to continue with repairs to the chimney, pressed tin ceiling and maintain the Jail site to share its unique architectural and historic significance with visitors.
Pictures from Collection of TMStevens; Hilton Union Public Library; some information from "A Tale of Two Jails" by Cindy Crawford (Sault Star, 1990).
Pictures from Collection of TMStevens; Hilton Union Public Library; some information from "A Tale of Two Jails" by Cindy Crawford (Sault Star, 1990).