First Tompkins County Jail building, replaced in 1854 with a
new jail building.
"DeWitt encouraged residential growth by setting aside land for a church and school just west of Tioga Street, between Buell (Buffalo) and Seneca streets, and adjacent to a public square that was later renamed DeWitt Park in his honor In order to secure the county government for Ithaca, a courthouse and jail were erected on the north side of the public square in 1817, fronting on Mill (later Court) Street"
http://wwwhistoricithacaorg/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Downtown-Ithaca-Past-and-Present.pdf"COURT HOUSE, JAIL AND CLERK'S OFFICE.--The present court house, built in 1854, occupies the original site selected at the formation of the county in 1817. The structure at the time it was removed had somewhat changed during the thirty-seven years it existed, but still had a most venerable appearance. It was of wood, two stories high, and with a tower or steeple the architectural beauty of which was at the best unimpressive. The basement and a single room in the rear on the west side were the jailer's quarters for himself and his family; the front room was for jurors. A wide hall ran north and south through the building, with doors on either side, and on the east side were six cells for the safe keeping of prisoners, unless those who were detained chose to saw through the wooden sides or doors or manipulate the very simple locks, which lacked nothing in size but were sadly deficient in security.... The second story of the building was the court room, heated by stoves and lighted in the most primitive manner." John H. Selkreg,
Landmarks of Tompkins County, New York, D. Mason & Co. Publisher, 1894