Saturday, July 9, 2016

Inside Shawshank

Yesterday's post featured the law, so it's rather appropriate that today and tomorrow's post is about punishment, at least in the historic sense. This imposing building was once the Carleton County Gaol, and now houses a youth hostel. Note the hound coming down the stairs at the right. The building was constructed in the 1860s, and sits next to a former courthouse (which now houses Arts Court). It took on its current use in the 1970s, and was a popular spot during Doors Open. The building has that same gloomy, institutional, foreboding feel of Shawshank Prison from the Stephen King story.


Finding one's way to the back entrance takes the visitor to this door- above the door was a good deal of space- and a trap door used for hangings.


This look at one of the old cells gives you an idea of current rooming at the hostel- certainly not a lot of space, but at least these days those staying for a bit can go in and out at their leisure.

30 comments:

  1. Fascinating series, William.

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  2. Wow. What a spooky place. But it has character with all that green firmly entrenched in the exterior walls.

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  3. Absolutely fascinating - and a little creepy. BTW, 'Shawshank Redemption' has to be one of the best movies ever.

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  4. Visiting a former jail gives me always the creeps.

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  5. A very gloomy place and I can't imagine sleeping in the tight space for in the last photo.

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  6. Cannot believe it is a youth hostel!

    Janis
    GDP

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  7. @Tomas: that's the idea!

    @Linda: thank you!

    @Gemma: the ivy is well established.

    @Mike: it really is a great one.

    @Ivy: I did as well.

    @Marianne: in this case, quite literally.

    @Nancy: for someone with claustrophobia, it would be a problem.

    @Janis: apparently it's a popular one.

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  8. I think as a young person it would be quite an exciting experience to stay there and definitely a story to talk about when recalling travel adventures😃

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  9. Wow, that place is certainly institutionalized gloom and doom. I'm not sure I'd want to stay there under any circumstances.

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  10. I'm reminded of the statement "man's inhumanity to man" when I see this old prison.

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  11. Gloom and depressing but it was a prison though. I wouldn't be able to sleep in that tight cell.

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  12. Prison cells in Canada are even smaller than those in the US!

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  13. @Grace: as long as you're not woken up by noises in the middle of the night!

    @Lowell: it radiates gloom!

    @Red: that was the thinking of the mid-19th century.

    @Bill: it would be problematic for someone with issues with tight spaces.

    @Norma: in this case, but bear in mind that it was built in the 1860s when rehabilitation wasn't even a consideration for inmates.

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  14. I think I'd have second thought about staying there but that is said from my current age. If I was still a youth, I'd probably find it exciting.

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  15. I couldn't last long in that little cell!

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  16. Hmm, I think I'll stay at the Holiday Express, instead.

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  17. I'd have claustrophobia in that room. Gloomy and grim indeed.

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  18. Neat! My husband loves the movie version of The Shawshank Redemption and has watched it several times on video.

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  19. The building does have a gloomy feeling. It's fitting under gloomy sky!

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  20. Oh, my! A great pairing with yesterday...but I can't say this is much of an advertisement for hostel living. I don't need luxe treatment but this is entirely out of my comfort range.

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  21. @Sharon: it is popular among young ttravellers.

    @RedPat: several have expressed the same.

    @Revrunner: me too.

    @Mari: it is.

    @Linda: I love that movie.

    @Tamago: this was on the Sunday, and by that point the rain had ended.

    @Kay: it is definitely roughing it.

    @Orvokki: thanks!

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  22. i enjoy the vines growing up the way. but that bed area is just nuts. i would think i would cry myself to sleep every night. no fun. : (

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    1. They didn't make 19th century prisons for comfort.

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  23. What tiny rooms! Quirky use for a hostel. I bet it is popular.

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  24. Creepy!!!! Hubby tutored women in Kingston's old women's pen. sigh.

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