Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-07-01

HE NEW JAIL AT FITCHBURG.-The new
jail at Fitchburg, for the use of the county,
has just been completed. The work was done by
order of the county commissioners, under the
plans and superintendent of Messrs. Boyden
4 Ball, architects, of this city. The building
is substantial and tastefully constructed edi-
hce, In the Romanesque style, Oh an elevated
site, one mile south of the centre of the town,
near the Worcester Railroad, in full view of
trains passing on both the Boston and Wor-
cester Roads, and commands a very extensive
prospect of the surrounding country. No
more desirable location for public building
could be obtained or conceived of.
The general plan of the whole building is in
the form of a L reversed, making facade of
LOT feet and three stories high, the main
building running back 10 feet. The front
part, which is of brick, comprises the jailors
house, 81 by SO feet, office and chapel, 46 by
"a feet, and work room, by SO SO feet,
with tower extending so feet from the
ground, and A feet above the roof The rear
part, which is of granite, from the Fitchburg
Rollstone quarry, comprises seventy-two cells
for prisoners ;nGlsddiiEAtg .e.I...ie de-
parlment, which is completely separated from
the male department.
The female cells are accessible only through
the kitchen, and are so arranged that the ma
iron or overseer in the kitchen can have full
supervision of their corridor and work-room.
The male cells are accessible only through the
office, and are arranged in such a manner that
the overseer can have full supervision of both
corridors, and also of the work-rooms, as well
as of both yards, rear and front.
The system of ventilation adopted is of the
most thorough nature, and perfectly adapted
for health and comfort, each cell having open
dues communicating with the open air. All
the other inside arrangements, including the
heating, cooking, and bathing apparatus, and
the plan of locking the cells, are of the most
modern character, and best adapted for the
purposes designed.
The stone work was executed by Wheeler,
Ames, & Co., of Fitchburg, the brick masonry
by Gilchrist & Haskell of Fitchburg, and the
carpentry work by Tower 4 RAYMOND Of this
city. All the iron work, including the iron
stairs to the Jail part, and the balconies, doors,
grafngs to windows, &C., were furnished by
William A. Wheeler of this city, and the steam
heating apparatus by Braman, Perham, & Co..
of this city. The plumbing was done by Hen
ry Matthews of this city, and the painting by
NJ. l.. Holden of Fitohburg.
The front of the building presents beauti-
full and imposing appearance, having a high
brick piazza extending from the tower entrance,
to the jailor's house, Sc feet
Attached to the jailor's house is spacious
shed and barn, the latter being 40 feet square.
The Commissioners deserve great credit for
their zeal and efficiency in carrying out the de-
signs of the architects, and seeing the work
under their charge faithfully executed.
All the contractors likewise deserve credit
for their taithfulness in executing their several
parts.
The whole building, including grounds, &C.,
cost about $65,000 and will compare favorably,
for convenience and general adaptation for
the purposes designed, with any similar
building in the State.