Visiting The Historic Goderich Jail: A Must-Visit Destination on Your Ontario Road Trip

Spontaneous road trips are an exciting and adventurous way to explore new places and see new things. It was a spur of the moment decision which landed me in Goderich and of all places, visiting the Goderich Jail.

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Goderich, Ontario is a charming town located along the shores of Lake Huron. With its picturesque scenery, friendly locals, and variety of attractions, it’s a must-visit destination for anyone searching for the perfect Ontario road trip destination.

How To Get To Goderich, Ontario

Goderich is located about 2 hours west of Toronto and 1 hour north of London, Ontario. Take Highway 401 to exit 236 and then follow Highway 4 to Goderich.

Visitors to Goderich can enjoy a stroll through the historic downtown, take in the stunning views of the lake, or indulge in some delicious local cuisine, however, if you’re interested in visiting Goderich to see the jail, you’re in for a real treat!

Goderich Jail (Huron Historic Gaol)

History of the Goderich Jail

The Goderich Jail (also known as the Huron Historic Gaol) is a former provincial jail located in Goderich, Ontario, Canada. The jail operated from its opening in 1841 until 1972 and has since been converted into a historic site and museum.

Throughout its operation, the jail was home to criminals who conducted crimes from misdemeanors to murder, including three inmates who were hung for their crimes.

In addition to criminals, the Goderich Jail was also home to citizens who were destitues and suffered from mental illness.

What To Expect When Visiting The Goderich Jail

Visitors to the Goderich Jail can take an audio tour that explores the jail’s history and architecture, including the cells and gallows. There are also exhibits on the jail’s more notorious inmates, such as William Avery “Billy” Bishop, a Canadian flying ace during World War I, and Steven Truscott, a young boy of 14 who was wrongly convicted (in my opinion) and sentenced to death for the murder of a classmate.

For hours of operation and entrance fees, visit Huron Historic Goal

Exploring The Inside Of The Goderich Jail

Once inside the jail, you will be astonished as to how large the jail actually is. With over three floors to explore and a maze of rooms on each floor, museum lovers will be in their glory.

Each floor will house cell blocks, which consist of 3 to 4 cells per block. You will see where the prisoners ate, did laundry, and worked on their chores. In addition, you will observe the residences and quarters of the jail guards, and other prison personnel.

Why I Visited the Huron Historic Goal

Admittedly, I’m not a museum lover at all, however, I have always wanted to visit the Goderich Jail.

Why you ask?

As a young girl of 11 or 12 years old, I read my very first novel, the Steven Truscott story. I didn’t realize at the time what an impact this story would have on the rest of my life.

It was this story of what I perceived to be injustice that peeked my interest in the Canadian legal system. It’s now been 47 years since I’ve been working in law, and it’s been much longer that I’ve been fascinated by the story of Steven Truscott.

The Steven Truscott Story

The young Mr. Truscott was accused, tried as an adult, and convicted of murdering a young girl at the tender age of 14. He was sentenced to death, however this sentence was later commuted to a life of imprisonment. During the trial process, Mr. Truscott was held at the Goderich Jail and was later transferred to a maximum security prison in Kingston.

Mr. Truscott was released on parol in 1969 after spending 10 years in prison. In 2007, his conviction was over-turned.

The Verdict?

Even after all this time, it remains my belief is that Mr. Truscott is innocent and was wrongly accused and convficted of a crime he didn’t commit. However, there are many that believe that he was guilty. The real verdict? We will never know for sure. As of the time of writing, there have been no other suspects or convictions for this crime.

Is The Goderich Jail Worth A Visit

The answer is a resounding yes! I was blown away with the history and the attention to detail exhibited at the Goderich Jail. The rooms were so life-like, that you will feel as if you have been transported to that era in time.

Visiting The Goderich Jail: In Conclusion …

In conclusion, the Goderich Jail (Huron Historic Gaol) is a fascinating and unique destination that offers visitors a glimpse into the history of the Canadian prison system, as well as the opportunity to learn about the stories of some of its most infamous inmates, including William Avery “Billy” Bishop and Steven Truscott.

With its life-like rooms, maze of cell blocks, and absorbing audio tour, the Goderich Jail is a must-see for anyone interested in Canadian history or the legal system.

Despite the lack of amenities and access limitations, this historic site is truly worth visiting, and you will leave with a greater ciation for the role that institutions such as the Goderich Jail played in shaping Canada’s past.

Yours in Travel 🙂

SAVE TO VISIT THE GODERICH JAIL

Visiting the historic Goderich Jail

is like stepping back in time