Bear Valley

The Stone Jail Ruins

The Stone Jail Ruins which stand on a slight rise above town may have been quite escape-proof at one time; today it would be hard pressed to hold anyone as its roof is gone, along with a large portion of the front wall. The jail was built of schist rock set firmly in mortar and was equipped with a heavy iron ring imbedded in the center of its floor, to which the prisoner’s leg irons could be attached if need be. It’s obvious after visiting a few of these old jails that a no-nonsense approach to holding law breakers once prevailed in California.