On Wednesday, May 15, Miranda Wisor, Executive Director of Adams County Library, presented Andrew Dalton, Executive Director of the Adams County Historical Society, with the original deed to 59 East High Street, Gettysburg.
According to the historical record, Adams County was established on January 22, 1800, and Gettysburg was named the county seat. As part of an enticement for his town being granted such an honor, James Gettys offered land to build a jail in the newly formed county.
This original deed, dated September 2, 1803 and signed by James Gettys and his wife, turns over Lot #207 on the south side of East Middle Street, to the commissioners of Adams County.
The original log jail was built in 1804 and burned in a fire in 1850.
The current structure, built shortly after, was used as the Adams County Prison until 1949.
For many years afterwards, it housed the Gettysburg Public Library and today serves as the Gettysburg Municipal Building.
The deed had been gifted to the library board of directors by the Adams County Commissioners.
The donation occurred at the Adams County Historical Society.