The Historic Old Jail
“If there’s any hope in the world for a young boy, the last place in the world for him is a jail.”
We are Marshall locals committed to creating a strong link between Appalachia’s rich past and its blossoming future. Our building has always been a hub for community life, a gathering space in our little town above the French Broad River on the edge of the Pisgah National Forest. There has been pain here, as with any place of incarceration. Yet beyond the institution are memories of a place where community thrived, connected, and conversed for generations.
Its complicated tale is a testament to the unique culture of Appalachia, a place that’s seen both hardship and struggle and togetherness, hope and joy. It has a legacy defined by the community of our small mountain town. By friends, family, elders and neighbors.
Part art hotel, part museum exhibit, part historic preservation, our guests can enjoy modern amenities while they travel through time. Original architectural pieces, artifacts, historic photos and documents are displayed throughout the building to create an immersive storytelling experience. A love letter to our community and the people who have shaped it, and a look into the future we are building together.
