The Old Jail Inn Parke County started in 2009, with the purchase of an 1879 flat steel, riveted door and frame in the basement of the abandoned jail. The door leads to the original Drunk Tank. The jail was transformed by Debra Olson in four months. It was a labor of love once she conceived the idea. The old jail is a destination getaway, with nine private cells turned into suites and guest rooms.
When the buildout started, it was the first and only multi-room jail turned inn & winery in the world. MSNBC deemed it, one of the top 8 weirdest bed and breakfasts in the world. The jail has bars still intact and everything is original to the building. The biggest question we are asked is if the cells are secure and private? Well, absolutely! YOU get the key, you lock up when you leave the cell and lock yourself in when you go to sleep! Absolute privacy and a lot of fun! There is no other jail that has such comfortable beds, and great, soft sheets and towels. Greg, Trina and Debra welcome our guests and promise you will make memories staying overnight. Always a positive experience. See our reviews on
Trip Advisor,
Facebook and
Yelp! After all the renovations were completed and the jail was accepting guests, many people were interested in the story of the door in the basement. The creation of a winery came next.
All items in the Drunk Tank are re-purposed or recycled. A cool ‘speak easy’ feeling will be your first experience. Do a wine tasting of five wines, either your favorite sweet or dry wines, and the sixth wine, Old Jail Inn Red Wine is free, for $10 and take home a souvenir wine glass? You have never experienced so much entertainment until you meet our world famous wine expert, Trina Poynter. Ten years experience in wine tasting and a natural comic, this Parke County “treasure or gem” is unforgettable. Slurp, chew and swallow your wine - if you can between laughing! Or get a history lesson and a wine experience with Greg Goluska. His years of travel and wine brings a different experience in wine tasting that will “change your life!”
It started with Debra buying a door, so our story circles around “It’s all about the DOOR”!
Remember: “come as guests, leave as friends.”
