The two-story concrete structure on the corner of East Patterson and Walnut streets in Lansford has had many uses.

One, however, remains prominent in the minds of residents."Growing up, we knew it as the Old Jail," said State House Speaker Keith McCall.McCall visited the former Lockup, as it was also known, on Monday afternoon, as well as the new Lansford Historical Society Museum at 117 E. Bertsch St.McCall helped secure state funding for both historic sites through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) and its Legislative Initiative Grant program. The former jail received $20,000 in DCED funding while the museum got a total of $17,500.Joining McCall as he toured the sites were Dale Freudenberger, Anthracite Region coordinator for the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, and Bill Harleman, president of the Lansford Historical Society and a member of the board of directors for the Lansford Alive visioning group."I just played a small role in this," said McCall. "It is really because of the partnership between the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor and Lansford Alive that this is happening. They understand the importance of preserving our heritage and are working so generations to come can enjoy the history of this region."According to historical information gathered by Freudenberger, Jack Sterling and Karen Burrell, Lansford council decided to construct the Lockup on May 2, 1887. Specifications were drawn up by council's building committee and accepted on May 11, 1877. Members of the building committee were Frank Zehner, Charles Edwards and Morgan Price.After soliciting for proposals to construct the Lockup, the bid was awarded on June 6, 1887 to William Herman Reibe, with the site selected at East Patterson (SR209) and Walnut. The property was purchased for $100, although council had budgeted $25 for the building committee to obtain the parcel.Reibe began construction in late 1887 and was initially paid $400. He billed council for an additional $500 for the remainder of the work upon its completion. G.W. Hadesty was hired to install plumbing. The Lockup featured three jail cells and an office on the first floor.The second floor of the structure also served as the first council chambers for Lansford and was furnished with a meeting table and seven chairs, which were purchased at a cost of $10.50.Following the Great Strike of 1902, the Lockup was flooded with striking mine workers who had been arrested. The overflow of prisoners required that some of them be held in the second floor meeting area for a time.Sometime before 1910, Lansford constructed a new building to serve as the town's Lockup, and the vacant old jail came into the possession of the Edelstein family. Julius Edelstein was a hotel owner and his son Eugene was a lawyer. The old Lockup served as Edelstein's law office for many years.At other points in time, the old stone jailhouse served as a candy and cigar store, a barber shop run by Bill Leidich, and even a Chinese laundry. The GAR Cemetery in Summit Hill contains a grave of a Chinese laundry owner with a tombstone written in Chinese, which historians believe may be the grave of the laundry owner from Lansford.The property was vacant for many years before Lansford Alive purchased it from Joe and Dawn Orsulak last year for approximately $13,000. The Orsulaks own the adjoining property. The $20,000 obtained with the help of McCall provided the purchase price for the landmark as well as some basic renovations.Currently, an electrical system and lighting, a new entrance door, roof repairs and other renovations are being done with the remaining $7,000 of the grant.The Lansford Historical Museum was established last year in the former Lansford United Methodist Church. An open house and Victorian Christmas program was held there in December 2009. The historical society owns the building, which currently houses the Panther Valley Public Library on the first level and the new museum on the second floor.McCall provided support for the project through a $10,000 DCED grant in 2008, which was used to install a new roof. He also provided $7,500 in DCED funds for interior repairs and repainting."The museum is now serving as a repository for the community to preserve some of its history," said Freudenberger, who serves as secretary for the historical society. "Previous to this, it didn't have such a place, other than the Number 9 Mine Museum, which is focused on mining. We are looking to grow the exhibits."Donations to the new museum can be made by contacting Bill Harleman at (570) 617-4683 or Freudenberger at (610) 597-6722.