It served as a lockup for the Region’s most notorious criminals and has been the site of a star-studded movie set. Now, it’s under scrutiny from the state. The Old Sheriff’s House and Jail remains barred to the public as its caretakers work to resolve a unique predicament facing the 141-year-old historic structure in downtown Crown Point.
A sign is posted on the locked door explaining the situation, and Sandy Boyd, president of the Old Sheriff’s House Foundation, has been making social media posts and videos updating the public. The side of the former Lake County Jail shows barred windows and stately red brick. (Anna Ortiz/Post-Tribune) “We have had to cancel a lot of events this year already because we don’t have a timeline,” Boyd said.
“Even things scheduled for September we have had to cancel because of this.” Historic and haunted tours, which have been ongoing for the past 20 years, are also on pause. David Hosick, director of public affairs for the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, said the state gave notice of the building violation code in October 2023.
The jail’s caretakers received the news after they applied for an entertainment/amusement permit for their annual haunted house attraction “Criminally Insane,” which has been running for 11 years, according to Boyd. Sandy Boyd (left), president of the Old Sheriff’s House Foundation, and Jacquie Thompson (right), vice president of the Old Sheriff’s House Foundation, sit on the steps of .
