HauntBound archive · catalog record
Reported phenomena, as catalogued
+ 1 further entry on record
Built in 1931 on an 1800s jail footprint, this Palestine lockup held notorious criminals for six decades before reopening as one of East Texas's only overnight paranormal investigation venues.
704 Ave A, Palestine, TX 75801
Research updated September 2026
Age
All Ages
Cost
$$$
Overnight paranormal investigation $500 plus tax (5 PM – 11 AM); seasonal haunted house $15; private event rental $500
Access
Limited Access
Multi-story brick jail building; iron-barred interiors; stairs required to access upper floors
Equipment
Photos OK
Est. 1931 · Anderson County Detention 1931-1988 · Juvenile Detention Center 1988-1996 · Monty Delk — Executed 2002 · Active Paranormal Investigation Venue
The brick building at 704 Ave A in Palestine, Texas, has housed criminals since the nineteenth century. The current structure was built in 1931, erected on the same site as the earlier jail that had served Anderson County since the 1800s. With its imposing exterior and iron-barred windows, the 1931 building functioned as the county's primary detention facility for nearly six decades.
The jail closed in 1988 and was repurposed as a juvenile detention center, operating in that capacity until 1996. After the county vacated the building, it passed into private hands and eventually reopened as a public paranormal investigation venue under the name Texas Jailhouse.
Among those held in the Anderson County Jail was Monty Delk, a Palestine area man convicted of multiple murders. Delk's method involved placing classified advertisements and targeting respondents — killing people he encountered through these ads. He was convicted and sentenced to death. Delk was transferred to the Huntsville unit for execution and was put to death in 2002 at the age of 35. His behavior during incarceration was documented as erratic; he claimed to be 129 years old and required segregation due to hygiene issues.
The building is now operated as a for-hire paranormal investigation venue with a seasonal haunted attraction, drawing investigators to its three floors of intact jail infrastructure.
Sources
Paranormal investigators who have worked the Anderson County Jail describe the building as consistently active across its three floors. In the lobby, investigators recorded multiple activations of a Rempod device — an electromagnetic sensor designed to register proximity to something that cannot be explained by conventional foot traffic or HVAC systems.
On the second floor, investigators described unusual sounds throughout overnight sessions — unexplained noises that did not correspond to the settling of the building or identifiable mechanical sources. An SLS (Structured Light Sensor) camera, which maps skeletal shapes onto video feeds, captured anomalies that investigators interpreted as entities moving through the space. Knocking and tapping were documented in multiple independent investigations, along with audio recordings containing what investigators described as unclear but distinct voices.
The jail's documented history — six decades of criminal detention followed by a period as a juvenile facility — provides the kind of accumulated human suffering and institutional weight that draws investigators. Whether the anomalies captured there reflect that history or the expectation it generates, the Anderson County Jail has established a regional reputation as one of the more reliable investigation sites in East Texas.
A 5 PM to 11 AM overnight investigation package at the Anderson County Jail, priced at $500 plus tax. Participants access the lobby (which includes a restroom) plus the second and third floors. Ghost hunting equipment available for rent. Book through the venue website.
Locked In Fear is a 25-30 minute walk-through, excluding the entrance line, with intense scares, low light, loud sounds and live actors, operating seasonally within the historic jail building. There is no formal age limit; the operator suggests parent or guardian discretion and says it is designed for older children, teens and adults. Tickets are $15 online or at the door.
Some links on this page may earn HauntBound a small commission when you book, at no extra cost to you. Our editorial picks are independent. Full disclosure
Every HauntBound history is researched from documented sources. We clearly separate verified historical fact from paranormal folklore.
Free Guide
10 verified stops, rated for families, mapped in order. Free.
One email to confirm, then the guide link. Unsubscribe anytime.
Rawlins, WY
Construction of the Wyoming Frontier Prison began in 1888 and completed in December 1901, opening with 104 cells, no electricity, no running water, and minimal heating. Over its operational history, 13,500 people were incarcerated there and 14 death sentences were carried out — nine by hanging and five in the gas chamber added in 1936. The prison closed in 1981 when a new facility opened near Rawlins.
Ione, CA
The Preston School of Industry in Ione, California was established by the State Legislature as a reform institution for juvenile offenders — emphasizing rehabilitation over imprisonment. The cornerstone was laid in December 1890, and the Romanesque Revival building, designed in the Richardsonian style, was constructed between 1890 and 1894 and opened in June 1894. The school operated until 1960, when new facilities were completed on the same property. Notable alumni include Merle Haggard, Rory Calhoun, and author Eddie Bunker.
Hartford City, IN
The Old Blackford County Jail in Hartford City, Indiana opened in 1879 with brick walls and foot-thick granite block transported from Michigan. It served the county for 116 years before closing in 1995, replaced by a modern correctional facility outside town.