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Reported phenomena — as catalogued
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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 June 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.
A seasonal theatrical haunted attraction operating within the historic jail building. Tickets $15. Check txjailhouse.com for fall operating schedule.
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