Cell Block and the Residences within Jail Break, are within the Commercial Historic District of Colonial Beach. Originally constructed in 1940, Jailbreak, was a one-story building to house the Colonial Beach Volunteer Fire Department. In 1952, a second story was added to the firehouse, resulting in the building that exists today. In 1990, the building served as the Colonial Beach Police Station, w
hen an additional one-story, concrete-block, Cell Block, was added to hold the Station’s jailcells. The Fire Department and later Policy Station used to serve and protect the Potomac waterfront and adjacent boardwalk which were lined with numerous grand hotels, boarding houses, restaurants, and small concession stands. Assorted amusements included a Ferris wheel, rollercoaster, bowling alley, and dance halls.
However, located in a “high risk” hurricane zone, at least 38 hurricanes and tropical storms have been recorded at Colonial Beach since 1930, all of which damaged or destroyed the town’s buildings and infrastructure. While the town has changed a significant amount of what it was in its heyday, a few of its commercial core of late 19th through mid-20th century resources remain relatively intact, one of which is Jailbreak.
