'Guard Row' provided picturesque, unconventional neighbourhood for Dorchester guards

The terms "federal penitentiary" and "family friendly neighbourhood" aren't usually used in conjunction with one another.

But this is exactly what happened in Dorchester when a 19th century prison brought with it several houses meant for the guards and their family.

One man who has a special connection with the homes is historical educator James Upham, a regular contributor to Information Morning Moncton's roadside history series.

"Two of my grandparents grew up in this row and two of my great-grandfathers were guards in the pen," said Upham.

According to Correctional Services Canada, Dorchester Penitentiary was opened in 1880 on land that was bought from Edward Barron Chandler, a former lieutenant-governor and one of the Fathers of Confederation.

"When the property was first acquired on June 8, 1865 for the sum of £60 it included 600 acres, much of the same being marshland," said a CSC report from 1982.

It is the second-longest serving jail in Canada.

The prison was once a maximum-security facility, but now houses medium- and minimum-security inmates.

At the time it was built, it was seen as a formidable structure for the largely agricultural region.

"The penitentiary is a noble stone structure, substantially built, costing some $140,000, and nearly ready for the accommodation of 120 prisoners," wrote the Christian Visitor on Jan. 28, 1880.

"The cells are roomy and whilst there is the grimness and terror of broken law about the establishment, yet it is as cheerful as a prison can well be made."

Of course, it's not just enough to have a facility to place inmates, you need guards and other support staff to operate the prison.

And while it's called the Dorchester Penitentiary, it's a bit of a hike from Dorchester proper.

So to house the guards, prisoners were made to build several homes for the guards and their families.