Barrie was named after Sir Robert Barrie, an Admiral who commanded a British fleet at Kingston. Pioneers arrived in the 1820's to clear the land and build their homes. Shortly after Barrie was founded, the British established a military presence in the town.

Given that not all of society's members were law-abiding, one necessary building would be that of a jail. Construction of a Barrie gaol (or jail) began in 1840. The local citizens would have preferred that the money be spent on roads especially since the jail's first operational years were used only to confine "an unfortunate lunatic

It remained pretty much unchanged until improvements were ordered after inspection by the provincial board of Prison inspectors in 1860. It was also at this time that the observation tower was torn down. A residence for the jailer was built in 1902. The Province of Ontario would take over operations in 1968.

The Barrie Jail was a maximum security correctional facility providing short term, secure custody for persons awaiting trial or sentencing, those being held for immigration hearings or deportation, those serving short sentences (under 90 days) and those awaiting transfer to other Ontario correctional institutions or to federal institutions.

No prisoners were ever hanged at this location but several did die during incarceration and are believed to be buried in the inner courtyard (with quicklime added).

** According to UrbEx Barrie Blog (http://urbexbarrie.blogspot.com/2007/02/barrie-jail.html) 5 prisoners were hanged at the Barrie jail from the late 1800's to 1945.

Until 1968, all jails in Ontario were administered locally through municipal bodies under the guidance of the Ontario provincial government.

Responsibility for jails within the government fell to the Office of the Inspector of Prisons and Public Charities (1868-1934), the Reformatories and Prisons Branch of the Department of the Provincial Secretary (1934-1946), and the Department of Reform Institutions (1946-1968).

During the late 1800's, it was standard for prisoners to receive one pound of meat and one pound of bread per day. An inspection by the Inspector of Prisons determined that this allowance was too much and as a result, rations were cut.

In 1968, their administration was assumed directly by the provincial government. Since then, jails have been administered within the Department of Correctional Services (1968-1972), the Ministry of Correctional Services (1972-1993), and the Ministry of the Solicitor General and Correctional Services (1993- 1999) and the Ministry of Correctional Services (1999-).

The last inmate to reside at the Barrie gaol was transferred to the Penetanguishene 'superjail' on December 7, 2001. It remains vacant to this day. It has also been known as the "Barrie Bucket".