Historic Utah jail cell transformed into Airbnb by local family

EPHRAIM, Utah ( ABC4 ) — A historic Utah jail cell built in the 19th century has recently had a makeover and is now operating as an Airbnb.

Located right by Snow College in Sanpete County, the historic site once was home to outlaws of the Wild West. The building also served as the old city hall.

The owner of the now Airbnb , Ryan Roos, is a historian and rare book and document specialist. He said his family purchased the building and worked together for two years to renovate it into what it is now.

“We knew if we didn’t purchase it, it would be gone forever,” Roos said. “We’d be having this conversation in a field essentially if that didn’t take place.”

The “jailhouse” now has three bedrooms and two bathrooms with a game room in the basement, where the former cells used to stand. While it retained much of its Wild West charm, including museum decorations and a tight spiral staircase, it now comes with a TV, wifi, and air conditioning, amenities former criminals and guards could have only dreamed of.

“The enclosure and each of these stones has a remarkable tale to tell,” Roos said.

The Airbnb, which has been on the market for two years, is considered “a guest favorite,” meaning it is “one of the most loved homes on Airbnb, according to guests,” the website said. It sleeps seven and costs in the ballpark of $180 a night.

Several reviews mention their kids enjoying telling people they spent the night in “jail,” while other reviews commented on the quality of the remodel while maintaining the historic feel.

The transformation took years and a lot of work, Roos said, but it appears their efforts are not going unnoticed.

“The response that we’ve gotten from the community and those across the United States that have gone to come and interact with the past in this way, it’s been remarkable and made every, every second worth it,” he said.

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