Haunted Jailhouse

This hallway was once frequently used as part of the old county jail in Bedford Borough. All Photo by Tyna Walk

Not much scarier than old jail cells and being trapped behind steel doors and that’s what Jon and Doreen Bartczak of Bedford thought may set them up to win a $150,000 prize from HGTV’s “Scariest House in America” series airing every Friday in October. The structure on Penn St. is now their family home but it was the Bedford County Jail in the past.

Nothing triggers scarier scenarios more than old jails and being trapped behind lock and key.

That’s what Jon and Doreen Bartczak of Bedford were counting on when they auditioned for an upcoming HGTV episode of “Scariest House in America.” On October 4, the first of four Friday night episodes will air featuring a different scary house from across the country, with the grand prize winner receiving an anything but scary $150,000 prize.

Being a contender for HGTV’s “Scariest House in America” may have included the many bats that inhabit the home of Jon and Doreen Bartczak in downtown Bedford. They created a netting system and keep a pole net by their bed to keep from getting bitten by bats.

This home on Penn Street is now owned by Jon and Doreen Bartczak. Previously, this structure served as the Bedford County Jail. On October 4, HGTV will air one of four episodes featuring this property as the owners vie for “Scariest House in America.”