Old prison transformed into new business

Rock on the River to open May 23

By Andy Stine

astine@altoonamirror.com

The original Clearfield County Jail on North Second Street in downtown Clearfield was built in 1872. Most buildings that are over 150 years old are lucky to still be standing.

Now, after some remodeling and additions, the old jail is turning into a new business.

The Rock on the River will open to the public on May 23. Owners Dr. Jeremy Rice and his father Dr. Jeffrey Rice are transforming the old jail into a restaurant, an event venue, and a speakeasy, which is an old term for a bar from the prohibition era.

Plans are also in the making for a distillery at a location across the Susquehanna River, but it will not be opened for at least another year as extensive renovations will need to be done.

Renovations started with the building’s previous owner before the Rice family purchased the old jail three years ago. The historic county jail was sculpted by George Thorn, who was from Clearfield, in the early 1870s.

Operations manager Ashley Bell said renovations to the building started with Keith Billotte, the previous owner of the building, before he sold it.

“He had the idea of making it a distillery,” Bell said of Billotte. “He kind of had that vision. He was no longer able to keep up with completing that.

“(The Rices) did more renovations, and added on an addition where our kitchen and main dining area are,” Bell said.

The idea of the restaurant was to preserve the history of one of the oldest structures in Clearfield County. The renovations were extensive, with the Rice family breaking ground on an addition in August 2024. Before that, there was even more time to lay down new floors and clean the original stone of the building.

“I know it was pretty run down and kind of left abandoned,” Bell said. “I think the town was considering tearing it down prior to (Billotte) buying it and starting his renovations. He started a lot here.”

When The Rock on the River officially opens to the public, there will be a grand opening and a ribbon cutting. There is also live music planned for the May 23 occasion.

The Rock on the River has an outdoor patio area plus three decks and has been holding private events and invite-only events prior to opening to the public.

Whenever the distillery does open in the future, it will go by the name “Doin’ Time Distillery.” Bell said that is at least a year down the road.

For more information, visit Rock on the River on Facebook.