CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield County Historical Society’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce that it has recognized Keith Billotte of Lawrence Township as the recipient of its 2020 Historical Preservation Award.
“Mr. Billotte’s outstanding work of restoring and renovating the old Clearfield County Jail is a great undertaking, and is a service to the local community and to Clearfield County,” said society President Dave Wulderk. “His plan to convert the jail into a distillery business, [Doing Time LLC], will be a positive addition to the county’s economic climate.”
He said passersby have been marveling at the brightness and texture of the jail’s recently-washed native sandstone walls.
“No one in living memory has seen the outside of the jail look so good. Renovations are also being done to the inside of the building,” Wulderk said.
“We would very much like to recognize Mr. Billotte for his magnificent efforts at renovating and restoring the “Old Clearfield County Jail,” added Cathie Hughes, society publications/bulletin committee member.
“He has done a marvelous job of preserving the integrity of the building. He has repaired and replaced the roof to a period look, along with cleaning and pointing the wonderful stone façade.
“The outside stone is now stunningly beautiful, returned to what must be the appearance of the stone when the building was constructed. He’s removed some of the ‘modern’ additions and replaced and repaired the front steps and railings to the sheriff’s apartment.
“Currently, he’s using old cut stone to add a feature to the back of the building along Front Street. Congratulations are in order to Mr. Billotte for all of the research and work, which he has put into this project.”
Billotte was presented with an award plaque and a reprinted copy of the 1878 Caldwell Atlas of Clearfield County on Monday afternoon. The atlas contains a full-page sketch of the jail as it appeared 142 years ago.
Pictured, from left, are Wulderk, Billotte and Hughes.