Delaware, Ohio – After more than five years of stewardship, the Delaware County Historical Society and Westwood Collective (Hilliard, Ohio) announce the sale of the Historic Jail and Sheriff’s Residence to Westwood principal, Andy Warnock, a Delaware native. The sale marks a new chapter for one of Delaware’s most iconic buildings.
“The Historical Society faced a difficult and emotional decision to sell the Historic Jail and Sheriff’s Residence,” said Karen Cowan, President of the Delaware County Historical Society. “We were both grateful and excited when Andy Warnock, whose family has deep roots are in Delaware, offered to purchase the property. We are confident in Andy’s commitment to preserving this historic landmark and allowing it to reach its full potential.”
Constructed in 1878 by David Gibbs of Toledo, a master architect known for designing public buildings throughout the Midwest, the 8,500-square-foot Historic Jail and Sheriff’s Residence served the community as a working jail until 1988. The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. Its primarily Italianate architecture, complemented by Gothic Revival and Second Empire details, reflects an important period in Delaware’s history.
The building contains 18 jail cells – 16 originally designated for men and two for women – and was designed during an era of prison reform championed by Ohio Governor and future U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes who was born and raised in Delaware. As part of that reform movement, the sheriff lived on site with his family. The sheriff’s wife, known as the “Matron,” played an important role in the daily operation of the jail, preparing meals and caring for inmates.
The Delaware County Historical Society purchased the property in 2021 and worked to bring its stories to the community through exhibits, tours and special events. The Jail even became an unconventional wedding venue. On October 31, 2025, the City of Delaware and the Historical Society hosted nine weddings at the property. Court employees dressed in costumes and decorated the entrance to the various cells.
In addition to exterior renovations, interior upgrades include HVAC and electrical improvements, modernization of each room to be equipped for private office use, plus design of a shared kitchenette, conference room, and lounge. The jail cells will be freshened up for future use as part of a second phase of renovation. A prohibition era speakeasy or maker’s space with art gallery are concepts being considered for the rear jail. Dave Kerr and Cara Hering with DK Architects are working the project.
Eight new private offices will make up the original residential portion of the structure. Westwood Real Estate Co., a brokerage affiliate of Westwood Collective, is looking to grow into the Delaware market and actively recruiting agents to join the firm in both the residential and commercial sectors. A portion of the renovated space would be dedicated to those agents. Other interested parties seeking leasable space should contact Westwood directly: info@westwoodcollective.com.
“This is our second major investment in a real estate project in the city of Delaware” Warnock shared. “But it is certainly the most transformative. I couldn’t be more excited to bring 20 years of industry expertise back to my hometown. What a unique opportunity to leave our mark on a community that has given so much to me.”
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About the Delaware County Historical Society
The Delaware County Historical Society is dedicated to preserving, interpreting and sharing the history of Delaware County, Ohio. Through its collections, exhibits, programs and historic properties, the Society connects the community with the people, places and stories that have shaped the region.
About Westwood Collective Westwood Collective is a Central Ohio–based real estate development and investment firm focused on community-driven projects, adaptive reuse, and long-term value creation across the region.
