101-year-old Groton woman serves time to help restore city jail

Historic jail hasn't been used for years

Groton Mayor Scott Hanlon, right, took part in a recent fundraiser for the Groton Historical Society. The event involved 101-year-old Elda Stange’s brief incarceration in the old city jail for failing to pay her birthday tax. Courtesy photo.

For the first time in decades, the city jail in Groton had an inmate earlier this month.

It was hardly a hardened criminal, though. Instead, 101-year-old Elda Stange “served time” as part of a fundraiser to restore the jail.

Topper Tostad, president of the Groton Historical Society, said Stange was “arrested” for failing to pay her birthday tax. The charge, issued in jest on Sunday, Dec. 8, landed her in the jail, which was last used more than 40 years ago, Tostad said.