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  2. Idaho: 2011

Old Idaho Penitentiary

April 13 and 15, 2011: The Old Idaho Penitentiary State Historical Site was a functioning prison for 101 years. In order to obtain statehood in the Union, Idaho needed a prison, a place to hold the dregs of society and reform others. It was built in 1870, and the first prisoners were brought in 1872. As part of their penance, the prisoners mined nearby rock quarries to build the very walls that would hold them captive. The Old Idaho Penitentiary grew from a single cell house into a complex of several buildings holding Idaho's most notorious criminals. The Old Pen received over 13,000 inmates with a maximum population of 603 inmates. There were 222 women inmates (including repeat offenders.)

In 1872, the Idaho Territorial Prison opened its doors to some of the most desperate and mean criminals the West could offer. In 1973 the Idaho State Penitentiary closed to inmates. Now, the doors are open for visitors to explore over 100 years of Idaho's unique prison history. Open year-round, visitors of the Old Idaho Penitentiary can walk through solitary confinement, cell blocks, and the gallows.
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  • Administration Building

    Administration Building

    The Administration Building, 1893-1894, housed the Warden's Office, Armory, Control Room, Visitation Room, and the Turnkey Room.

  • Administration Building

    Administration Building

    The Administration Building, 1893-1894, housed the Warden's Office, Armory, Control Room, Visitation Room, and the Turnkey Room.

  • Old Idaho Penitentiary

    Old Idaho Penitentiary

    The Old Idaho Penitentiary had started construction in 1870 on an elevated area that had been called “Table Rock” by the Shoshoni Indians. The location was a rich source for convict-quarried sandstone. Inmates who had been sentenced to hard labor dug the rock from the prison quarry which was located on the ridge above the penitentiary. Not only was the sandstone used for new buildings at the prison but it was hauled into Boise for the Idaho State Capital building. As Warden Snook saw it, this type of hard labor was an opportunity for the prisoners to build moral character.

  • Old Idaho Penitentiary

    Old Idaho Penitentiary

    The Old Idaho Penitentiary had started construction in 1870 on an elevated area that had been called “Table Rock” by the Shoshoni Indians. The location was a rich source for convict-quarried sandstone. Inmates who had been sentenced to hard labor dug the rock from the prison quarry which was located on the ridge above the penitentiary. Not only was the sandstone used for new buildings at the prison but it was hauled into Boise for the Idaho State Capital building. As Warden Snook saw it, this type of hard labor was an opportunity for the prisoners to build moral character.

  • Old Idaho Penitentiary

    Old Idaho Penitentiary

    The Old Idaho Penitentiary had started construction in 1870 on an elevated area that had been called “Table Rock” by the Shoshoni Indians. The location was a rich source for convict-quarried sandstone. Inmates who had been sentenced to hard labor dug the rock from the prison quarry which was located on the ridge above the penitentiary. Not only was the sandstone used for new buildings at the prison but it was hauled into Boise for the Idaho State Capital building. As Warden Snook saw it, this type of hard labor was an opportunity for the prisoners to build moral character.

  • 1907 Heating Plant

    1907 Heating Plant

    This building was once part of the Old Idaho Penitentiary. The sandstone for the building was quarried from nearby Table Rock.

  • 1907 Heating Plant

    1907 Heating Plant

    This building was once part of the Old Idaho Penitentiary. The sandstone for the building was quarried from nearby Table Rock.

  • 1907 Heating Plant

    1907 Heating Plant

    This building was once part of the Old Idaho Penitentiary. The sandstone for the building was quarried from nearby Table Rock.

  • Guard Tower

    Guard Tower

    Guards could see most of the yard from the four stone towers. This was taken from the Idaho Botanical Garden side.

  • Guard Tower

    Guard Tower

    Guards could see most of the yard from the four stone towers. This was taken from the Idaho Botanical Garden side.

  • Guard Tower

    Guard Tower

    Guards could see most of the yard from the four stone towers. This was taken from the Idaho Botanical Garden side.

  • Guard Tower

    Guard Tower

    Guards could see most of the yard from the four stone towers. This was taken from the Idaho Botanical Garden side.

  • Guard Tower

    Guard Tower

    Guards could see most of the yard from the four stone towers. This was taken from the Idaho Botanical Garden side.

  • Guard Tower

    Guard Tower

    Guards could see most of the yard from the four stone towers.

  • Guard Tower

    Guard Tower

    Guards could see most of the yard from the four stone towers.

  • Guard Tower

    Guard Tower

    Guards could see most of the yard from the four stone towers.

  • Guard Tower

    Guard Tower

    Guards could see most of the yard from the four stone towers.

  • Guard Tower

    Guard Tower

    Guards could see most of the yard from the four stone towers.

  • Old Idaho Penitentiary

    Old Idaho Penitentiary

    Old Idaho Penitentiary

  • Old Idaho Penitentiary

    Old Idaho Penitentiary

    Old Idaho Penitentiary

  • Administration Building

    Administration Building

    The Administration Building, 1893-1894, housed the Warden's Office, Armory, Control Room, Visitation Room, and the Turnkey Room.

  • Administration Building

    Administration Building

    The Administration Building, 1893-1894, housed the Warden's Office, Armory, Control Room, Visitation Room, and the Turnkey Room.

  • Stucco Wing

    Stucco Wing

    The Stucco Wing, attached to the Administration Building, was added in the 1950s and served as a visiting room.

  • Administration Building and Stucco Wing

    Administration Building and Stucco Wing

    The Administration Building, 1893-1894, housed the Warden's Office, Armory, Control Room, Visitation Room, and the Turnkey Room.The Stucco Wing, attached to the Administration Building was added in the 1950s and served as a visiting room. [B]

  • Old Idaho Penitentiary

    Old Idaho Penitentiary

    The Old Idaho Penitentiary had started construction in 1870 on an elevated area that had been called “Table Rock” by the Shoshoni Indians. The location was a rich source for convict-quarried sandstone. Inmates who had been sentenced to hard labor dug the rock from the prison quarry which was located on the ridge above the penitentiary. Not only was the sandstone used for new buildings at the prison but it was hauled into Boise for the Idaho State Capital building. As Warden Snook saw it, this type of hard labor was an opportunity for the prisoners to build moral character. [B]

  • Sally Port

    Sally Port

    This gate was installed in 1931 for automobiles and trucks.

  • Sally Port

    Sally Port

    This gate was installed in 1931 for automobiles and trucks.

  • Administration Building [far left] - Visiting Room [middle] - Sally Port [right]

    Administration Building [far left] - Visiting Room [middle] - Sally Port [right]

  • Sally Port

    Sally Port

  • Sally Port

    Sally Port

  • Old Idaho Penitentiary

    Old Idaho Penitentiary

    The Old Idaho Penitentiary had started construction in 1870 on an elevated area that had been called “Table Rock” by the Shoshoni Indians. The location was a rich source for convict-quarried sandstone. Inmates who had been sentenced to hard labor dug the rock from the prison quarry which was located on the ridge above the penitentiary. Not only was the sandstone used for new buildings at the prison but it was hauled into Boise for the Idaho State Capital building. As Warden Snook saw it, this type of hard labor was an opportunity for the prisoners to build moral character.

  • Old Idaho Penitentiary

    Old Idaho Penitentiary

    The Old Idaho Penitentiary had started construction in 1870 on an elevated area that had been called “Table Rock” by the Shoshoni Indians. The location was a rich source for convict-quarried sandstone. Inmates who had been sentenced to hard labor dug the rock from the prison quarry which was located on the ridge above the penitentiary. Not only was the sandstone used for new buildings at the prison but it was hauled into Boise for the Idaho State Capital building. As Warden Snook saw it, this type of hard labor was an opportunity for the prisoners to build moral character.

  • Old Idaho Penitentiary

    Old Idaho Penitentiary

    The Old Idaho Penitentiary had started construction in 1870 on an elevated area that had been called “Table Rock” by the Shoshoni Indians. The location was a rich source for convict-quarried sandstone. Inmates who had been sentenced to hard labor dug the rock from the prison quarry which was located on the ridge above the penitentiary. Not only was the sandstone used for new buildings at the prison but it was hauled into Boise for the Idaho State Capital building. As Warden Snook saw it, this type of hard labor was an opportunity for the prisoners to build moral character.

  • Bishops' House

    Bishops' House

    This house was built in 1889 as a home for Idaho's Episcopal bishops. It was moved to this site in 1975 and is operated by the Friends of the Bishops' House.

  • Bishops' House

    Bishops' House

    This house was built in 1889 as a home for Idaho's Episcopal bishops. It was moved to this site in 1975 and is operated by the Friends of the Bishops' House.

  • Bishops' House

    Bishops' House

    This house was built in 1889 as a home for Idaho's Episcopal bishops. It was moved to this site in 1975 and is operated by the Friends of the Bishops' House.

  • Gazebo in Yard of Bishops' House

    Gazebo in Yard of Bishops' House

    [B]

  • View into the Yard of Bishops' House

    View into the Yard of Bishops' House

    [B]

  • Warden's House

    Warden's House

    Designed by architect John Tourtellotte and built in 1902, this building housed prison wardens until 1954.

  • Warden's House

    Warden's House

    Designed by architect John Tourtellotte and built in 1902, this building housed prison wardens until 1954.

  • Warden's House

    Warden's House

    Designed by architect John Tourtellotte and built in 1902, this building house dprison wardens until 1954.

  • Bishops' House

    Bishops' House

    This house was built in 1889 as a home for Idaho's Episcopal bishops. It was moved to this site in 1975 and is operated by the Friends of the Bishops' House.

  • Bishops' House

    Bishops' House

    This house was built in 1889 as a home for Idaho's Episcopal bishops. It was moved to this site in 1975 and is operated by the Friends of the Bishops' House.

  • The Old Idaho Penitentiary

    The Old Idaho Penitentiary

  • Bishops' House

    Bishops' House

    This house was built in 1889 as a home for Idaho's Episcopal bishops. It was moved to this site in 1975 and is operated by the Friends of the Bishops' House.

  • Guard House

    Guard House

    Built in 1912, guards slept and took meals here.

  • Guard House

    Guard House

    Built in 1912, guards slept and took meals here.

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