Brief History of the Missouri State Penitentiary
The Bloodiest 47 Acres in America
Courtesy of Missouri Pen Tours
The Missouri State Penitentiary was NOT a place you wanted to visit for the first 168 years of its existence. Now, the “Old State Pen” is a pretty cool place to visit. The prison opened in 1836 in downtown Jefferson City along the banks of the Missouri River. It housed some of the most notorious inmates in American history until it was decommissioned in 2004. It now offers a variety of tours. You can see what life was like behind the walls and razor wire. Discover why Time Magazine once named it “The bloodiest 47 acres in America.”
Public Domain
The Missouri State Penitentiary is a rare prison that housed both male and female inmates. Some of the more infamous names include James Earl Ray, Charles “Pretty Boy” Floyd, and Charles “Sonny” Liston. Over the years, 40 inmates were put to death in the gas chamber on the prison grounds. This has led many to believe the prison is haunted and is the basis for the tours that is offered.
Some people consider it morbid. Still, there is quite a history lesson to be learned at the Missouri State Penitentiary. You can take part in several tours. Options include a mystery tour, private tours, student tours, and, of course, the ghost and paranormal tours. The eight-hour, overnight, paranormal investigation tour even lets you spend the night!
State Pen Tours
115 Lafayette St.
Jefferson City
www.missouripentours.com
3 Comments
Michael Burton
I’ve asked multiple times & have never gotten an answer, is H-hall still there & on one of the Tours, i ask because i was there in february 1983, i would like to stand on the walk Tier 4 in front of cell 74 or 78 because i turned my life around after my stay/sentence & standing where i stated would make me feel like i beat it, Might sound weird, i can’t really explain it myself, but it’s been 40yrs ago & that’s on my bucket list. Thank You!
admin
I”m not sure about that one. I’ll do some checking.
Steven Mayfield
I was there also in the year 1985 in H-Hall an experience I will never forget it was hell back then an very Dangerous God bless the souls that made it out of there.