Brief History of the Missouri State Penitentiary

The Bloodiest 47 Acres in America

Although the Missouri State Penitentiary was NOT a place you wanted to visit for the first 168 years of its existence, the “old state pen” now 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, so you can see what life was like behind the walls and razor wire and why Time Magazine once named it “The bloodiest 47 acres in America.”

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 grounds at the prison, leading
many to believe the prison is haunted (the basis for one of the tours that is offered).

Although some people may consider it morbid, there is quite a history lesson to be learned at the Missouri State Penitentiary. You can take part in several tours, including 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