A Trip To The Cowboy State – Part 2 – Wyoming Territorial Prison

After lunch, A Trip To The Cowboy State – Part 1, we headed over to The Wyoming Territorial Prison, Doing Time In Laramie, which was very close to where we were. Larry and I had been there before, but it was a new experience for Mike & Lauren. We got there just in time for the last tour of the day.

I know, a lot of people wonder why we like to tour prisons, but we actually find them fascinating. They are so full of history. I love going, as long as they let us out when we are ready to go home. I’m sure I would have a totally different outlook if we were forced to stay. Our tour guide was a hoot, and full of knowledge.

The Wyoming Territorial Prison is one of the oldest buildings in Wyoming. It was built in 1872, and operated as a federal penitentiary from 1872 to 1890, and as a state prison from 1890 to 1901. It was closed in 1903 and it was then transferred to the University of Wyoming, where it was used as an agricultural experiment station until 1989. In 1991, the facility was opened to the public, and in 2004, it was designated as Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site.

This was a bad place to be, whether you were a free man or a prisoner. It definitely had it’s fair share of problems right from the get-go too. One of the many reasons why this was such a bad place to be was because of the horrible stench from within, for some obvious reasons, due to normal bodily functions, coupled with no open windows and no way to alleviate the stench. It started taking in prisoners in 1873. Out the original 44 prisoners accepted, 11 of them escaped right away. By 1877, the prison was overcrowded. As the prison filled, its reputation worsened, and it became less used, being considered more appropriate for those with light sentences. During the 1880s the prison was under capacity, with as few as three prisoners at one time. However, in 1889, a second cellblock was constructed, expanding capacity to 150 and providing a central kitchen, dining hall, guards’ rooms and steam heat. There were at least five cells for female inmates, and several solitary confinement cells. In 1890 Wyoming became a state and the facility was transferred to the new state, which already had planned a new facility in Rawlins.

The most famous prisoner who ever resided at the Wyoming Territorial Prison was Butch Cassidy, real name John LeRoy Parker. He was incarcerated there from 1984-1896. This was his ONLY time in prison, even though he was a well known criminal. He was a criminal to some and a savior to others, as he was a “modern-day” Robin Hood, who stole from the rich and gave to the poor.

These were actually the gated guard towers that faced the cells. All the guards who were posted in these watchtowers were armed with Winchester rifles.

There were a few others who were incarcerated too, though just for a brief stint. 🙂 Two were immediately sent behind bars. Dangerous criminals indeed.

These were the actual cells. Larry is 6’4″, and he is having a difficult time standing straight. These cells are tiny, often housing two inmates each.

While another, one of the few female inmates, was subjected to the “old ball and chain and shackles”. This is one scary prisoner. DON’T mess with this one!

Like a lot of old prisons, this was considered to be a working prison. Most of the prisoners were skilled at various trades. Even Butch Cassidy, part of how he took his new name, was a very skilled butcher. Because he had been a skilled butcher before choosing a life of crime, he was allowed to work in the kitchen.

Bread was always baking because the prisoners in solitary confinement were only allowed bread and water.

Many of the other prisoners worked in the broom factory, producing brooms from the local broom wheat (what the city of Broomfield, CO was named after).

The tour was very interesting and informative. We learned a lot and Larry and I learned some new things as well.

Coming home, we came home via Cheyenne, which is only 46 miles east of Laramie, and right on the Colorado-Wyoming Border too. Both Laramie and Cheyenne border Colorado, just in different locations. We stopped to see some of the bison, or buffalo, before crossing back over our own state line.

After his early release from prison, Larry even tried his hand at roping cows. It’s a good thing he already has a good job. He’d never make it as a cowboy. 🙂

We had a fun day and a fun outing. We like taking little day trips like this and do it all the time. Life is what you make it, so make it fun and make it interesting. Have a great day and make everyday great. Stay safe and stay well. ‘Til next time.