History buffs and ghost hunters alike are drawn to the Missouri State Penitentiary in Jefferson City where daytime history tours take you on a trip into the past, and evening ghost and paranormal tours add a little fright to your night.
Missouri State Penitentiary – A Brief History
The Missouri State Penitentiary was the oldest continually operating prison west of the Mississippi River until it was decommissioned in 2004. The prison opened in 1836, just 10 years after the Show-Me State’s first Capitol in Jefferson City was built. Housing as many as 5,000 inmates at times, the penitentiary was one of the largest prisons in the United States.
Through the years, the penitentiary became known as one of the most efficient in the country. At the same time, it became infamous for widespread violence and notorious inmates. The prison has been called the “bloodiest 47 acres in America” due to the number of serious assaults that took place on the grounds between 1963 and 1964.
Several famous – and infamous – inmates spent time behind bars at the penitentiary. Bank robber Pretty Boy Floyd was incarcerated at the prison in the late 1920s and early 1930s. Heavyweight boxing champion Sonny Liston learned how to box at the penitentiary during the 1950s. In 1967, while serving a 20-year sentence for robbery, James Earl Ray escaped from the prison inside a large box used to ship bread from the prison bakery – a year later he assassinated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Tours of the Penitentiary
A tour of the prison will guide you inside the walls to see where inmates once lived, worked and spent “yard-time.” History tours, ghost tours and paranormal investigations are offered March through November.
History Tours
A history tour provides an immersive experience that details what life was like in the penitentiary. As the tour begins, the prison’s large metal doors slide shut behind you with the same loud clanking sound prisoners heard when they arrived to serve their sentence. You’ll walk through the housing units, see the gas chamber and learn about the infamous 1954 Riot, stories of escapees, and how the penal system has changed over the decades.
Venture below the surface to see the dungeon cells. Step into these spaces – only 7’ wide and 11’ deep – while a tour guide shuts off the lights. Enveloped in complete darkness, you’ll hear how inmates occupied their time while confined in these cells.
Ghost Tours
The Missouri State Penitentiary is considered one of the most haunted places in the Show-Me State. Take a ghost tour to experience the otherworldly side of the prison. Hear about strange and hair-raising occurrences at the prison and possibly experience some of your own!
Paranormal Investigations
Bring your flashlight and ghost-hunting equipment for an overnight paranormal investigation at the prison. This tour provides access to several areas of the penitentiary grounds, including a look at 3D – the oldest, most mysterious part of Housing Unit 3.
Visit the Missouri State Penitentiary website for more information about the specific tours and tour times. Reservations are recommended and can be made on the website.
Things to Do Near the Missouri State Penitentiary
Missouri State Penitentiary Museum
Explore information and artifacts from the historic prison at the Missouri State Penitentiary Museum. Exhibits include a replica cell and items collected by a former deputy warden. You’ll find clippings of old newspaper articles about the prison, artwork and other things created by prisoners, and a room lined with photos and stories about infamous inmates.
Prison Brews
Just a few blocks from the historic penitentiary, enjoy a meal on the covered patio or in the dining room decked out in jailhouse décor at Prison Brews. The patio features two bocce ball courts and live entertainment many weekends. Popular menu items include burgers, steaks, seafood, pretzels with beer cheese and wood-fire baked pizzas. The microbrewery offers a variety of beers with prison-inspired names like Big House IPA and Go to Jail Ale.
Missouri State Capitol
See the grand architecture and acclaimed art at the Missouri State Capitol. Overlooking the Missouri River, the building is the third one in Jefferson City to house state government operations. Dedicated in 1824, the capitol contains a treasure trove of artwork, including Thomas Hart Benton’s mural “Social History of Missouri.” Learn more about the state’s history at the Missouri State Museum, located on the first floor of the capitol building.
Runge Nature Center
At the Runge Nature Center, more than 3,000 square feet of exhibits feature Missouri’s natural habitats . A 3,500-gallon aquarium is home to native fish while other exhibits focus on amphibians and reptiles. Outside, you can traverse two miles of hiking trails and climb a 60-foot fire tower for scenic views.
Katy Trail
Hit the trail for a hike or bike ride. The .8-mile Katy Trail Spur takes you from Jefferson City across the Missouri River to the Katy Trail. The 237-mile route is the country’s longest developed rail-trail.
The spur includes a pedestrian/bike bridge, attached to the Missouri River Bridge, that provides expansive views of the river and the Missouri State Capitol. When you reach the Katy Trail at the North Jefferson Trailhead, you can turn right or left and travel for miles on the nearly level crushed limestone trail – much of which runs along the Missouri River.