June 10, 2009
On a trip through Wyoming, I stopped at the Territorial Prison. It operated from 1901 to 1981. What a great tour of an aging structure. It is privately owned (I believe it is a non-profit organization) and few funds to fix it up, so it is very much like it was when it closed in 1981 with a bit of disuse over the last 20 years. Paint is peeling off the walls, the same carpet is on the floor, the cells are still the colors of the rainbow and the showers are as dark at night. Hot water wasn't piped in until 1972.
The cafeteria looks ready to sit in. Parts of the buildings are closed off because of unsafe conditions--the chapel, the gym. I visited all three cell blocks, the death house, intake, the yards and grounds. It is a very good haunted "house" in October.
The front of the Wyoming Territorial Prison in Rawlins, Wyoming.
The view from cell blocks B and C.
These are the remains of the factories--making wool cloth and other items. The water tower is a striking feature of the grounds.
Cell Block A, the original and coldest part of the prison. In later years, the inmates could paint the walls of their cells any color they wanted. Each cell held two men.
Looking out at the water tower.
One of the last gas chambers still in existence in the U.S. It was a very scary structure.
Hot water heater grill in the Death House.
The cells on Death Row, four cells (I think it was four) on the same floor as the hanging gallows and the gas chamber.
No comments:
Post a Comment