Step Inside Wyoming’s Historic Prison And Its Notorious Past

When you're stumbling through life, you're likely to come across many historic and old buildings across Wyoming. There's old, and then there REALLY old. One of those REALLY old places has been an institution in Wyoming since 1872, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and was home to some of the baddest hombres in the west.

The Wyoming Territorial Prison in Laramie.

Built as and served as a federal prison from 1872 to 1890, it was then the site of the Wyoming State Prison from 1890 to 1903. The building stood empty and unused until it was restored in 1990.

During the 30 years, 1200 prisoners called the prison home. That includes notable outlaws like Butch Cassidy, Wild Gang member Robert E. Lee, the prison's youngest-ever prisoner, Arthur Hinman, and assorted bad dudes and dudettes.

With a history like that, you know there have to be some evil spirits left behind, and if you're willing to chance it. When the prison no longer housed prisoners, the grounds were transferred to the University of Wyoming, where they were used for educational purposes until 1989. After the renovations were completed in 1990, the prison reopened to the public in 1991, and it remains open for tours today.

Upon entering, you'll see the prison as it was in the late 1800s. The cells, processing rooms, offices, kitchen, and how the prisoners earned their keep while they were locked up.

Tours are available year-round. 

May - September Daily 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

October - April Thursday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.