Description:
 

The Outlaw Trail ended here! No need to commit a crime to Do Time at the Territorial Prison. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, explore this 1872 imposing stone structure that held “evil doers of all classes and kinds.” Built first as a Federal Prison (1872-1890), it later became Wyoming’s State Penitentiary (1890-1903). During the 30 years it was in operation, 1,200 prisoners (men and women) walked through the front iron doors and occupied the cells. Now a museum, visitors can walk the halls where prisoners were locked up, worked and lived.

Outlaws, violent and desperate men (as well as women) plagued the Wyoming Territory. As settlers moved into the area they demanded law and order. The clash between Outlaws and Lawmen resulted in the building of the Territorial Prison. The Auburn Prison System was adopted to manage the prison population. Under this system convicts were sentenced to hard labor, required to be silent at all times, wear black and white striped uniforms, and their identities removed by replacing their names with numbers.