Most cities don’t stake a claim to fame on a prison, especially when it’s the state capital – but Jefferson City does, and they proudly promote and embrace this accolade. The decommissioned Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP) is a draw to visitors and locals alike, and whether you hop the train in Kansas City or St. Louis, bike in on the Katy Trail or come by car to explore, you’ve got to experience what Time magazine once called the “bloodiest 47 acres in America.”
Missouri State Penitentiary – A Brief History
The Missouri State Penitentiary opened in 1836, just 10 years after the Show-Me State’s first Capitol was built and more than 80 years before the current Capitol was completed. It was one of the largest prisons in the United States (housing approximately 5,000 inmates at its peak) and the oldest continually operating prison west of the Mississippi River when it was decommissioned in 2004.
Famous (or infamous) inmates included boxer Sonny Liston, James Earl Ray and gangster Pretty Boy Floyd. Wondering why it was coined the “bloodiest 47 acres in America?” It received that title due to the high number of serious assaults on the grounds between 1963 and 1964. With its storied history and impact on the city, it’s no wonder it’s the most popular activity when searching for things to do in Jefferson City.
Tours of the Penitentiary
Walk within the walls of MSP and see where inmates lived, worked and spent “yard-time.” Tours are available March through November each year, and there are several booking options for both history and ghost tours – visitors can expect to learn plenty and get spooked occasionally.
Step Back in Time History Tour
Get an immersive experience with the daytime history tour. Upon entering, you’ll hear the metal doors slide shut behind you – it’s a very surreal experience, knowing that former inmates heard that loud, all-consuming sound as the doors locked behind them. You’ll walk through the housing units and hear about the infamous 1954 Riot, escape stories (like James Earl Ray who escaped, believe it or not, in a breadbox!), and how the penal system changed over the decades.
Moreso, the tour will take you below the surface to see the dungeon cells, a.k.a. solitary confinement, and daring individuals will have the chance to step into these confined spaces (only 7’ wide and 11’ deep) while guides shut the lights off – you’ll be absorbed by darkness and hear the shocking stories of how inmates occupied their time while in confinement.
Get Spooked in MSP Tour
If only these walls could talk … or can they? Bring your flashlights and ghost-hunting equipment to explore the mysterious halls at Missouri State Penitentiary. On your guided ghost hunt, you’ll hear about (and maybe encounter) strange and hair-raising occurrences. An exclusive feature of these tours is inspecting where inmates awaited their fate on death row – an eerie, spine-tingling space – and additionally, paranormal aficionados can book an overnight investigation with MSP’s staff. This venture gives you access to several areas of the penitentiary’s grounds and a look at 3D – the oldest, most mysterious part of Housing Unit 3.
More Missouri State Penitentiary Related Things to Do (Outside Its Walls)
Museum
Get a taste of life inside the walls at the MSP museum, which includes exhibits ranging from a comprehensive replica cell to memorabilia items on loan from a former deputy warden. You’ll also see items made or designed by previous prisoners, old newspaper clippings written about MSP, a room lined with stories and pictures of infamous inmates, plus so much more! This museum is educational and engaging, and you can visit year-round.
Prison Brews
When you’re ready for some chow, take your crew to Prison Brews. Just a few blocks away, guests can sit on the large patio or in the dining room decked out in jail house décor. The food is fantastic – the burgers are a popular entrée, and you must try the wood-fire baked pretzels with beer cheese.
Speaking of beer, the microbrewery offers a variety on tap, as well as seasonal favorites with names inspired by the proximity of the penitentiary, like Big House IPA, I Ain’t Your Honey Wheat, Go To Jail Ale and Pretty Boy Peach. Keeping with the theme – even inmates got exercise time, so stretch your muscles and enjoy some recreational time on the bocce ball courts while sipping on one of the prison-inspired brews.
While embracing a penitentiary with spectral energy might not be the most obvious choice for the capital city, MSP is singular in its history and importance – and since no one will be locking you up inside, a themed excursion to the former institution, its museum and Prison Brews is the perfect combination for a memorable time.