# Site: missouripentours.com # URL: https://missouripentours.com # Generated: 2026-07-26 03:00:10 # Version: 1.2 # File Type: llms.txt # Total Pages: 20 --- ## Home URL: https://missouripentours.com/ # Missouri State Penitentiary Tour the Missouri State Penitentiary and hear the stories that defined the prison for 168 years. Book Now Once the oldest continually operating prison west of the Mississippi River, the Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP) operated for 168 years before decommissioning in 2004. It now serves as a great historic landmark in downtown Jefferson City welcoming thousands of guests annually from all over the world. Whether visitors choose to take a history or ghost tour, they will walk through historic housing units, the upper courtyard, and the gas chamber. Learn More View FAQs ## Popular Tours ## Inside the Experience Real guest reviews from visitors who have walked the cellblocks, explored the prison’s history, and experienced its darker side firsthand. ## Voted the #1 Activity in Jefferson City on TripAdvisor Book Now #### Questions? ## Get Your Answers ## View FAQs ## Our History --- ## Tours URL: https://missouripentours.com/tours/ # Infamous Prison Tours Ready to discover the history of Missouri’s prison that was once called “the bloodiest 47 acres in America?” We have three fun and unique ways to explore this infamous landmark. With our history tours, learn all about the facility and its notorious inmates. Are you an aspiring ghost hunter who wants a fun and frightening experience? We have ghost hunting and paranormal investigation tours that will guarantee a “spooktacular” time. And if you’re a shutterbug looking to snap unique photos for your portfolio, our private photography tours let you see MSP through a whole new lens. Just select your tour type and see history come alive! ## 2-Hour History Tour Step back in time and discover the intriguing history of the infamous Missouri State Penitentiary on this guided tour! Hear about escape attempts, riots, female inmates, and more.... --- ## Ghost & Paranormal Tours URL: https://missouripentours.com/ghost-paranormal-tours/ # Ghost & Paranormal Tours Our ghost and paranormal tours are a guaranteed fun and frightening experience. Whether you want to learn the ghostly stories of inmates that some say still roam the halls or you want to roll up your sleeves and learn to ghost hunt or investigate paranormal activity, our ghost and paranormal tours are a great way to experience the otherworldly side of the Missouri State Penitentiary. #### 13 and under are not permitted ## 2-Hour Ghost Tour Tour the spooky halls of the Missouri State Penitentiary and experience a fascinating part of Jefferson City’s history as you walk through the dungeon cells and other areas of the prison. Book Now Learn More #### 13 and under are not permitted ## 3-Hour Ghost Hunt Go ghost hunting through the eerie halls of the infamous Missouri State Penitentiary on this guided hunt! Get your EMF meters ready to see if you can find any paranormal activity.... --- ## FAQs URL: https://missouripentours.com/faqs/ # Frequently Asked Questions Unfortunately, we cannot make exceptions for the age requirement, even with a parent or guardian.Yes, tours are still conducted when it is raining.All tours of the Missouri State Penitentiary are guide-led. We do not conduct self-guided tours.No. The inmates were transferred to the new Jefferson City Correctional Center when the Missouri State Penitentiary was decommissioned in September 2004.We do not have any previous inmate records, as the State of Missouri preserves this information within the Missouri State Archives. You can contact the  Missouri State Archives  to inquire about a previous inmate.The tour season runs from March through November each year (weather dependent). There are no tours during December, January or February.While we do accept walk-ins, we highly recommend reservations in advance to ensure your spot on the tour. Once a tour is full, tickets can no longer be purchased.Yes.... --- ## Contact URL: https://missouripentours.com/contact/ # Contact Us ### Phone 573.632.3999 ### Email info@missouripentours.com ### Location Missouri State Penitentiary 115 Lafayette Street Jefferson City, MO 65101 Get Directions ## How can we help you today? Please email, call or fill out the adjacent form if you wish to contact Missouri State Penitentiary. We look forward to speaking with you. Thanks! --- ## Brochure Request URL: https://missouripentours.com/brochure-request/ # Request an MSP Brochure ## Request Your Brochure To request your free copy of the official Missouri State Penitentiary Visitors Guide, please fill out the form below. Your guide will arrive within 1 to 2 weeks via USPS Standard Mail. You can also pick up a guide at our Jefferson City Visitors Center or  download the digital copy . See you for  your tour  soon! #### Prison Tours ## Missouri State Penitentiary Tours in Jefferson City, MO View FAQs Contact Us --- ## History URL: https://missouripentours.com/history/ # The History of the Missouri State Penitentiary ## Jefferson City's Past Comes to Life Still owned by the State of Missouri, the Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP) opened in 1836 along the banks of the Missouri River in Jefferson City, Missouri, the state capital. The prison housed inmates for 168 years and was the oldest continually operating prison west of the Mississippi until decommissioned in 2004. The Jefferson City Convention & Visitors Bureau now offers various tours at the site once named "the bloodiest 47 acres in America" by Guy Magazine. Click below to find out about the inmates (including notable women), executions, escapes, and the famous prison riot of 1954 before you arrive for one of our  history tours ! ### Timeline ### Infamous Inmates ### Executions ### Centennial Cells ### Women in MSP ### The 1954 Riot ### Escapes ### The Museum #### Prison Tours ## Missouri State Penitentiary Tours in Jefferson City, MO View FAQs Contact Us --- ## Centennial Cells URL: https://missouripentours.com/history/centennial-cells/ # Centennial Cells ## Discovery of the Centennial Cells In the mid 1980s, officials from the MSP, the Department of Corrections, and the Division of Adult Institutions unearthed an old cell block that predated the Civil War. The discovery happened after a court order was issued to put in a recreation yard for offenders that were on death row. When the construction between Housing Units 2 and 3 began, and the crews started digging, they realized they hit something solid.  This finding led to an exploration of six cells built around the 1840s, which were part of the long-buried Centennial Hall. Based on research, this is now believed to be the oldest existing building on the MSP property. ## Expanding MSP History While a plan to preserve the buried cells for the future had long been a thought on paper, the Centennial Cells preservation project didn’t begin to take shape until 2019. The first phase of adding the cell block to the MSP tours included surveying the area.... --- ## Escapes URL: https://missouripentours.com/history/escapes/ # Escapes from the Missouri State Penitentiary #### Escapes ## Inmates that Flew the Coup in Jefferson City Keeping desperate and restless people behind bars will always present challenges to corrections officials. Early in the Missouri State Penitentiary’s history, escapes were commonplace. Between a lack of a secure perimeter and prisoners working in the community, many escapes were accomplished without much planning or ingenuity.By 1868, the convict population had grown to 735. Many of them worked outside the walls, and escapes were a common occurrence. One convict escaped and stole a citizen’s horse to make his getaway. Others terrorized the citizenry. Townspeople armed themselves to the teeth in order to protect their families. In 1868, a spectacular and terrifying story made the headlines: an underground passage was discovered reaching nearly under the wall. It had been detected just in time.... --- ## Executions URL: https://missouripentours.com/history/executions/ # Executions in the Gas Chamber #### Executions ## Inmates That Met Their Ending in MSP In September of 1937, Governor Lloyd Crow Stark signed a bill calling for execution by lethal gas. No longer would the local sheriff be responsible for carrying out the death penalty for those convicted in his county. The days of public hangings in Missouri were to come to an end finally. Many members of the legislature were strongly opposed to the bill and argued that more death sentences would result. Nevertheless, Missouri was, on the whole, a state that supported the death penalty for serious crimes. The bill was changed to lethal gas instead of the electric chair, and passed. In total, 40 inmates were put to death in the gas chamber between 1937 and 1989 when MSP death row ended and all capital punishment inmates were moved to the new prison at Potosi. Age : 33 Crime : Convicted of killing Dr. J.T. McCampbell and negro druggist in a robbery on March 15, 1933, in Kansas City, Missouri.... --- ## Infamous Inmates URL: https://missouripentours.com/history/infamous-inmates/ # Infamous Inmates of the Missouri State Penitentiary #### Infamous Inmates ## Notorious Prisoners of the MSP A former Union General, the first train robber, 1930s gangsters, world champion athletes, and the assassin that killed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. all came through the gates of the Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP) as inmates. Some left MSP for successful careers in the arts, sports, and even state government; others chose a life of more crime. #### Prison Tours ## Missouri State Penitentiary Tours in Jefferson City, MO View FAQs Contact Us --- ## Riot of 1954 URL: https://missouripentours.com/history/1954-riot/ # The 1954 Riot at Missouri State Penitentiary #### Riot of 1954 ## The Infamous Riot in Jefferson City, MO During the years of 1953 and 1954 there had been a rash of prison riots across the United States. Many feared the Missouri system was ripe for an outbreak as well. The potential for riot became a popular topic of conversation which the Missouri Highway Patrol took very seriously, drafting a plan and training officers how to respond to such an event. The advance preparation would come in handy before long.It was Wednesday evening, September 22, around 6:30, when two inmates feigned illness to attract the attention of two guards. When the guards entered the hall to investigate, they were overpowered and their keys were stolen. One of the guards was beaten severely. The two convicts then bolted out of their cell and ran along the cellblock, releasing others as they went.... --- ## Timeline URL: https://missouripentours.com/history/timeline/ # Historical Timeline of the Missouri State Penitentiary #### Timeline ## A Chronology of Jefferson City's Infamous Prison In 1831 Jefferson City’s hold on the capital city status was a tenuous one. To ensure that it remained the seat of government, Governor John Miller suggested a prison be built in Jefferson City. Construction began in 1834 and the first inmate arrived in 1836. From then on the prison became famous for being one of the most efficient in the country…and infamous for its  notorious inmates  and the  1954 riot  on its grounds. ### History of the MSP Want to learn more about the MSP? Just click on the photos in the slideshow below to find out the history of the Missouri State Penitentiary! #### Prison Tours ## Missouri State Penitentiary Tours in Jefferson City, MO View FAQs Contact Us --- ## Women in Prison URL: https://missouripentours.com/history/women-in-prison/ # Women in the Missouri State Penitentiary ## Women Inmates of the MSP From the earliest days there was a need to isolate the female convicts that came to the Missouri State Penitentiary. Unfortunately, there was little provision for their incarceration. A number of female federal prisoners were sent to MSP because there were no federal facilities for women at the time. Their crimes were, in many cases, violations of immigration, naturalization or conspiracy laws, which coincided with the heightened fears during WWI.In May of 1842, the first female convict was sent to the Penitentiary. Amelia Eddy from St. Louis County was given a two-year sentence for grand larceny. She would not serve her sentence; however, within only a few days of arriving she was pardoned and released because of the lack of adequate facilities for her. To this point, no real effort had been made to arrange for the housing of women convicted of crimes.... --- ## History Tours URL: https://missouripentours.com/history-tours/ # History Tours With the history tours at Missouri State Penitentiary, you’ll truly feel the history! Our history tours will immerse you in the prison’s past with fascinating stories about the dangerous inmates that walked its halls and changed the prison system in the United States. On one of our tours, a former inmate will even relate what the penitentiary was like from the perspective of one incarcerated in its cells. Our private and student tours are also a great way to have a more intimate experience of the MSP. Choose your tour below! #### 5 and under are not permitted ## 2-Hour History Tour Step back in time and discover the intriguing history of the infamous Missouri State Penitentiary on this guided tour! Hear about escape attempts, riots, female inmates, and more.... --- ## Lodging URL: https://missouripentours.com/lodging/ # Lodging in Jefferson City, MO ## Find a Place to Stay Near the MSP Looking for a place to stay near the Missouri State Penitentiary before your tour? Choose from a variety of hotel accommodations and campgrounds! ### Hotels Hotel properties ### Vacation Rentals Short term vacation rentals ### Camping Campgrounds and RV parks #### Prison Tours ## Missouri State Penitentiary Tours in Jefferson City, MO View FAQs Contact Us --- ## Media URL: https://missouripentours.com/media/ # Missouri State Penitentiary Media Gallery ## Historical Photos of MSP ## Life at MSP ## Before Decommissioning ## After Decommissioning ## Riot of 1954 ## Aerial Photos ## Video Gallery --- ## Stories From Inside The Walls URL: https://missouripentours.com/share-your-story/ # Stories From Inside The Walls ## Stories The Missouri State Penitentiary was once the oldest prison west of the Mississippi River. Operating from 1836-2004, it is rare for a landmark to have a 168-year historic timeline with people still living to tell its stories. Although there are many who are no longer with us, their stories have been passed down to their relatives and friends. The “Stories From Inside the Walls” program aims to collect and share the narratives of individuals about the decommissioned Missouri State Penitentiary. The stories shared within this program are provided voluntarily by former inmates, former staff members, and the public. #### Prison Tours ## Missouri State Penitentiary Tours in Jefferson City, MO View FAQs Contact Us --- ## Student Tours URL: https://missouripentours.com/student-tours/ # Student Tours Bring your students to learn the fascinating (or frightening) history of Jefferson City’s most notorious penitentiary! These private tours are perfect for student groups and includes age-appropriate content. #### Ages 5 or 10 years old ## Private Student History Tour Bring your students to learn the fascinating history of Jefferson City’s most notorious penitentiary! This private tour is perfect for student groups and includes age-appropriate content. Call to Book Learn More #### Ages 12+ ## Private Student Ghost Tour Give your students a lesson in fright with this ghost tour of the Missouri State Penitentiary! Content is age appropriate and includes state history and MSP facts and details. Call to Book Learn More ## Inside the Experience Real guest reviews from visitors who have walked the cellblocks, explored the prison’s history, and experienced its darker side firsthand. --- ## Museum URL: https://missouripentours.com/history/museum/ # Missouri State Penitentiary Museum #### Museum ## Continue Your Journey into Missouri's Past In conjunction with the Missouri State Penitentiary tours, the museum provides additional historical information about the famous prison that operated for 168 years. The museum houses MSP memorabilia as well as a replica cell that demonstrates the living conditions at the prison. Visitors can view the many displays that provide information on prison industries, contract labor/private industries, life inside the walls and control/counter-control as well as items on loan from former Deputy Warden Mark Schreiber. Please make reservations for groups of 10 or more. The museum is located in the lower level of the Col. Darwin W. Marmaduke House at 700 E. Capitol Avenue. Admission is $2 per person (or free with the purchase of a prison tour). Museum Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Saturday 10:00 a.... ---