More than a prison…

Located on 197 acres and built in 1872, the Wyoming Territorial Prison was dedicated to “evil doers of all classes and kinds.” There were 1,063 violent and desperate outlaws, men and women, that walked through the massive iron doors and occupied the cells.  The most famous of these was Robert LeRoy Parker or known as “Butch Cassidy” (to learn more about Butch and his time in Wyoming, click here: http://www.wyohistory.org/encyclopedia/butch-cassidy-wyoming).

Following the removal of prisoners to a new penitentiary facility in Rawlins (1903), the University of Wyoming acquired the prison property and adapted the buildings and grounds for use as an agricultural experiment station for the College of Agriculture.  The College of Agriculture utilized the site until 1989.

The Prison was restored and renovated in the 1990s by the efforts of the citizens of Laramie and the State of Wyoming. The Prison building, Warden’s house, and Prison Industries building interpret the dramatic times of Wyoming’s Territorial days and early Statehood history.  The 2012 opening of the “Science on the Range” exhibit inside the historic 1910 horse barn focuses on the quest for agriculture knowledge using science, advancing not only the farm and stock interest of Wyoming but provided students essential hands-on learning toward agricultural and veterinary science degrees.

Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site is open EVERY DAY (including holidays) from May 1 through Oct. 31, 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. DAILY

Adults: $5.00, Ages 12-17: $2.50, Ages 11 and Under: FREE

Guided tours are provided on Fridays – Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 pm., Sundays – Mondays at 2:00 p.m. and are included in the price of admission.

Find Wyoming Territorial Prison at the following address:

975 Snowy Range Rd
Laramie, WY 82070
(307) 745-3733

and at: Wyoming State Parks, Historical Site and Trails

Supported by the Wyoming Territorial Prison Historic Association and State Parks & Cultural Resources