Old Idaho State Penitentiary, Boise (must see)

In 1973 the grimmest, saddest building in Idaho stopped being the Idaho State Prison and became the Old Idaho Penitentiary State Historic Site. To look at it one can imagine that while visitors may be curious and fascinated, there are others (and they are many) who would rather forget it.

This first building, known as the Territorial Prison, was built in the territory in 1870. It began as a single cell prison house. In time it had expanded into a prison complex surrounded by a sandstone wall erected by the prisoners themselves.

In its existence as a prison the old penitentiary had held over 13,000 inmates. Its maximum population was 600. Two celebrity inmates should be mentioned here. The deadly duo was Harry Orchard and Lyda Southard. Orchard had murdered hapless Governor Frank Steunenberg in 1915.

Southard was also referred to as Lady Bluebeard. She, of course, didn't have a bluebeard but she did have three husbands. She did them in for the life insurance.

The Territorial Prison was completed in 1872 and received its first 11 inmates. The new cell house had three tiers of cells, 42 in all and made of steel. The third tier served as Death Row.

The area of the prison yard now known as the rose garden was used for hangings. Six were hung here. Cell House 2 in the North wing, had two-man cells. A "honey bucket" was used for a toilet. It did NOT contain honey. Cell House 3 was condemned for living. It was turned into a shoe factory.

It seems a pity Cell House 3 was condemned for living. It was the first cell house to have plumbing. Perhaps it was early experimental plumbing.

Cell House 4 was the most up to date cell house at the prison. Prisoners decorated their walls with paintings and graffiti.

Cell House 5 was for the most violent inmates, It was a maximum security facility with solitary cells and a built-in gallows. There was also an up-to-date "Death Row."