The prison was built in stages over many years, mostly by the convicts themselves, a good example of "hard labor". The present cell block was built in 1896, the prison wall was extended
north in 1911 and a 400-man cell block built within in 1912, a theatre was built in 1918-1919, the administration building in 1930-1931, and dormitories, a storage building and a visitor centre were built between 1910 and 1930. A maximum security building, also used as a women's ward was built circa 1918.
Self sufficient, the prison had its own water well and water tower, power house, hospital and school.
The prison was still in use when entered in the national register on September 3rd, 1976, but was decommissioned by the end of the decade.
The Powell County Museum has online a
great article on the prison.
1935 Hospital/Tag Plant
The hospital and industrial complex contained a medical facility on one end and an industrial shop on the other. The hospital provided modern medical facilities for the prison, including an infirmary, surgical hospital, dental laboratory, psychiatric ward and physician's office.
The industrial- shop contained various prison industries over the years, including a license plate factory and a shoe shop. From 1928 to the present, the prison has manufactured all the license plates for the State of Montana. In the mid 1960s, the license plate factory was moved to the prison ranch. Eight detention cells were then constructed in the center of this building.
From the sign