1907 Women's Prison- Deer Lodge, MT
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T0SHEA
N 46° 23.591 W 112° 44.224
12T E 366451 N 5139200
This is one of several history signs within the old Montana State Prison, each of which which relates a small aspect of the history of the prison. This sign tells us more about the 1907 building originally built to house women, since demolished.
Waymark Code: WMMTM2
Location: Montana, United States
Date Posted: 11/03/2014
Views: 3
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, reprinted below.
This is the area where the building once stood
1907 Women's Prison
Female inmates moved to a new home in December of 1907. Conditions may not have been much, but at least they had their own exercise yard.
The 20 foot high, 2 foot thick wall encloses an area 110 by 140 feet. The new women's quarters included steam heat, hot and cold water, bath room, and electric lights. The structure also had a disciplinary or "dark cell".
Corrections officials visited the site in 1929. They were not impressed with the condition of the structure and wanted it taken out of use. Prison Administration responded by making repairs and adding a room at the south end of the building, to serve as a hospital.
Despite repeated recommendations to take the area out of use, the building was utilized until operations were moved to the current location, west of Deer Lodge.
From the sign