Old Idaho Penitentiary Site
About This Museum
You'd never guess that just a stone's throw from downtown Boise, inmates once broke out of this prison not with smuggled tools, but by setting their own mattresses on fire. Walking through the massive sandstone gate feels like stepping into a different century, one with a heavy, silent atmosphere. I spent an hour just wandering the cell blocks, running my hand along the cold iron bars and peering into the tiny, sparse cells. It’s a hauntingly beautiful place that tells a thousand stories of desperation and resilience without saying a word.
Collection Highlights
Don't miss 'The Gallows' exhibit, which chillingly details the prison's ten executions, or J. Curtis Earl's massive collection of historic firearms and weapons displayed in the main cell block.
Visitor Information
Grab a self-guided tour map at the entrance and just wander—the sprawling site with its thirty buildings is yours to explore at your own pace. Wear good shoes; it's all outdoors on gravel paths.
Architecture & Building
It's a fortress-like complex built from rough-hewn local sandstone that evolved over decades, creating a stark mix of Romanesque-style buildings right out of an old Western movie.
Contact & Location
Address: Old Idaho Penitentiary, 2445, East Old Penitentiary Road, East End, Boise, Ada County, Idaho, 83712, United States
Phone: +1 208-334-2844
Website: Visit Website
