The Idaho State Penitentiary was built in the 1870s and is one of the only four territorial prisons that are open to the public today, meaning that it was built before Idaho became a proper state. For 101 years, the penitentiary was in service and many extraordinary things happened from escapes, to six executions happening in its rose garden.
According to, usghostadventures.com, “Prisons are notorious for their hauntings, and the Idaho State Penitentiary is no stranger to them. Like many haunted locations across the nation, the prison has made its imprint on the land, and the spirits of those who resided there remain.” The penitentiary is hosting an event (on Oct. 21 at 9:15 p.m. for $40 per person) where 50 participants try and contact the prisoners that died there. The only requirement is that people have to be at least 18 years old to attend.
The reason that the Idaho Penitentiary is a perfect haunting ground for the ghosts of the inmates is because of the terrible things that happened inside of the primitive prison. Two of the most famous inmates that were held at the Penitentiary were Harry Orchard and Lyda Southard. Both of them did horrific things. Orchard assassinated the former Governor, Frank Steunenberg, in 1905. Southard was known as Lady Bluebeard, and she killed her several husbands for life insurance.
The Idaho State Penitentiary even has a dungeon built in it for inmates who fought and caused trouble. It is a large underground stone-walled dungeon that has rings to hold prisoners in the walls. However, this is not even the worst spot in the prison.
According to usghostadventures.com, “The worst spot was known as ‘Siberia’ a severe solitary confinement cell that was made up of concrete walls, floors and ceilings. There was no light, plumbing, or water.” In this severe solitary confinement, at least one prison is known to have died.
While the Penitentiary is an important part of Idaho’s history, the conditions of the prison were horrid, this is one of the reasons people believe they can look for ghosts there. People think that spirits want revenge on the souls of those who dare to trespass on their soil. The building was built out of sandstone walls that would hold the heat of Idaho’s summer, baking the prisoners inside. It would keep the cold, freezing the inmates in winter. Plumbing wasn’t installed until the 1920s. The lack of ventilation ended up making many inmates sick during their time. Out if the 13,000 inmates that stayed in the penitentiary, 110 inmates died, with thousands more getting injured and sick.
According to usghostadventures.com, “It’s believed that many spirits who once were imprisoned here find solace and comfort in the rose garden. Some have great memories here, taking care of the bushes and enjoying the flowers that still bloom. A solid male apparition has been seen, dressed in prison-issued gardening clothes.” There were also portable gallows that were put in the rose garden when the prison first started, and people have reported seeing the spirits of people who were executed there.
The rose gardens aren’t the only place people believe to be haunted. Cell house block five, two and the multipurpose building are also spooky areas of the prison. In cell house block five, the ghost of Van Vlack supposedly dwells, letting people know he’s there by draining batteries and appearing to visitors as a greenish light. There is also an unknown man who died in a botched hanging that is said to stay near the death chamber, gasping and struggling for air.
In cell house block two, there is supposed to be a huge man who is called Big Louie. Big Louie is known for shoving visitors. In the multipurpose building, the spirit of a man who got assaulted and brutally attacked in the showers makes fun of visitors who dare to come near, according to folklore.
Visiting the old Idaho State Penitentiary would be a fun way to get students and their families into the Halloween spirit. Unfortunately, the event is sold out and to go, students would have to be 18 or older. However, students can visit the Penitentiary and get a student discount. The cost is between three and six dollars. People can also get a guided tour for two more dollars or do a self-guided tour. Thankful for students the Penitentiary is close to Eagle High, located only 16.2 miles away, it’s on E Old Penitentiary RD. If students go, make sure they that they do not get jumped by any dead prisoners looking for revenge.
