The Old Wyoming State Penitentiary in use from 1901 - 1981 is now listed on the National
Register of Historic Places and offers hour-long guided tours that take visitors through three
cell blocks, the cafeteria, the grounds and the Death House.

Convolutions of Statehood inspired plans for a State Prison of Rawlins, just one score after
the Civil War. Construction of the old prison began in the summer of 1888 and when great
slabs of rock and sandstone were dragged from the Larsen Stone Quarry south of Rawlins. 
After 13 years of major funding problems, and extraordinarily harsh Wyoming weather,
construction was completed and prisoners were moved from the territorial prison on
December 12, 1901. Having served the State of Wyoming for over eighty colorful years the
old prison was abandoned September 6, 1981 when the prisoners were transferred to a
new prison located south of Rawlins. Free admission into the museum itself. Guided tours
of the prison cost $4.25 for adults and $3.75 for seniors and children.