Deer Lodge in Powell County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

1870-1931 Federal Building

Old Montana Prison

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 10, 2013

1. 1870-1931 Federal Building Marker

Inscription. The first prison building was constructed on this site in 1870 while Montana was still a territory of the United States. It served as a territorial prison and federal penitentiary. In 1889, when Montana attained statehood, it became the Montana State Prison.

The original three-story brick and granite structure had 14 cells. The building was demolished in 1931 and replaced a year later with the current administration building.

The prison “opened for reception of territorial and United States convicts on the second day of July , 1871, on which day I received nine convicts.” (William F. Wheeler, U.S. Marshal for Montana Territory)

Erected by Old Montana Prison Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Law Enforcement. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1871.

Location. 46° 23.554′ N, 112° 44.158′ W. Marker is in Deer Lodge, Montana, in Powell County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Main Street (Business U.S. 90) and Texas Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located on the Old Montana Prison Museum grounds, just inside the main front gate, directly in front of the 1931 Administration Building (former site of the old Federal Building). Touch for map. Marker

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is at or near this postal address: 1106 Main Street, Deer Lodge MT 59722, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 1931 Administration Building (here, next to this marker); 1959 Riot (a few steps from this marker); 1896 Cell House (a few steps from this marker); Execution of George Rock (within shouting distance of this marker); 1912 Cell House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Old Montana Prison (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Siberia East (about 300 feet away); 1909 Last Spike Monument (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Deer Lodge.

More about this marker. Marker is a large, laser-printed metal plaque, mounted horizontally on a waist-high post.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Old Montana Prison

Also see . . . Territorial Prison. In response to rampant lawlessness and the vigilante-style form of justice present in the newly formed Montana Territory, in 1867 the US Congress allotted $40,000 to Montana for the express purpose of constructing a territorial prison. On 19 November 1867, the territorial government chose Deer Lodge as the site of the facility, and on 2 June 1870, the cornerstone was laid. The original plans for the building called for a structure which

Marker detail: 1870-1931 Federal Building image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: 1870-1931 Federal Building

held three tiers of fourteen cells, but due to the difficulty of acquiring materials, the cost to ship those materials, and the expense of hiring labor, the new building would house only one of the three tiers. On 2 July 1871, US Marshal William Wheeler took possession of the first nine prisoners to be incarcerated in the facility. (Submitted on December 24, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

1931 Administration Building (<i>view from near marker; site of 1870 Territorial Prison </i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 10, 2013

3. 1931 Administration Building (view from near marker; site of 1870 Territorial Prison )

Credits. This page was last revised on December 25, 2018. It was originally submitted on December 24, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 206 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 24, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.