Farmington in St. Francois County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

The Jailbreak of 1932

Photographed by Jason Voigt, August 18, 2025

1. The Jailbreak of 1932 Marker

Inscription.
On February 6, 1932, at around 6:45 p.m., thirty-one prisoners huddled in the back of their cell as nine sticks of dynamite were used to blow a hole in the north wall of the St. Francois County Jail. The prisoners were stunned for a few seconds by the fierce explosion and only seven were able to make a break for it before the sheriff, who resided on the upper floor of the jail with his family, and his deputy were on the scene outside. Five of the prisoners fled and were eventually recaptured. One prisoner was shot after kicking three pickets out of the fence surrounding the jail and another was shot and killed as he was climbing over it. In the aftermath, the steel window sill weighing fourteen pounds was found on top of the high school located two blocks north, and it was reported that the blast was heard up to three miles away.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Events. A significant historical date for this entry is February 6, 1932.

Location. 37° 46.874′ N, 90° 25.375′ W. Marker is in Farmington, Missouri, in St. Francois County. It is at the intersection of West Liberty Street and North Franklin Street, on the left when traveling west on West Liberty Street. West Liberty Street is one-way. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 11 N Franklin St, Farmington MO 63640, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Missouri. It is also in the American Ozarks,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least

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8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: St. Francois County Jail (a few steps from this marker); War Memorial (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); In Memory of Reginald David Cleve (about 500 feet away); St. Francois County War Memorial (about 500 feet away); St. Francois County Courthouse (about 500 feet away); Sarah Barton Murphy (about 600 feet away); Oldest Brick Building in Downtown Farmington (about 800 feet away); The McCormick House (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Farmington.

Additional keywords. crime

Photographed by Jason Voigt, August 18, 2025

2. The Jailbreak of 1932 Marker

Posted on the side of the Historic Jail Museum/Visitor Center

Credits. This page was last revised on August 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 23, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 102 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 23, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.