Wyoming Territorial Prison
🔒 Butch Cassidy Did Time Here — The Frontier Prison Where the Wild West Met Federal Justice — Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site in Laramie, Wyoming, built 1872, operated as federal/territorial prison until 1903, Butch Cassidy (Robert LeRoy Parker) imprisoned 1894–1896 (horse theft), restored prison building, frontier justice museum, horse barn, broom factory, prison yard, University of Wyoming stock farm, National Register of Historic Places — Albany County, WY
In 1894, a 28-year-old horse thief named Robert LeRoy Parker walked through the gates of the Wyoming Territorial Prison in Laramie. When he walked out eighteen months later, he changed his name to Butch Cassidy — and became the most famous outlaw in the American West.
The prison that held him still stands. Built in 1872 — when Wyoming was still a territory — it was the only federal prison between the Mississippi River and the Pacific coast. For three decades, it held horse thieves, cattle rustlers, murderers, and con men in a building designed to bring law and order to the wildest landscape in America.
What to See
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Prison Building | Fully restored 1872 territorial prison. Original cell blocks, guard rooms, and administrative offices. Self-guided tour through the cells where inmates lived |
| Butch Cassidy Exhibit | Dedicated exhibit on the prison’s most famous inmate. His actual prison record — including his physical description, crime (horse theft), and sentence |
| Frontier Justice Museum | Exhibits on law enforcement in the territorial West — U.S. Marshals, frontier courts, crime and punishment. Photographs, documents, and artifacts |
| Horse Barn | Restored barn where prison draft horses were kept. Now houses exhibits on territorial-era ranching and agriculture |
| Broom Factory | Inmates manufactured brooms as part of the prison’s work program — an early experiment in prison labor reform |
| Prison Yard | The enclosed exercise yard where inmates spent their outdoor hours. Original stone walls |
The Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1869 | Wyoming Territory established. First territory to grant women the right to vote |
| 1872 | Wyoming Territorial Prison built in Laramie — the only federal prison between the Mississippi and the Pacific |
| 1890 | Wyoming becomes the 44th state. The prison continues operating under state authority |
| 1894 | Robert LeRoy Parker (Butch Cassidy) imprisoned for horse theft. Sentenced to two years; released after 18 months for good behavior |
| 1896 | Cassidy released. Forms the Wild Bunch — the most successful train-robbing gang in American history |
| 1901 | Wyoming State Penitentiary opens in Rawlins. The territorial prison begins to phase out |
| 1903 | Prison closes. Building transferred to the University of Wyoming, which uses it as an experimental stock farm |
| 1989 | Fully restored and opened as a State Historic Site |
Best Time to Visit
| Season | Best For |
|---|---|
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | ☀️ Full hours and programs. Laramie at its best. Combine with Medicine Bow country |
| Fall (Sep–Oct) | 🍂 Cool weather. University of Wyoming in session. Fall color in the Laramie Range |
| Spring (Apr–May) | Opening season. Variable weather. Wyoming spring can be cold and windy |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Limited hours or closed. Laramie winters are harsh. Check before visiting |
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Butch Cassidy really here?
Yes — his actual prison record survives. Robert LeRoy Parker (his real name) was convicted of horse theft and served 18 months in 1894–1896. After his release, he adopted the name Butch Cassidy and formed the Wild Bunch.
What did he do after prison?
He became the most famous outlaw in the West. The Wild Bunch — Cassidy, the Sundance Kid, and others — robbed trains and banks across Wyoming, Colorado, Idaho, and Nevada. Cassidy reportedly fled to South America in 1901 and was (possibly) killed in Bolivia in 1908.
What was the broom factory?
An early prison labor program. Inmates manufactured brooms for sale — one of the first experiments in productive prison work in the American West. The factory building has been restored.
🔒 Where Butch Cassidy Became Butch Cassidy
Built 1872. The only federal prison between the Mississippi and the Pacific. Robert LeRoy Parker walked in. Butch Cassidy walked out.
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