Old Idaho Penitentiary
HAUNTED FM · LOCATION FILE 031
Boise · Idaho · Prisons & hospitals
Image-Id-state-penitentiary-old-facade.jpg — Peter Wollheim. CC BY 2.5. Image source and credits. Displayed at reduced size; no content edits.
Reported haunting · Check access
Preserved prison buildings with historical interpretation and occasional themed events.
Historical background
The Old Idaho Penitentiary State Historic Site was a functional prison from 1872 to 1973 in the western United States, east of Boise, Idaho. The first building, also known as the Territorial Prison, was constructed in the Territory of Idaho in 1870; the territory was seven years old when the prison was built, a full two decades before statehood. From its beginnings as a single cell house, the penitentiary grew to a complex of several distinctive buildings surrounded by a 17-foot-high (5.2 m) sandstone wall. The stone was quarried from the nearby ridges by the resident convicts, who also assisted in later constructions.
Background excerpt: Old Idaho State Penitentiary, Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0. Excerpted from the introduction; formatting simplified. Contributor history.
The story behind the stop
The accounts associated with this location are reports and folklore, not proof of paranormal activity. Read the source account ↗
Plan your visit
Check the source and the venue’s current visitor information before setting out. This label does not guarantee that interiors, tours, or grounds are open. Confirm hours, admission, accessibility, and any reservation requirements.
Use authorized tours and approved routes. These institutions hold histories of real people; avoid treating suffering as a prop or entering restricted areas.
Locate Old Idaho Penitentiary on a map ↗
Prepared October 2, 2026. Opening hours, prices, access, and tour availability are not monitored in real time.
Keep exploring Idaho
- Silver City Historic Area · Silver City