The mover's come next Thurs. to pack up our house and a week later we're on the road for our new adventure. I figured I'd better finally catch up on our recent vacationing or it'll never get done so here's the quick review.
On our way up to Washington, we drove by tourist signs that said Prison Museums. Sounded interesting enough but not until we had to stop in the town for a potty break did we see how cool it looked from the outside that I was determined to see the inside. The signs said closed so I asked the gas station attendant about it and yep, winter hours. So we planned our trip home to ensure we'd get to take the tour and I'm telling you it was worth the stop. If you ever drive by Deer Lodge, Montana and see those signs saying Prison Museums, enjoy a 1-2 hr pit stop. (It's mostly outdoors, so make sure you dress for the occasion.)
Visiting area.
Pictures of actual prisoners. It was fascinating to read about them.
Contraband. Prisoners really do cut holes in books to store their contraband items.
Hospital room. That's some old stuff.
This was the bazooka used during the 1959 riot. "On April 16, 1959, Jerry Myles and Lee Smart led 12 inmates in a riot, which left Deputy Warden Ted Rothe dead. They took 18 prison employees and 5 stool pigeon inmates as hostages, soaked rags with flammable liquid and threatened to burn them alive.
After 36 hrs of mounting tension, Warden Floyd Powell implemented a daring rescue attempt. The National Guard fired a bazooka at the tower where the ringleaders were headquartered. Meanwhile, a team of men burst through the door in the west wall, crossed the yard, and entered the Cell House, freeing the hostages.
Myles and Smart were found dead of an apparent murder-suicide at the top floor of the tower."
The girls loved the typewriter. You don't see too many of these anymore.
Execution by hanging.
This was just one section of the prison. I think it was 4 stories high. This place reminded us of the movie Shawshank Redemption.
The showers.
This cell only had one bunk but they usually had a second bunk right above it. These are some tight living quarters.
Part of the prison was turned into a car museum. We only took pictures at the beginning of the tour but the cars started from the first model T Ford's and went through each of the decades up to the present. Over 200 cars I think. The cars were gorgeous and it was lots of fun to show the kids the progression of the car industry.
By the time we were done, it was time to get on the road and get home.
4 comments:
I've never heard of a prison museum, but it sure looked and sounded pretty cool!!
I love any kind of museum so that looks awesome. What fun outings you guys go on. I love that you find education opportunities everywhere...still have no desire to teach my own kids at home but good for you.
thats awesome. It sounds like it would be so much fun, and I love the pictures its looks like it would be nice to go there too. I have always wanted to go Alcatraz, might have to make a trip that way before we leave here. By the way I cant believe you are almost leaving me, you better not go with out letting me come see you first.
We just got back from a trip to New Mexico which included a stop at the Route 66 Museum in Santa Rosa. The museum brought back memories of a Ford Museum next to a prison we had visited many years ago, where, I could not remember. So I just googled up your web site and, sure enough, there is the prison and the cars. Thanks for the memory boast.
By the way, we drive Fords and are LDS in Houston, Texas.
Post a Comment