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Missouri State Penitentiary Tours

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When this prison opened in 1836, the Battle of the Alamo was going on in Texas. Missouri’s prison was 100 years old when Alcatraz started housing federal prisoners. In 1967, the Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP) was named the “bloodiest 47 acres in America” by Time magazine. Before it closed in 2004, MSP was the oldest continually operating penitentiary west of the Mississippi River.

The Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP) was decommissioned in 2004. It is open (seasonally) for public tours, operated by the Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). Tour guides are former corrections officers, guards and wardens who worked within the walls of MSP. Prison-related gifts and souvenirs are available for purchase.

The tours showcase the history of MSP and the early penal eras in the U.S. Tours may include: the control center, the upper yard, cellblocks in housing units A (the oldest remaining cellblock on the grounds; built in 1868) and other housing units, the dungeon cells (where inmates often went mad), the industry area, the exercise yard, and the gas chamber (where 40 inmates, men and women, were executed).

Visit cells of famous inmates such as heavyweight champion Sonny Liston and James Earl Ray (who escaped in 1967 and went on to assassinate Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968).

The Missouri State Penitentiary is an incredibly historical site. Because of the nature and subject of the tours, no children younger than 10 are permitted. Photographs are allowed, but no video may be taken. No smoking. No food allowed. Because of the age of the facility, these tours are not wheelchair accessible. All attendees must sign a waiver of liability. Persons younger than 18 must have guardian’s signature on the waiver.

This CVB reserves the right to refuse admission to anyone. You may experience low visibility, damp or wet conditions, uneven ground and stairs. You should not enter if you suffer from asthma, heart conditions, are prone to seizures, have physical ailments or any type of condition that prohibits you from walking or standing. Do not enter this attraction if you are intoxicated, wearing any form of cast, medical brace, are using crutches or a wheelchair, or have any type of physical limitation.

Reservations are required for all tours. Every person on the tour must have a reservation. You may visit the website and call the CVB for details, schedules and reservations. Extended and paranormal (ghost) tours are offered. Special and group tours may be arranged.

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Missouri State Penitentiary Tours

Review Highlights

“ For some reason they collected our flashlights before we went over to the gas chamber and it was REALLY dark over there. ” in 11 reviews

“ Our tour guide was a guard when the prison was open, and his stories made everything that much more interesting. ” in 12 reviews

“ Mike Groose, the former warden of the now-closed facility, reeled off one story after another during the tour. ” in 3 reviews

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115 Lafayette St

Jefferson City, MO 65101

Serving Jefferson City Area

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Public History and Paranormal Tours, Student HistoryTours, Private Tours Available for Groups of 20 or More, 5- & 8-Hour Public & Private Overnights …

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Is it true that there are 100's of body's still buried under the parking lot beside the gas chamber?

Yes. Theres bodies with no records of being moved because even though the bodies have been dead for a long long time the small pox disease and one other disease can lay dormant in the ground and digging up the bodies could lead to another outbreak… more

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I went on a tour on Friday evening and had the BEST time! This was such an interesting and fun experience that I would definitely do again! Highly recommend!

See all photos from Erin D. for Missouri State Penitentiary Tours

Interesting and informative. Great tour and well worth the money. Make a stop for this tour.

We did the 3 hour - ghost tour. It was fun! Writing this review because it's what I wanted to see before I went. What do you wear? Tennis shoes and dress for the weather. There is no heat/air. We went August 19th and it was hot! Do they have EMF readers? Yes, take your ID with you they will keep it until you turn your meter back in. Flashlights? Take one or a headlamp. You can use your phone but who are we kidding, no one ever has a full charge. Fill out the waiver BEFORE you get there to make check in easy and quick. Gift shop is available, however, you will be able to buy things before the tour as it's not open afterwards. There is bottled water available for purchase in the gift shop. Okay, for the tour. Our tour started at 11. Your guide takes you around to the different buildings and tells you a little bit about the history and what each building was used for (i.e. gen pop, death row, women's ward, max security) after about 25 minutes of setting the ground rules you're free to wander about the property and enter each building when, how, where you want. You can sit in one place for a while and then slowly move to another. Or stay in one spot the whole time. There were about 40 people on the tour but you're not hardly in the same places as the others because you're all moving around.

See all photos from Morgan M. for Missouri State Penitentiary Tours

Went on a tour today. Michael and Fred did an amazing job! I would recommend this experience!

The bloodiest 47 acres in the USA is the legend of this ghostly prison which trapped inmates within it's chiseled stone walls for 160 years! Alcatraz had less murders within it's walls in it's entire existence, than the Missouri State Penitentiary experienced annually. Lots of famous prisoners checked in here. James Earl Ray escaped from here hiding in a bread box in 1967 and killed MLK in 1968. The visit to the gas chamber was ghastly!

See all photos from Bill S. for Missouri State Penitentiary Tours

On September 15, 2023 we went on a history tour. Our tour guide, Mike, was very knowledgeable and informative. He made the tour interactive and gave us a lot of facts. The 2 hours went very quickly. I would highly recommend for any history buff. He was even able to make a connection to our home area with 3 inmates making it even more interesting.

This was a very interesting tour. I would recommend for anyone visit going the area. The gas chamber was especially creepy.

We went here for a 5 hour ghost hunting experience with equipment. Ghost Hunters was also here filming the same night. Because of them our tour got delayed about 2 hours and we never got a reimbursement for the time lost. Instead of being able to go off on our own we had to wait just to get our EMF readers and then had to wait to rotate. This is one of the least spiritually active places I have visited. None of the spirits communicated, no shadow figures, some orbs here and there but nothing significantly different. This place has potential but if only the group sizes were smaller than 55 and people weren't completely disrespectful it would have been a better experience.

Larry was a great tour guide through this unique experience. I learned a lot of history about America's bloodiest 47 acres. Top thing we did in Jefferson City.

My husband and I did the 2 hour ghost tour for our anniversary and it was well worth the money! We had a blast! The tour guides Tom and Mary-Ann were so nice and knowledgeable about the prisons history. We will definitely be coming back and for the longer ghost tour!

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Prison Tours

The Jefferson City Missouri Prison, also known as the Missouri State Penitentiary, is a historic prison that operated for over 150 years until it was closed in 2004. Today, the prison is open to the public for tours that offer a fascinating glimpse into the world of incarceration.

The Jefferson City Missouri Prison tours are not for the faint of heart. Visitors are taken on a guided tour of the prison, which includes visits to the cells, death row, the gas chamber, and the old dungeon. The tour guides are knowledgeable and passionate about the prison's history, and they do an excellent job of bringing the stories of the inmates and guards to life.

One of the most fascinating parts of the tour is the visit to the gas chamber. This room is where 39 men were executed by gas between 1938 and 1989. The tour guides explain how the gas chamber worked, and visitors are given the opportunity to see the chamber and even step inside it. It is a chilling reminder of the prison's dark history.

Another highlight of the Jefferson City Missouri Prison tours is the visit to the old dungeon. This is where inmates were sent when they misbehaved, and the conditions were harsh. The cells were small, dark, and cold, and there was no running water or toilet facilities. The tour guides explain how inmates were kept in isolation in these cells for days, weeks, or even months at a time, and the psychological toll it took on them.

While the tour of the prison can be intense, it is also incredibly educational. Visitors learn about the history of the prison and the criminal justice system in Missouri. They also gain insight into the lives of the inmates and guards who lived and worked at the prison. It is a valuable experience for anyone interested in history, criminology, or social justice.

The Jefferson City Missouri Prison tours are also popular with ghost hunters and paranormal enthusiasts. The prison is said to be haunted, and there have been numerous reports of ghostly activity. Visitors on the tour may hear strange noises, see unexplained shadows, or feel cold spots. Some visitors even claim to have seen the ghosts of former inmates or guards.

The prison has been featured on several TV shows, including Ghost Adventures and Ghost Hunters. These shows have helped to increase the prison's popularity and attract even more visitors to the tours.

One thing to keep in mind when planning a visit to the Jefferson City Missouri Prison is that the tours can be crowded, especially during peak season. It is recommended to book tickets in advance and arrive early to avoid the crowds. The tours can also be physically demanding, as visitors must climb stairs and navigate narrow corridors.

In conclusion, the Jefferson City Missouri Prison tours offer a unique and unforgettable experience for visitors. The prison's history is fascinating, and the tour guides do an excellent job of bringing it to life. While the tour can be intense, it is also incredibly educational and provides valuable insight into the criminal justice system. Whether you are a history buff, a ghost hunter, or simply looking for a unique experience, the Jefferson City Missouri Prison tours are not to be missed.

Whether you are visiting Jefferson City for the prison tours, or simply passing through on your travels, Parkers Place is the perfect place to stay. It offers a unique and unforgettable experience, with a location that can't be beaten.

For more information about touring the Missouri State Penitentiary visit: https://www.missouripentours.com/

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Missouri State Penitentiary Tours 115 Lafayette St

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Sign up for a tour of one of America’s biggest and bloodiest prisons. See the conditions prisoners lived in, and learn about prison politics, inmates’ pets, and famous escapees like James Earl Ray, who rode out of the penitentiary undetected in a bread truck. The tour ends in the gas chamber, where the especially macabre can pose for pictures. Would-be ghost hunters can opt for a paranormal tour, an overnight experience, or even a class in how to recognize and record paranormal activity. This 1836 prison is unsurprisingly, far from handicap accessible. Visitors are advised to wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and must sign a waiver before they’re allowed to begin the tour. Reasonably priced souvenirs made by prisoners are available in the gift shop.

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Learn about life as an inmate at the missouri state pen.

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Missouri State Penitentiary Museum

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Missouri State Penitentiary Museum - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• Mon - Fri 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
• (0.04 mi) Stay In The Center of It All at Parker's Place
• (0.04 mi) New! Parkers Place Suite 4
• (0.10 mi) Victorian Home--Middle of Everything!! Sleeps at least 12, 4 baths
• (0.26 mi) The Hawkin's House Suite Two Downtown Jefferson City, Missouri
• (0.26 mi) Hawkins House Lower Suite Downtown Jefferson City
• (0.09 mi) Love2Nourish
• (0.25 mi) Prison Brews
• (0.20 mi) O'Donoghue's Steaks & Sea Food
• (0.53 mi) Sweet Smoke BBQ
• (0.23 mi) JQ’s on High

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Jefferson City, Missouri : Missouri State Penitentiary Tours

Prison, 1836-2004, dubbed "the bloodiest 47 acres in America." Tours take you to the prison dungeon, and you're welcome to sit in the gas chamber's chair of death.

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Very imposing structure. The Missouri State Penitentiary is a great stop for those interested in history and in the paranormal.

In Jefferson City, Missouri, the Missouri State Penitentiary Redevelopment Commission is crafting grand plans for the 47-acre penal facility, once the largest in the U.S. The proposal includes transforming one of the old buildings -- the prison first opened in 1836 -- into a historical prison museum, and conducting tours of cells, the convict shoe factory, and Missouri's gas chamber....

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Ghost & Paranormal Tours

Get spooked in the missouri state penitentiary.

Our ghost and paranormal tours are a guaranteed fun and frightening experience. Whether you want to learn the ghostly stories of inmates that some say still roam the halls or you want to roll up your sleeves and learn to ghost hunt or investigate paranormal activity, our ghost and paranormal tours are a great way to experience the otherworldly side of the Missouri State Penitentiary!

• Most Popular Ghost Tour
• Users 13 and Under Not Permitted
• Hour Glass 2 hours

2-Hour Ghost Tour

Tour the spooky halls of the Missouri State Penitentiary and experience a fascinating part of Jefferson City’s history as you walk through the dungeon cells and other areas of the prison.

• Hour Glass 3 hours

3-Hour Ghost Hunt

Go ghost hunting through the eerie halls of the infamous Missouri State Penitentiary on this guided hunt! Get your EMF meters ready to see if you can find any paranormal activity.

• Users 17 and Under Not Permitted
• Hour Glass 5 hours

5-Hour Overnight Paranormal Investigation

Explore the strange and unbelievable occurrences at the Missouri State Penitentiary on this guided overnight ghost hunt. Face the ghosts of the most infamous prisoners in the dark!

• Hour Glass 8 hours

8-Hour Overnight Paranormal Investigation

Join our staff for an overnight paranormal investigation of the Missouri State Penitentiary! Book a tour of the Missouri State Penitentiary and spend the night searching for paranormal activity.

• 5/18/24 & 9/14/24
• Hour Glass 6 hours (Including Meet & Greet)

These Walls Still Talk – Overnight Investigation with MSP Staff

Spend a night investing paranormal activity with the Missouri State Penitentiary staff. This special ghost-hunting event includes a meet-and-greet and after-investigation recap.

Private 2-Hour Ghost Tour

Book a special private tour of the Missouri State Penitentiary and explore Jefferson City’s uncanny history with a personalized touch. Call us for more details!

• Hour Glass 5 hours & 8 hours

Private Overnight Paranormal Investigation

Discover the Missouri State Penitentiary on an overnight ghost tour for a more personalized experience in this haunted prison! Call us for more details.

• Users Ages 12+
• Hour Glass 1 hour

Private Student Ghost Tour

Give your students a lesson in fright with this ghost tour of the Missouri State Penitentiary! Content is age appropriate and includes state history and MSP facts and details.

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Missouri State Penitentiary Kicks Off 2024 Season

Jefferson City, Missouri, March 6, 2024 - The Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP) once again welcomes guests as the 2024 tour season begins.

Visitors can now return to the historic attraction, as MSP offers a variety of history, ghost, and photography tours, which began on March 3 and run through November 30. In conjunction with the tours, guests can also visit the Missouri State Penitentiary Museum , which resides in the lower level of the Col. Darwin W. Marmaduke House.

For a complete look at the tour schedule or to purchase tickets, individuals should visit MissouriPenTours.com . Due to limited tour capacity, guests are strongly encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance. Groups of 25 or more are encouraged to book a private tour and can do so at any time by calling 866.998.6998 or emailing [email protected] .

The 2023 season concluded with more than 29,000 visitors and a $3.5 million economic attendance expenditure in Jefferson City. Spending by visitors generates sales in lodging, food services, recreation, gas stations, and retail businesses. These sales support jobs for Missouri residents and contribute tax revenue to local and state governments.

Net profit from ticket and merchandise sales goes back into the preservation of MSP and tour enhancement. Collected since 2015, over $858.6k has gone to these efforts.

The Missouri State Penitentiary opened its doors in 1836 and at its peak was the largest operating prison in the United States. The prison is notably famous for housing inmates such as professional boxer Sonny Liston and notorious outlaw Pretty Boy Floyd. The prison was decommissioned in 2004 and opened for tours in 2009.

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Missouri State Penitentiary Tours – Go Directly To Jail

Oct 28, 2019

Now you can tour the infamous prison and get a feel for what it must have been like for the both the inmates and their guards! Tours visit the prison’s oldest remaining cellblock (Unit 4), control center, work area, exercise yard, dungeon cells, and – ulk – even the gas chamber.

Missouri State Prison Tours

Missouri State Penitentiary offers a wide variety of ways to explore the historic facility. There are History Tours, Photography Tours, and spooky Ghost and Paranormal Tours. In fact, there are currently 18 different kinds of tours available.

Tour guides at the prison are former corrections officers, guards, and wardens who worked here. You’ll know the stories they tell are on the level. Some of the more popular tours include:

The 2-Hour History Tour  – This tour digs into the prison’s intriguing history. You’ll learn about escape attempts, riots, famous inmates, and much more.

2-Hour Ghost Tour  – Hear the strange, unusual, and unexplained things that have occurred behind the Missouri State Pen’s walls. This tour visits Housing Units 1, 3, and 4, the dungeon cells, and the gas chamber. Brrrrr!

3-Hour Photography Tour  – Shutterbugs will love this 2-hour exploration of some of the most photographed parts of the prison.

Other tours offered include the  3-Hour Mystery Tour ,  8-Hour Overnight Paranormal Investigation , and the  3-Hour In-Depth History Tour .

Missouri State Penitentiary Museum

Hungry for more Missouri State Pen history?

The  Missouri State Penitentiary Museum  in Jefferson City continues the story of the prison with a wealth of penitentiary memorabilia. Exhibits highlight prison industries, contract labor, life inside the walls, and more. There’s even a replica jail cell.

The museum is located in the lower-level of the Col. Darwin W. Marmaduke House at  700 E Capitol Ave, in Jefferson City . Admission is $2 or free with purchase of a prison tour. Open Monday through Friday, 10am to 4pm, and Saturdays, 10am to 3pm.

Jefferson City Prison Tours

115 Lafayette Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101

Tour season runs from March to November. No children under 10 permitted. Tours are not wheelchair accessible. Still photography is allowed but no video. No smoking. Reservations are required for all tours. Special and group tours may be arranged. Visit  www.missouripentours.com  to learn more. You can also follow the Missouri State Penitentiary on  Facebook .

Missouri Lodging

Touring the State Pen sounds like a great time – but you don’t want a room there! For your best answer  to a good night’s sleep, try a Missouri bed and breakfast! You’ll net unbelievably comfie accommodations,  nutritious breakfasts, an insider’s info on the area, and a host of luxurious amenities on top. Why wait?  Find your perfect Missouri inn  today!

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State hopes to make Missouri State Penitentiary a ‘world-class tourist destination’

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri Office of Administration says it wants to make the Missouri State Penitentiary a "world-class tourist destination" if funding gets approved by the Senate.

According to the state's master plan, the project would include preserving the core buildings of the MSP for a historic district which would preserve the site, support tourism and educate the public about the prison's history.

The plan, released this spring, says, "The 500 ft. by 500 ft. site will preserve the most architecturally significant structures and create a walled-in prison feeling based on the scale of earlier iterations of the site."

The changes would include relocating the gas chamber from city property to state property, demolishing and repurposing part of the prison walls to create a symbolic wall feature and recreating a walled-in prison experience for tourists.

While the Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau has been hosting tour groups at the site since 2009, the master plan said these changes would enhance the guest experience. It said tours would include interactive technology, exhibits, a signature film, a museum store, concessions and the opportunity for self-guided tours.

Housing Unit 1, the current entrance to the MSP, will remain as the destination entrance. Upgrades will allow it to also house the museum, store and media experience. Modifications will also allow it to be ADA-compliant and heating and cooling will make the site usable throughout the entire year.

Other potential renovations for tourism include an event/group experience opportunity in Housing Unit 4.

The target opening date for these renovations is spring 2026, which would be the MSP's 190th anniversary.

The proposed timeline includes:

• 2024 - creating construction documents and planning the museum and tours
• 2025 - begin initial historic restorations and general construction
• 2026 - target opening and continue historic restorations
• 2027- finish historic restorations

The cost estimate is over $93 million.

The project will be done in two phases, with Phase 1 costing over $52 million and Phase 2 costing almost $41 million. The most expensive part of the project will include historic preservations to Housing Unit 1, the main entrance to the site.

Office of Administration spokesperson Chris Moreland said this week the state budget for Fiscal Year 2025 includes $15 million from the Facilities Maintenance Reserve Fund for remediation at MSP, but said additional changes could still be made on the Senate floor.

The state budget is due to the governor May 10.

Moreland said the $15 million could still allow the state to:

• Further develop the site
• Relocate the gas chamber to state property
• Relocate prison walls and guard towers to state property
• Make repairs to Housing Units 1, 3 and 4
• Demolish Housing Unit 5

In 2023, the MSP had 29,059 visitors and generated $888,962 in revenue. The master plan estimates visitors could increase to around 150,000 people per year after renovations are made.

Alexandra Bobbitt with the Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau, which would continue guiding the tours at the site, said they support whatever changes will help preserve the MSP.

"We would love to see this place preserved for many years to come," Bobbitt said. "So, we are in support of a plan that will get us there to keep this tradition, these tours, alive for people all over to experience."

While Bobbitt said the MSP has visitors from all over the country and internationally, the Office of Administration study found the target market for tourists is those within a three-hour drive of the site, which includes over 7 million people.

"We have a lot of return visitors and I think their curiosity will be piqued again to see what we've done with the property, so I think it'd be very beneficial for our tours," Bobbitt said.

The Office of Administration worked with PGAV Destinations, a planning and design firm out of St. Louis, to create the master plan. It looked at market potential, site conditions and content research.

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Entries on This Tour

The Herman Haar house, built in 1859 by Prussian native Herman Haar, is one of the few surviving antebellum Missouri-German dwellings in Jefferson City. In 1986, local citizens worked with city officials to preserve the home by moving it a short distance in order to save it from demolition during an urban renewal project. The German vernacular design, noted for its brick exterior, speaks to the abundance of German immigrants that settled in Jefferson City during the nineteenth century. 

The William Porth House was built of a local limestone called "cotton rock" sometime in the mid to late 1820s. The house is named after a man who moved to town in 1842 and became a judge. Upon his death in 1888, his son, Dr. Joseph P. Porth inherited the house and resided here with his family. Dr. Porth ran his medical practice from the walkout basement; Joseph was elected Mayor of Jefferson City in 1903 and was president of the Cole County Medical Association. The house passed out of the family's hands in 1923 and became a restaurant for decades. The building now house the corporate offices of the Architects Alliance.

The Missouri State Archives are located two blocks west of the State Capitol Building on West Main Street. The Archives are situated within the James C. Kirkpatrick State Information Center, across the street from the historic William Porth House (also a Clio entry). The Archives houses over 336 million pages of paper, so you're sure to find something of interest! Thousands of historical maps, census records, county records, photographs, and military records of Missourians are housed here. The Archives are open for in-person research and offer tours for schoolchildren with advance notice.There are lots of resources available through their digital collection online, too.

Built from 1913 to 1917, the Missouri State Capitol is located Jefferson City and is the seat of the state government. It is the state's third capitol building. Like other state capitol buildings, it was designed in the Classical Revival style. Its most prominent feature, the dome, rises 262 feet from the basement floor. The building houses the Missouri State History Museum, which is operated by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. The capitol was entered into the National Register of Historic Places in 1969.

The Missouri State Museum is located in the Missouri State Capitol. There are two galleries on the main floor that provide exhibits portraying the state's natural and cultural history. Museum staff provide tours of the Capitol and also manage Jefferson Landing State Historic Site, including the Elizabeth Rozier Gallery. The museum is operated by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources/Missouri State Parks.

Missouri women quickly organized to advocate for suffrage, utilizing their networks from previous reform and war aid work. The Woman Suffrage Association of Missouri formed in 1867, one of the earliest such organizations in the United States. Missouri women asked the state legislature for a suffrage amendment eighteen times between 1867 and 1901 with no success. In 1868 the 14th Amendment was ratified to the Constitution and Missouri suffrage leaders argued that the 14th Amendment protected a women’s right to the vote. Virginia Minor and her husband Frank advocated for a strategy where women showed up to polling places and asked to register for the vote. After Virginia Minor was turned away from the St. Louis County Courthouse in 1872, the Minors sued the city registrar, Reese Happersett, in a case that advanced to the U.S. Supreme Court. In the case Minor v. Happersett (1874) the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution did not grant suffrage to anyone and reaffirmed that it was the power of the states to decide who could vote. In the 1910s Missouri women continued to push for suffrage and in March 1919 the state passed legislation allowing women to vote only in presidential elections. A few months later Missouri was the 11th state to ratify the 19th Amendment on July 3, 1919. 

Located just down the street from the state capitol building, this monument commemorates the Lewis and Clark Expedition, which passed what is now Jefferson City on June 4, 1804. It consists of five bronze statues depicting expedition leaders Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, Lewis' Newfoundland dog Seaman, Clark's African-American slave York, and George Drouillard, who was an interpreter, hunter and trapper. The monument is part of a plaza featuring interpretive panels describing the expedition and the Jefferson City Greenway, which is a multi-use trail that runs throughout the city.

The Jefferson Landing Historic Site is an historic area located in Jefferson City, Missouri, situated just east of the state capitol building. It is comprised of two historic structures: the Lohman Building, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1969, and the Union Hotel. The Lohman Building has been restored as an 1850s general store and warehouse. A film about the history of Jefferson City is also shown there. The Union Hotel houses the Elizabeth Rozier Gallery, which presents rotating exhibits about Missouri history, art and culture. Admission to the site and both buildings is free.

Initially known as Jefferson's Landing Building for its first two decades of existence, Lohman's Landing Building first served the community during the pre-railroad era, and then when railroads and steamboat traffic worked in tandem. The Landing Building handled the supplies and served the persons entering the city via the Missouri River, which acted as a superhighway into Jefferson City before the railroad arrived. The historic commercial building is located within the Jefferson Landing State Historic Site, a state-owned historic district that also includes the Christopher Maus House and the Union Hotel, built by Christopher's brother, Charles Maus. Charles F. Lohman and the Maus brothers came to Jefferson City from Prussia at a time when millions of Germans immigrated to the U.S., including to Jefferson City. 

Built in 1871, the Missouri Governor's Mansion is located near the state capitol in Jefferson City, Missouri. The first governor to take up residence there was Benjamin Gratz Brown (in office from January 1871-January 1873). It was designed by English native George Ingham Barnett in the Second Empire style, which was popular at the time. The style is distinguished by the use of a steep roof, which allows for another living space on the top floor. The home was entered into the National Register of Historic Places in 1969.

The Cole County Historical Society is a local, non-profit organization in Jefferson City, Missouri dedicated towards educating the public about the county's history through the collection and preservation of historical artifacts and other materials. The society operates a museum, housed in the Benjamin Gratz Brown House. Docents provide tours from Tuesday to Saturday, 1 to 3 pm. Admission charges are $3 pre person, with discounts for age 55+ and schoolchildren. Ages five and under, as well as Historical society members, get admitted at no cost. Brown was elected the twentieth Governor of Missouri in 1870. He had these triple rowhouses constructed around 1871 on his wife's family's lot. One was used for housing while a new Governor's Mansion was being built, and then as a home for his mother-in-law and sister-in-law. The Benjamin Gratz Brown House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1969.

The Cole County Courthouse in Jefferson City was built in the Romanesque Revival style, a popular form for Missouri courthouse buildings in the late nineteenth century. The structure was built as the third courthouse for the county, and the second in Jefferson City, after the county seat was moved here from Marion in the 1830s. The massive stone courthouse with a county jail was completed in 1897. The building was gutted by a fire in March 1918 that started in the central clock tower; the corner pavilions collapsed due to the damage. The first floor and basement remained intact, but new stone was required to rebuild the second story and higher. Rebuilding began in October 1918 by Louis Schell. Don't miss the bicentennial events the county has planned for 2020 - see below for info on whiskey and beer being made just for the occasion.

Constructed in 1883, Temple Beth El is the oldest synagogue still used west of the Mississippi River and the 14th oldest in the country. It is a simple one-story structure located in the heart of downtown Jefferson City. It is a Reform congregation and as such belongs to the Union of Reform Judaism. According to official records, Jews had been living in the city since at least 1865. In 1879, a few of the men formed the Jefferson City Hebrew Cemetery Association to create a place for burial and also established the congregation that year. In 1882, some women of the Hebrew Ladies Sewing Society donated money to buy a plot of land with the purpose of building the temple. These women are honored in a plaque that is on display in the temple.

Now home to the Cole County Assessor, the former Carnegie Library remains a landmark structure in Jefferson City. The library was built in 1902 and like 2508 other libraries across the United States, it was named in honor of Andrew Carnegie as his matching grant supplied half of the funds needed to construct the building. Over the next seven decades, the building not only served as a library but also as an entertainment and civic venue. The reading room and books were located on the first floor (the children's section was in the basement) and an auditorium was located on the second. A fine example of Classical architecture, the library was designed by local architecture firm Miller & Opel.

Ivy Terrace is a Queen Anne style historic home built in 1893, that was the home of Governor Lawrence V. ("Lon") Stevens. Stevens was the State Treasurer when he had the house constructed. The huge Victorian home has about six bedrooms and seven baths and offers nearly 6,000 square feet of living space. As part of its mission to fight blight in urban Jefferson City, Ivy Terrace and five other nearby historic homes nearby (dating from 1875 to 1920) were acquired in 2019 by the Jefferson City Housing Authority and offered for redevelopment. The house was slightly damaged in a tornado that struck the town recently. Dozens of potential buyers viewed the Ivy Terrace home during open houses, and a redevelopment plan was accepted in February 2020, with details to be announced.

The James A. Houchins House is a Jefferson City Landmark. Houchin dominated Missouri's burgeoning saddle horse breeding industry during the first two decades of the twentieth century. Just as wealthy industrialists routinely own expensive cars today, industrialists like Houchin invested and showcased their horse collections prior to the late 1910s. James also made money in other business ventures and proved politically influential in the Democratic Party. The Houchin family's house, and the lavish parties they hosted, speak to the family's prominence during the pre-automobile era. 

One of the city's leading figures of the early 20th century, Lester S. Parker, and his wife, Missouri "Zue" Parker, bought this elegant historic home in 1905 upon its completion. Parker was a successful businessman and is known for establishing the L.S. Parker Shoe Company. He also served as the state's first superintendent of industries at the state penitentiary across the street, and was a member of the Capitol Decoration Commission in the 1920s, which was tasked with collecting artwork for the capitol building. The house is also a fine example of Classical Revival architecture. It features a full-height porch with Ionic columns and a pediment, a balconet, a fanlight and tracery surrounding main entrance, and arched window openings with keystones and circular panels. It appears to be be an apartment building today. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.

The Missouri State Penitentiary is a former prison located in Jefferson City. It was in operation from 1836-2004 and as such was the oldest prison still in use in the state until it closed. Over time, buildings were added to the 47 acre site; the Warden's House, built in 1868, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The prison housed several high profile inmates such as James Earl Ray, the man who assassinated Martin Luther King in 1968. At its peak, the prison housed 5,200 inmates. It is open for tours and operates a museum located the corner of High and Jefferson streets.

This Tour is a Walking Tour .

Jefferson City along the Missouri River Walking Tour

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Description

This tour starts at a pair of historic homes and the Missouri State Archives and includes numerous landmarks including monuments and historic houses, the State Capitol, several museums, a temple, a courthouse and the state penitentiary. Stop for a milkshake at an old-time soda fountain in a drugstore, explore numerous historic buildings, and enjoy a relatively short walk which was designed to follow the Missouri River.