Iowa State Penitentiary, Fort Madison, Iowa, US
The Iowa State Penitentiary is a prison in Fort Madison built on 55 acres of hillside with 29 buildings surrounded by large limestone walls. The complex features guard towers and sits near the Mississippi River, visible when crossing from Illinois.
The prison opened in 1839 before Iowa became a state and operated for nearly two centuries. It evolved from a simple territorial facility into a large complex, playing a role in a 1981 uprising and several notable escapes that eventually led to building a new facility.
This prison shaped Fort Madison's identity for nearly two centuries and remains woven into the community's memory. Local residents are working to preserve parts of its history, recognizing the stories of both inmates and staff who lived within these walls.
The site is located about two miles south of the new prison facility and near a large bridge crossing the Mississippi. Many of the old buildings are in poor condition with weather damage, so checking current access information ahead of time is important before planning a visit.
A runner named Robert Poindexter gained fame in 1960 by running a mile in four minutes while serving his sentence inside. His remarkable athletic achievement shows that people can accomplish extraordinary things even under prison conditions.
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