Marquette Branch Prison

Marquette Branch Prison is a correctional facility located on the south shore of Lake Superior in Michigan with both maximum and minimum security housing for adult male inmates. The compound includes multiple residential units and features guard towers, perimeter fencing, and surveillance systems throughout the grounds.

The prison was established in 1889 to relieve overcrowding in southern Michigan as the Upper Peninsula's population grew. This new facility became part of the state's expansion of its correctional system during that era.

The facility offers educational and job training programs that help inmates prepare for life after release. These programs shape much of the daily routine inside the walls.

Visiting the facility requires advance planning since it is an active correctional institution with strict access procedures. Information about tour availability and restrictions should be obtained beforehand, as not all areas are open to the public.

The administration building features Richardsonian Romanesque architecture constructed from locally quarried sandstone, a design that earned it a place on the National Register of Historic Places. This distinctive structure remains a notable visual element of the complex and showcases the craftsmanship of its construction.