Shane and I went out that way this weekend because our son was spontaneously with his grandma for a few hours and it was awesome! This place was supposed to be haunted and was just a short trip to the other side of Boise. The penitentiary was home to some classic western America criminals and throughout the century of its operation, was the last place 100+ people were alive.
When we got there, it was opposite the botanical gardens which also contained the penitentiary cemetery. A lot of flowers, how delightful!
The cells themselves were all unique and appeared to be ruins with previously pastel colored walls. They easily could be mistaken for sets from a Wes Anderson film.
When you look from afar, the blues and pinks and orange peeling from the cell walls was heavily contrasted with the typical prison bars and monochromatic, dirty penitentiary hallways.
A part of me is busy thinking about the novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest that I read as a high schooler. This is where that story took place, all across America. Places like this. 110 individuals died here. Some of old age and other natural causes. Many others died in the gallows, sentences to death here in Boise, Idaho.
No ghosts, but plenty of style. This was a neat spot to visit if you are ever in the Boise, Idaho area. It’s also right across the street from a beautiful botanical garden. Make sure to bring a small bottle of water, the penitentiary can be very hot in the summer.
