Wyoming is a strange place, and it doesn’t have the best reputation. Most people don’t think of pristine Rocky Mountains when they hear the word Wyoming. But honestly, some of the most fascinating places in the Rockies are in Wyoming: Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Bighorn National Forest, just to name a few.
That said, a lot of Wyoming feels eerie and liminal. Driving through the eastern half of the state can cause anxiety purely because of how barren it is. The landscape seems to stretch on forever, with minimal signs of civilization. It makes sense that some notably haunted places exist in Wyoming. One small town, Rawlins, is home to a prison said to be very haunted. This recommendation came from several people while I was doing haunted tours in Denver.
Tough Times for Inmates at The Wyoming Frontier Prison
The Wyoming Frontier Prison opened in 1901. It had no running water, no electricity, and essentially no heating. Almost immediately, it became overcrowded. Over the years, several additions and updates were made to accommodate the growing prison population. As you can imagine, a prison operating in Wyoming for much of the 20th century wasn’t exactly a friendly place. Prisoners were kept in solitary confinement and were regularly beaten with rubber hoses.
During the 80 years the prison operated, 14 inmates were executed. In total, around 250 people died within the prison walls. Most deaths were from natural causes, but also from suicides and murders. All of that has left behind a lot of bad energy.
The one Tourists Stop in Rawlins Wyoming
I took the standard tour, which is a historical walkthrough highlighting the prison’s past. Honestly, it’s one of the only tourist activities in Rawlins, Wyoming. I’ve seen things online suggesting that actual ghost hunts can be booked. However, there’s nothing about that on the Wyoming Frontier Prison’s official website.
The tour itself is solid, and the old prison is genuinely creepy. I brought my EMF meter with me, and at certain points guests were allowed to wander around a bit. It wasn’t a full investigation, though. When I asked the tour guide if the prison was haunted, he replied, “officially, yes.” By that, he meant there had been formal paranormal investigations that concluded the Wyoming Frontier Prison is, in fact, haunted.
Wyoming Style Execution
Some parts of the tour are especially morbid. As a frontier state, Wyoming used hangings to execute some prisoners. The prison used a device called The Julian Gallows. They believed that having a person pull a lever to drop the floor from under a prisoner would weigh too heavily on their conscience. Instead, they resorted an automated system using water and counterweights. Water would slowly drain from one barrel into another until it became heavy enough for gravity to pull the lever.
Imagine how unsettling that must have been for the person about to be executed, hearing only the slow trickle of water with no idea when the floor would drop. The tour begins with a scale model demonstration using a doll. I bet that doll is haunted, am I right? We then saw two of the actual devices that had been used to execute prisoners.
Heavy Energy and Liminal Vibes
After hangings were deemed unethical in Wyoming, gas chambers became the norm. I honestly don’t know which would be worse, but the gas chamber had noticeably heavier energy. There are many reports of cold spots and shadow figures near the gas chamber door. Some guests even report hearing coughing or heavy breathing.
One of the creepiest areas is the shower room. It’s extremely dark and has a very Silent Hill like aesthetic. Many guests report hearing sobbing coming from the same corner of the room, along with sudden drops in temperature.
Maximum Security, Maximum Hauntings
The most haunted area is said to be Cell Block 2. This was the maximum security cell block and housed the most heinous offenders. Guests report feelings of dread and hearing whispers. There have also been reports of footsteps on the upper level, which is currently blocked off. Paranormal investigators have captured the most EVPs in this area.
The Story of The Pie Lady
At the end of the tour, the guide tells the story of what’s known as the Pie Lady. A woman living in Rawlins would regularly bake pies and bring them to the prisoners. She was beloved by the inmates. One prisoner eventually escaped, and the first thing he did was track her down and murder her. I don’t know his motive, maybe she never made his favorite pie.
He was arrested and returned to the prison. When the other inmates learned what he had done, they started a riot. They dragged him from his cell, took him to the third level of the cell block, tied a rope around his neck, and threw him over the railing. When that didn’t kill him, they did it again. The second time, he died.
The area where he was killed is said to have significant paranormal activity. Interestingly, it’s attributed to the Pie Lady herself. Some people claim to smell baked goods there. Maybe she’s just messing with the man who killed her.
Is The Wyoming Frontier Prison Worth it?
So, would I recommend this tour? If you ever find yourself in Rawlins, Wyoming, what else are you going to do? Seriously though, it was genuinely fun. If you enjoy weird, creepy places, the Wyoming Frontier Prison is worth visiting. Like I said earlier, It has the look and feel of a Silent Hill set. The building is maintained, so it’s not dangerous, but the atmosphere is deeply liminal. And if you’ve read any of my other blogs, you know I love a liminal space.
Happy hunting.
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