Alton Military Prison

Alton Prison as it appeared during the Civil War by Thomas Long

Alton penitentiary located across the Mississippi River from St. Louis Missouri was built in 1830-1831. By 1833 the doors of the prison were opened to convicted criminals. However, it was built too near the river in an undrained and ungraded area. The prison came under criticism by concerned citizens. So, an investigation was ordered. The result was the new prison at Alton was closed in 1860. All the prisoners were moved to a new facility in Joliet just south of Chicago.

On April 12, 1861, the American Civil War broke out between the northern states and the south. The fighting between the two sides grew fierce. By late 1861 an urgent need arose to relieve the overcrowding union prisons in St. Louis. As a remedy, Alton prison was reopened after some repairs by February 1862. It took only three days for the prison to become overcrowded.

Join us on Tuesday on our podcast to hear all about the history of Alton prison during the American Civil War.

Thank you for reading.

Jenny R. Findsen

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