Facts below are drawn from the linked sources.
Real history
The penitentiary was established in 1839, seven years before Iowa became a state. It was shut down in 2015 after 176 years per the state (Iowa Department of Corrections), when all inmates moved to the new Iowa State Penitentiary about a mile away (Wikipedia). Its wall is 30 feet high and more than three feet thick at the base (Visit Fort Madison).
Ghost stories
We found no well-sourced ghost legends for this place. It is listed for its abandoned history.
Then and now
No openly licensed photo found yet.
Public access
Closed to the public Visit Fort Madison says there are no plans at this time to tour the vacant prison because of safety issues (Visit Fort Madison). Last checked: Nov 1, 2026.
Explore more
- More places in Fort Madison and Iowa
- More haunted & abandoned prisons
- Nearby: Black Angel, Oakland Cemetery (Iowa City, IA), Peoria State Hospital (Bartonville, IL), Buxton (Lovilia, IA), Edinburgh Manor (Scotch Grove, IA)
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Reader experiences
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