Facts below are drawn from the linked sources.
Approximate area. The map shows only a rough area for this place, not an exact location.
Real history
The prison opened in 1875 as a territorial and later federal penitentiary. Robert Stroud, the "Birdman of Alcatraz", was held here from 1909 to 1912 (Washington State Department of Corrections), and Gordon Hirabayashi was among Japanese American draft resisters imprisoned here during World War II. The state took over in 1981 and closed the prison in 2011 (Wikipedia).
Ghost stories
We found no well-sourced ghost legends for this place. It is listed for its abandoned history.
Then and now
Public access
Restricted McNeil Island holds an active state confinement facility, per Washington DSHS. There is no public access. Last checked: Oct 31, 2026.
Explore more
- More places in McNeil Island and Washington
- More haunted & abandoned prisons
- Nearby: Thornewood Castle (Lakewood, WA), Old City Hall (Tacoma, WA), Georgetown Steam Plant (Seattle, WA), Comet Lodge Cemetery (Seattle, WA)
⚠️ Please read: This information may be outdated and conditions change. Verify access with the owner or operator before you go. Spook Atlas does not encourage trespassing. Entering private, closed or condemned property can be illegal and dangerous. Report a correction.
Reader experiences
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