A drive or a hike through Missouri showcases so much of what makes our home state so beautiful. It also gives us a glimpse into the past. After all, there is no shortage of abandoned buildings, some with well-known histories and others steeped in mystery. If you happen to drive on the highway passing Jefferson City, you’ll likely catch sight of this abandoned prison in Missouri.
While you can’t explore what remains of Renz Penitentiary (doing so is trespassing), you can catch a glimpse of it from the road. Its withered remnants spark the imagination.
You Tube/Lofi Urbex
Renz Penitentiary in Jefferson City originally opened in 1926, housing upwards of 500 inmates at a time. Because the prison sat on fertile land, it was used for farming.
You Tube/Lofi Urbex
The prisoners spent much of their time outdoors, growing gardens full of fresh produce and raising chickens. Renz seldom made headlines, except when a prisoner attempted an escape. Those, however, were said to be few and far between.
You Tube/Lofi Urbex
In 1976, five decades after the prison had opened its doors, it became a co-ed institution, housing both men and women, although men far outnumbered women. Just over a decade later, in 1990, the prison would become a women’s facility.
You Tube/Lofi Urbex
Little did anyone know at that time that the prison’s end was rapidly approaching. It, after all, sat on a flood plain, and in just a few years, it would sit directly in the path of “The Great Flood of 1993.”
You Tube/Lofi Urbex
As the Missouri River swelled, the inmates were evacuated, and transferred to nearby facilities. The facility sustained significant damage, bringing an end to its long story.
You Tube/Lofi Urbex
Today, the area is said to be used for training for either law enforcement or the military. No trespassing signs warn curiosity seekers from exploring the grounds.
You Tube/Lofi Urbex
However, some have scored the chance to visit, including YouTube user, Lofi Urbex, who shared footage of this abandoned Missouri prison.
You Tube/Lofi Urbex
You Tube/Lofi Urbex
What did you think of the footage of this abandoned prison in Missouri? Let us know in the comments! If you’re a fan of eeriness, find out why this is the most haunted city in Missouri.
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Address: Jefferson City, MO, USA
