Archives West Finding Aid

McNeil Island Penitentiary was named after William Henry McNeill, captain of the Hudson Bay Company steamers 'Beaver,' 'Lama,' and 'Una.' It was established on January 22, 1867 by Congress as a territorial jail in the Washington Territory. On September 17, 1870, the Federal Government purchased 27.27 acres on McNeil Island for a federal prison, which officially opened in 1875. The original McNeil Island cellhouse was built in 1873. In 1904, Attorney General Philander C. Knox was placed in full charge of the jail and McNeil Island was immediately declared an official United States prison. In 1927, an additional 67 acres were purchased for a prison farm to produce vegetables and fruit. Due to the need for water, another 1,618.33 acres were purchased in 1931. In 1934 the Federal Farm Camp (North Complex) was completed. At one time, the island provided for itself by raising vegetables, fruit, pork, beef, and milk. In 1944, Butterworth Lake was formed. In 1948, construction began on the community center and school. McNeil Island Penitentiary was closed in April 2011.