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Photographs of McNeil Island Penitentiary, circa 1940s
Overview of the Collection
- Title
- Photographs of McNeil Island Penitentiary
- Dates
- circa 1940s (inclusive)19401949
- Quantity
- 9 photographic prints (1 folder) ; 8x10
- Collection Number
- PH1304
- Summary
- Photographs of McNeill Island Penitentiary buildings and farm
- Repository
-
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Entire collection can be viewed on the Libraries’ Digital Collections website. Permission of Visual Materials Curator required to view originals. Contact Special Collections for more information.
- Additional Reference Guides
- Languages
- English
Historical BackgroundReturn to Top
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.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
Photographs of McNeil Island Penitentiary including the main buildings, the farm, Still Harbor, and the water supply.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
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Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Folder | item | ||
1 | 1 | Aerial view of the main buildings with Still Harbor in background | circa 1940s |
1 | 2 | View from east of main buildings | circa 1940s |
1 | 3 | View from southwest of main buildings | circa 1940s |
1 | 4 | View from northwest of main buildings | circa 1940s |
1 | 5 | Aerial view of main farm buildings and farm | circa 1940s |
1 | 6 | View from southeast of main farm buildings | circa 1940s |
1 | 7 | Main entrance of farm dormitory | circa 1940s |
1 | 8 | Aerial view of Still Harbor and dock | circa 1940s |
1 | 9 | Aerial view of main water supply at Eden Creek and Butterworth Dam | circa 1940s |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Form or Genre Terms
- Photographic prints
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)