Denver Public Library Western History/Genealogy Digital Collections

- Canon city and prison
- View of a commercial street in Canon City (Fremont County), Colorado. Shows stone buildings with false fronts, houses, possibly a church, and the Territorial Prison (later the Colorado State Penitentiary) in the distance. Signs read: "Hardware...
- Canon City (Colo.)--1870-1880.; Commercial facilities--Colorado--Canon City--1870-1880.; Commercial streets--Colorado--Canon City--1870-1880.; Covered wagons--Colorado--Canon City--1870-1880.; Prisons--Colorado--Canon City--1870-1880.
- [between 1871 and 1874?]
- Bird in a gilded cage
- Holding a parakeet on her finger, this female inmate at the State Penitentiary in Canon City, Colorado, aims a kiss at its beak. A potted philodendron and toothbrush are on the interior sill; bars and screen block the window.
- Canon City (Colo.)--1950-1960.; Prisoners--Colorado--Canon City--1950-1960.; Women--Colorado--Canon City--1950-1960.; Colorado State Penitentiary.
- 1959
- Women's crew for new prison hired by Patterson
- Female prison guards at the State Penitentiary in Canon City, Colorado, pose in topcoats with prison insignia patches on their shoulders. They wear a variety of shoes, and behind them are metal doors and walls.
- Canon City (Colo.)--1950-1960.; Prison guards--Colorado--Canon City--1950-1960.; Women--Colorado--Canon City--1950-1960.; Colorado State Penitentiary.
- [between 1950 and 1960?]
- Colorado prison break
- Laying inside of a soft top truck after his 1947 escape and recapture from the State Penitentiary in Canon City, John Smalley is flanked by crouching men in winter coats. The interior dashboard has "Willy's" embossed in the center over gauges.
- Canon City (Colo.)--1940-1950.; Prison escapes--Colorado--Canon City--1940-1950.; Smalley, John.; Colorado State Penitentiary.
- 1948
- Prison workers
- Prison guards at the Colorado State Penitentiary pose for a group portrait in front a rusticated stone building with windows covered by iron bars. The men wear dark uniforms with double breasted coats, vests, ties, boots and caps. Some of the caps...
- Colorado State Penitentiary--People--1880-1900.; Canon City (Colo.)--1880-1900.; Prison guards--Colorado--Canon City--1880-1900.
- [between 1880 and 1900?]
- Prison officers
- Prison guards at the Colorado State Penitentiary pose for a group portrait in front a rusticated stone wall and barred window of a prison building. The men wear dark uniforms with caps. Some of the caps have lettering: "C.S.P.," "Turnkey,"...
- Colorado State Penitentiary--People--1880-1900.; Canon City (Colo.)--1880-1900.; Prison guards--Colorado--Canon City--1880-1900.
- [between 1880 and 1900?]
- Scott Brady "Canon City" movie premiere
- Scott Brady, handcuffed to Colorado State Prison warden Roy Best, poses near stairs to an airplane at Stapleton Airport in Denver, Colorado. Women in prison uniforms pose beside him. They wears sashes that read: "Welcome Scott Brady, Star of Canon...
- Prison wardens--Colorado--Denver--1940-1950.; Denver (Colo.)--1940-1950.; Actors--Colorado--Denver--1940-1950.; Handcuffs--Colorado--Denver--1940-1950.; Prison uniforms--Colorado--Denver--1940-1950.; Publicity--Colorado--Denver--1940-1950.;...
- 1948 July
- Canon City posse
- A group of unidentified men with rifles, one in uniform and one with a sheriff's badge, pose in front of a prison cell at the Colorado State Penitentiary in Canon City, Colorado, probably during the October 3, 1929 prison break. Signs read:...
- Colorado State Penitentiary--1920-1930.; Canon City (Colo.)--1920-1930.; Prison guards--Colorado--Canon City--1920-1930.; Prisons--Colorado--Canon City--1920-1930.; Sheriffs--Colorado--Canon City--1920-1930.
- [October, 1929]
- Penitentiary riot 1929
- Smoke billows from the State Penitentiary, in Canon City, Colorado. This aerial view shows the prison complex, the Arkansas River, and the west part of town. Trees line River Street, and the park between the river and the prison has a round...
- Canon City (Colo.)--1920-1930.; Prison riots--Colorado--Canon City--1920-1930.; Prisons--Colorado--Canon City--1920-1930.; Colorado State Penitentiary.
- 1929
- Colorado Penitentiary escapes
- John H. Prather, uniformed guard at the State Penitentiary in Canon City, Colorado, looks at a dump truck on an embankment below; barrels, trash, and a prison fence are beyond. Lettering on the door reads: "328 Prison."
- Canon City (Colo.)--1930-1950.; Prison escapes--Colorado--Canon City--1930-1950.
- [between 1930 and 1945?]
- Colorado Penitentiary escapes
- Earl L. Budd, uniformed guard at the State Penitentiary in Canon City, Colorado, has his hand on the stone below a hole. An embroidered patch on his arm reads: "Colorado State Prison."
- Canon City (Colo.)--1960-1970.; Prison guards--Colorado--Canon City--1960-1970.
- 1965
- Pressing the search for James Sherbondy
- Responding to an escape from the State Penitentiary, in Canon City, Colorado, these soldiers carry rifles (one with a telescopic sight.) They wear helmets, double breasted trenchcoats, or fur lined jackets. One crouches over a pile of sticks; snow...
- Canon City (Colo.)--1940-1950.; Prison escapes--Colorado--Canon City--1940-1950.
- 1947
- Riot aftermath
- Blood soaks the interior floor of cell house #3 at the State Penitentiary in Canon City, Colorado. Open, barred cell doors are topped by a bracketed, metal balcony. A lever on the wall is for locking the entire row. This is where the mutineers...
- Canon City (Colo.)--1920-1930.; Interiors.; Prison riots--Colorado--Canon City--1920-1930.; Colorado State Penitentiary.
- 1929
- Colorado State Penitentiary convicts at work on the foundation of the new cellhouse
- Construction at the State Penitentiary in Canon City, Colorado, consists of workmen, a hole in the ground, lumber, a shed and a tent. Stone prison walls, cell blocks and a guard tower are in the background; a wheelbarrow is in the foreground.
- Canon City (Colo.)--1930-1940.; Construction--Colorado--Canon City--1930-1940.; Prison laborers--Colorado--Canon City--1930-1940.; Prisons--Colorado--Canon City--1930-1940.; Colorado State Penitentiary.
- 1930
- Canon City movie premiere
- Men, probably ushers, pose by a movie poster in Denver, Colorado; lettering reads: "Canon City, Gripping Story of the Sensational Prison Break." The men wear prison uniforms with convict numbers, they have ribbons pinned to their shirts that read:...
- Denver (Colo.)--1940-1950.; Motion picture premieres--Colorado--Denver--1940-1950.; Prison uniforms--Colorado--Denver--1940-1950.; Publicity--Colorado--Denver--1940-1950.; Ushers--Colorado--Denver--1940-1950.
- 1948 July
- Penitentiary riot 1929
- This aerial view looking east at the State Penitentiary in Canon City, Colorado, shows the prison complex with the Administration Building, its extensions, and the tag shop gutted by fire. Inmates are in the sunken yard fronting the damaged...
- Canon City (Colo.)--1920-1930.; Prisons--Colorado--Canon City--1920-1930.; Colorado State Penitentiary.
- 1929
- Cells, stripes
- Prison cell bars fill this interior view of the State Penitentiary in Canon City, Colorado. An opening for food trays frames the feet of a sleeping inmate, wearing socks and pinstriped pants. A patterned blanket covers part of the wall behind him,...
- Canon City (Colo.)--1930-1940.; Cells--Colorado--Canon City--1930-1940.; Prisons--Colorado--Canon City--1930-1940.; Colorado State Penitentiary.
- 1937
- Jail at Canon City
- Stone buildings of the State Prison in Canon City, Colorado are three stories with low gabled roofs and chimneys. Frame or brick structures and a smokestack comprise the rest of the complex, which is enclosed by a stone wall with square towers. In...
- Canon City (Colo.)--1880-1890.; Prisons--Colorado--Canon City--1880-1890.; Colorado State Penitentiary.
- [between 1883 and 1886?]
- C. S. P. gardens
- Fields of crops at the State Penitentiary farm in Canon City, Colorado, are flanked by roads; the stone garden house and outbuildings are at the end. Rock walls and a wooden gate form an enclosure in the foreground, with a hay feeder and loading...
- Canon City (Colo.)--1930-1940.; Farms--Colorado--Canon City--1930-1940.; Prisons--Colorado--Canon City--1930-1940.; Colorado State Penitentiary.
- 1934
- The dairy and hog barns with the hogback in the background
- Two-story stone barns at the State Penitentiary in Canon City, Colorado, have a shingle, hipped gable roof, brick chimneys, and adjoining silos with conical roofs and elevators. Iron "S" brackets line the brick wing, and rock walls and wooden gates...
- Canon City (Colo.)--1900-1910.; Barns--Colorado--Canon City--1900-1910.; Prisons--Colorado--Canon City--1900-1910.; Colorado State Penitentiary.
- 1900?
- Colorado State Penitentiary view of the proposed recreation ground
- Men work among piled rock and wood frames at the State Penitentiary in Canon City, Colorado. Wheelbarrows, a big wood toolbox, a tent and a rock embankment dot the area. The prison wall, East gate, guard tower and bare trees are in the background.
- Canon City (Colo.)--1930-1940.; Construction--Colorado--Canon City--1930-1940.; Prisons--Colorado--Canon City--1930-1940.; Colorado State Penitentiary.
- [between 1930 and 1940?]
- 1st bldg.
- View of the Territorial Prison (later the Colorado State Penitentiary) building in Canon City (Fremont County), Colorado. Shows a two story stone building with a mansard roof, chimneys, and dormers.
- Colorado State Penitentiary--Buildings--1860-1870.; Canon City (Colo.)--1860-1870.; Prisons--Colorado--Canon City (Colo.)--1860-1870.; Stone buildings--Colorado--Canon City--1860-1870.
- 1869
- Western History Subject Index
- COLORADO. PENITENTIARY. Canon city
- Western History Subject Index
- Colorado. Penitentiary. Canon City. Women's
- Colorado Penitentiary escapes
- Tools used in a prison break from the State Penitentiary in Canon City, Colorado, include hacksaw blades, drill brace and bits, pliers, a screwdriver, putty knife, batteries, string, wire, and tape. In a Fedora, tweed jacket and tie, associate...
- Prison wardens--Colorado--Canon City--1960-1970.; Canon City (Colo.)--1960-1970.; Prison escapes--Colorado--Canon City--1960-1970.
- 1962
- Outside west gate
- Shouldering rifles, officials and uniformed guards consort outside the west gate of the prison during the 1929 insurrection at the State Penitentiary in Canon City, Colorado. A man holds a bloody piece of fabric; others stand by the one-story,...
- Canon City (Colo.)--1920-1930.; Prison guards--Colorado--Canon City--1920-1930.; Prison riots--Colorado--Canon City--1920-1930.; Colorado State Penitentiary.
- 1929
- State prison laundry
- Black and white convicts at the State Penitentiary in Canon City, Colorado, work in the prison laundry. The interior ceiling is open- beamed, and a riveted metal boiler tank below has pipes, valves and a gauge. Men stand on it, hanging clothes to...
- Canon City (Colo.)--1920-1930.; Interiors.; Laundries (Rooms & spaces)--Colorado--Canon City--1920- 1930.; Prison laborers--Colorado--Canon City--1920-1930.; Prisons--Colorado--Canon City--1920-1930.; Colorado State Penitentiary.
- [between 1920 and 1930?]
- Captain at lock-up box State Prison
- Holding a ring of keys and a cigar, this uniformed Captain at the State Penitentiary in Canon City, Colorado, operates a locking device next to hinged prison bars. A padded chair is in the background.
- Canon City (Colo.)--1910-1930.; Interiors.; Prison guards--Colorado--Canon City--1910-1930.; Colorado State Penitentiary.
- [between 1910 and 1930?]
- State prison boiler room : prisoners doing laundry and playing cards
- Black and white convicts at the State Penitentiary in Canon City, Colorado, work in the prison laundry. The interior ceiling is open- beamed, and a riveted metal tank below has pipes, valves and a gauge; men stand on it, hanging clothes to dry....
- Canon City (Colo.)--1920-1930.; Interiors.; Laundries (Rooms & spaces)--Colorado--Canon City--1920- 1930.; Prison laborers--Colorado--Canon City--1920-1930.; Prisons--Colorado--Canon City--1920-1930.; Colorado State Penitentiary.
- [between 1920 and 1930?]
- Colorado State Penitentiary prison guards
- Prison guards at the Colorado State Penitentiary pose for a group portrait in front a rusticated stone wall. The men wear dark uniforms with caps. Two of the men are African American (Black), they are identified (right to left) as Haley and Pate. A...
- Colorado State Penitentiary--People--1880-1900.; African Americans--Employment--Colorado--Canon City--1880-1900.; Canon City (Colo.)--1880-1900.; Prison guards--Colorado--Canon City--1880-1900.
- [between 1880 and 1900?]
- Western History Subject Index
- Colorado
- Western History Subject Index
- Colorado. Penitentiary. Canon city. Prison
- Western History Subject Index
- Colorado. Penitentiary. Canon City. Women's
- Western History Subject Index
- COLORADO. PENITENTIARY. ORdWay
- Western History Subject Index
- COLORADO. PENAL INSTITUTIONS
- The escape of the Cheyenne from the prison at Fort Robinson - incidents of their pursuit and massacre
- A series of drawings shows: 1) Native Americans (Cheyenne) preparing for battle, 2) their escape from Fort Robinson, and 3) the engagement of Captain Wessels. Headings for each of the three drawings read: "The imprisoned Cheyenne fortifying their...
- Cheyenne Indians--1870-1880.; Indians of North America--1870-1880.; Escapes--1870-1880.
- [between 1940 and 1970?]
- Old entry to prison late 40's
- Chain-link fence edges the parking lot at the State Penitentiary in Canon City, Colorado; where 1940's sedans are parked. The stone prison entrance building has barred windows and an American flag on the roof. The hogback is in the background.
- Canon City (Colo.)--1940-1950.; Prisons--Colorado--Canon City--1940-1950.; Colorado State Penitentiary.
- [1945 to 1950?]
- Prison Chapel put in with riot 1920
- Two-story stone buildings at the State Penitentiary in Canon City, Colorado, have metal, gable roofs and barred windows. The administration building has extruded joints, belfry, arched windows, and a blind arch in the gable. Men stand around the...
- Canon City (Colo.)--1920-1940.; Prisons--Colorado--Canon City--1920-1940.; Colorado State Penitentiary.
- [between 1920 and 1935?]
- Hot soda springs near state prison Canon City
- Stone buildings at the soda springs in Canon City, Colorado, were built in the 1890's with prison labor and feature incised friezes and finials, a metal roof and ridge cresting. The iron spring house has an awning reaching to the street, and a...
- Canon City (Colo.)--1900-1910.; Springs--Colorado--Canon City--1900-1910.
- [between 1900 and 1910?]
- Pressing the search for James B. Sherbondy
- Responding to the 1947 break from the State Penitentiary in Canon City, Colorado, National Guardsmen surround a 1930's hardtop sedan. They wear helmets, double-breasted top coats, and carry automatic and semi- automatic machine guns. Snow covers...
- Canon City (Colo.)--1940-1950.; Militias--Colorado--Canon City--1940-1950.; Prison escapes--Colorado--Canon City--1940-1950.; Colorado State Penitentiary.
- 1947
- Albert Walters 1870-1874
- Albert Walters, first Warden at the State Penitentiary in Canon City, Colorado, poses in a double breasted coat, bow tie, and conductor's cap reading: "Cellhouse." He has a "walrus" moustache.
- Prison wardens--Colorado--Canon City--1870-1880.; Canon City (Colo.)--1870-1880.; Walters, Albert.; Colorado State Penitentiary.
- [between 1870 and 1874?]
- Aerial view of penitentiary after riot
- Fire gutted structures at the State Penitentiary in Canon City, Colorado, include the administration building, its flanking cell blocks, and the license plate shop. The City Ditch winds through the prison complex, and prisoners mill in the sunken...
- Canon City (Colo.)--1920-1930.; Fires--Colorado--Canon City--1920-1930.; Prison riots--Colorado--Canon City--1920-1930.; Colorado State Penitentiary.
- 1929
- Cell block interior after riot
- Metal balconies and railings front prison cells at the State Penitentiary in Canon City, Colorado. Doors are open; fire damage consists of debris and holes in the roof.
- Canon City (Colo.)--1920-1930.; Fires--Colorado--Canon City--1920-1930.; Prison riots--Colorado--Canon City--1920-1930.; Colorado State Penitentiary.
- 1929
- Cell block on fire during riot
- Flames engulf a cell block at the State Penitentiary in Canon City, Colorado. Barred windows show the fire inside, and at the second story roof line, more flame emerges from the building. A power pole, lines, and a swamp cooler front the structure....
- Canon City (Colo.)--1920-1930.; Fires--Colorado--Canon City--1920-1930.; Prison riots--Colorado--Canon City--1920-1930.; Colorado State Penitentiary.
- 1929
- Colorado penitentiary break 1947
- Laying on a wadded, pinstriped prison mattress at the State Penitentiary in Canon City, Colorado, this recaptured escapee has his hand to his mouth. Men write on pads of paper; one wears a baseball cap. A man in a tweed jacket and smoking a...
- Canon City (Colo.)--1940-1950.; Prison escapes--Colorado--Canon City--1940-1950.; Prisoners--Colorado--Canon City--1940-1950.; Fenwick, Red.; Tolley, A. B.; Colorado State Penitentiary.
- 1947
- Colorado Penitentiary interior buildings
- Convicts work at the State Penitentiary in Canon City, Colorado, in a hole near buildings destroyed during the riots of 1929. Rubble, a wheelbarrow, and lumber are in the area. The stone walled City Ditch is in the foreground.
- Canon City (Colo.)--1930-1940.; Prison laborers--Colorado--Canon City--1930-1940.; Colorado State Penitentiary.
- 1930
- Guard on high wall
- Rifle held across his lap, this guard at the State Penitentiary in Canon City, Colorado looks down to the yard below, over the chain link railing topping a prison wall. He wears a khaki uniform, tie, and soft hat. The City Ditch, trees, crags, and...
- Canon City (Colo.)--1930-1940.; Prison guards--Colorado--Canon City--1930-1940.; Colorado State Penitentiary.
- 1937
- Hog farm behind prison
- Stone walled pig pens at the State Penitentiary in Canon City, Colorado, are built on a slope at the base of the hogback behind the prison. Each has a shelter with a mounded hay roof; rock outbuildings with brick cornices line one side. Pipes, a...
- Canon City (Colo.)--1930-1940.; Prisons--Colorado--Canon City--1930-1940.; Swine--Colorado--Canon City--1930-1940.; Colorado State Penitentiary.
- [between 1930 and 1940?]
- Mutiny at Colo. State Penitentiary Oct. 3 1929
- Smoke billows from the State Penitentiary in Canon City, Colorado, during a riot. Twelve inmates, led by Danny Daniels, took control of the prison, killed seven guards (four in a firing squad) and released the other prisoners. People are in the...
- Canon City (Colo.)--1920-1930.; Fires--Colorado--Canon City--1920-1930.; Prison riots--Colorado--Canon City--1920-1930.; Colorado State Penitentiary.
- 1929
- Prison band
- Members of the prisoner's band at the State Penitentiary in Canon City, Colorado, pose with drums, clarinets, trombones, cornets, trumpets, and a saxophone. Their uniforms have embroidered flourishes on the sleeves, billed caps, gold chains, high...
- Canon City (Colo.)--1890-1900.; Bands--Colorado--Canon City--1890-1900.; Prisoners--Colorado--Canon City--1890-1900.; Colorado State Penitentiary.
- [between 1890 and 1900?]