Nevada State Prison is located in Carson City, Nevada. The prison was in continuous operation from its establishment in 1862 until its closure in 2012, a period of 150 years. Abraham Curry, an early settler of Eagle Valley (the site of Carson City), built a hotel and started a rock quarry. In 1861, the first Territorial Legislature created the Board of Prison Commissioners. They leased 20 acres from Curry and gave him $80,000 in interest-bearing bonds for the property. Curry was also appointed as the first territorial warden of the prison on that date.

In 1871 a prison break occurred. Twenty-seven prisoners escaped, acquired guns and shot Lt. Governor Denver and several guards. Most were recaptured and two were hung by a posse at Convict Lake in Mono County (hence the name). 

In the 1920s Assembly Bill 98 passed legalizing gambling. The legislature allowed prisoners to gamble. The prisoners developed their own coins, security and rules around the gambling. This was stopped when Governor Laxalt took office. BTW those coins are collector’s items. 

By 2012, housing prisoners in the aging facility had become cost prohibitive. Most of the 700 inmates were transferred to the High Desert State Prison, located in Indian Springs.

Part of this essay was researched from the NV State Prison website (NSP) where you can purchase tickets to tour NV State Prison.