Prospect Heights Jail, Canon City, Colorado

Prospect Heights, Canon City, Colorado

If you build it, you can sleep in it. 

In 1905, Drunk and Disorderly were common grounds in this non-mining town. A jail became a necessity when neighboring “dry” communities flocked to the many  Saloons in Prospect Heights. The saloons were open 24 hours a day, and thirsty miners came in from all directions to share in the rowdiness. The ban of alcohol in neighboring settlements and mining towns, made this new town an instant hit. 

Though the settlement dates back to 1880, the town didn’t really become much until the turn of the century. In 1901 Canon City enacted a suspension on all liquor licenses and the town of Prospect Heights was formed and incorporated in 1905 by brothers Florijan, Anton, Frank, and John Adamic. 36 others joined in the effort to make a “wet” town as soon as possible. The town’s purpose was to sell spirits to those that were out working hard. 

Soon after, train cars full of beer, wine and spirits began to arrive. Anton Adamic began to sell the goods to the popup saloons. Workers from all around began pouring in. The saloons absolutely flourished. Saloons were everywhere and even in some of the homes along the road. I didn’t find anything on exactly how many saloons popped up out of nowhere, but several are mentioned in every single article I read. I first discovered this story while geocaching sometime around 2010 and I have been enamored by the story since. 

As the drinks in the saloons soared to new heights, so did the disorderlies and crime. Debauchery was a foot and the need for sobering up the workers came to an inherent need quickly. The wild west was still in the blood of those that shared the bar. Tales of brawls began and no white lines could be walked within miles. 

Only one single municipal building was constructed in the small town. The Jailhouse. The settlement contacted Ernie Sell and his father to build a jail to house all the disorderlies in the town. It was made of local hand cut stone and was a quaint 22×20 foot building.  The only openings were a window on the front and a door, both covered by metal bars. The inside was 3 rooms, an office and 2 jail cells. 

The first occupant of disorderly patrons was none other than the building builder, Ernie Sell. Upon completion of the build, he went to a saloon and celebrated as best he could. He landed his sleepy head in the room he built well once he settled in. The most famous inmate to sleep it off there was Tom Mix, a silent screen cowboy star. He felt the need to celebrate by firing his guns in the street in the middle of the night. His producer realized pretty quickly where he was, when he didn’t show up for filming the next morning. 

The saloons went away first with the closing of US Smelter in 1909 and the Supreme Court decision to support dry communities. It was used for the housing of the Coal Mine strikes by the troops to detain the strikers. Then the little town slowly began to quiet in 1915 and the Jailhouse building stopped housing the rowdy permanently somewhere along those time lines. 

Later on it was used as a performance hall, storage building and then ultimately was eventually abandoned. The building can be toured in the warmer months now.  A store still operates just up the road selling antiquities. The town un-incorprated in 1990 when the water system failed and it is was absorbed by Canon City. The houses on that stretch are mostly original houses and quiet. I bet the debauchery can still be heard late at night though…

*Disclaimer – I’m not a historian, scholar or writer. I aim to honor and remember all the souls and landmarks I encounter in my explorations. Sharing these helps to keep their memory from fading away. I do my best to find information and I’m always open to edits and corrections when needed. I would never post anything incorrectly with harmful intent. Cemeteries are full of stories, sometimes I can find them, sometimes I can’t.

Be respectful if visiting any of the places I share. These places won’t be around forever, especially if not treated with the utmost in respect. Other than picking up obvious trash, we do not alter any of the gravesites we visit. Please keep in mind that some trinkets are left as honor, not disrespect.  

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