You Can Save a Piece of Mohave County History
Step into a building frozen in time. For 58 years the Historic Mohave County Jail was at the center of crime and punishment in Northwest Arizona. Help MCHS in our goal of restoring and preserving the jail for public tours.
History & Heritage
A Century of Frontier Justice
Built in 1909 and opened in 1910, the Historic Mohave County Jail stands as one of the best-preserved examples of frontier-era law enforcement architecture in the American Southwest. Its thick tuffa stone walls and iron-barred cells tell the story of a region aiming for law and order in order to reach statehood.
From Wild West bandits and mining town madames, to Prohibition-era bootleggers and Route 66 murderers, the Historic Mohave County Jail witnessed decades of change and conflict.
Closed in 1968, after it was deemed unfit to house inmates, the last warden out locked the door and left a cell block frozen in time. After nearly 60 years of neglect, it's time to open it up as the museum it should be. Stay-tuned for future fundraisers. To donate today, reach out to the Mohave County Historical Society at (928) 753-3195.
Original Cell Blocks
Walk the same corridors that held Mohave County's most notorious outlaws.
Historic Architecture
Rare example of late-19th-century county jail construction still standing in Arizona.
Explore the Exhibits
Stories From Inside the Walls
THIS SECTION COMING SOON!
Territorial Law & Order
Discover how law enforcement was established across the vast, untamed expanse of the Arizona Territory in the decades following the Civil War.
On displayNotorious Inmates
Meet the outlaws, rustlers, and desperados whose crimes and trials captivated the frontier press and shaped public perception of justice.
On displaySheriffs & Deputies
Profiles of the brave men and women who wore the badge in Mohave County, from the first appointed sheriff to the dawn of the modern era.
On displayLife in the Cell Block
An unflinching look at daily conditions inside the jail — food, routine, discipline, and the rare moments of humanity that emerged behind bars.
On displayFrontier Justice
Explore the courtrooms, judges, and legal proceedings that defined justice on the frontier, including landmark cases that set precedents across the territory.
On displayThe Road to Reform
Trace the evolution of incarceration and criminal justice in Mohave County through the 20th century, from reform movements to modern law enforcement.
On displayPlan Your Visit
Hours & Location
Hours
Admission
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Contact us for directions →Plan Your Visit Today
One ticket gets you into all three museums — the Mohave Museum, Bonelli House, and the Historic County Jail.