Prison Industry
Original Industry
License Plates
In 1928, NSP became the site for state automobile license plate production. Until the advent of modern screening techniques, the license plates were stamped and painted using dies and stamps that were operated by trusted inmates. Today the “Tag Plant” is at another prison.
Original Prison
Architectural Clues to the Past: 1925 v. 1928
Standing in front of the main Administrative building looking northeast today, visitors can see the original 1925 portion (left) and the 1928 plate factory (right).
Original Industry
License Plate Factory
The original license plate factory began production of the very first license plates in Dec. 1931, where production continued until 1963.
Original Plate Factory Today
NSP Museum & Gift Shop
Between 1963 and 1967, the old
license plate factory was turned into a library, reading, recreation and weight room, office space, and finally visiting room (roughly 1985).
Today this historic spaced is used to house the Nevada State Prison Museum & Gift Shop.
A legacy carved in stone
Sandstone Quarry
The sandstone quarry remained a significant piece of the prison’s operation from the 1860s to the 1950s. The Nevada State Prison was the source of building material for 12 properties now listed on the National Historic Register:
- Bank Saloon
- Ormsby County Courthouse [NV Attorney General’s Office]
- Heroes Memorial Building [NV Attorney General’s Office]
- Abraham Curry House
- Nevada Governor’s Mansion
- Nevada State Capitol
- Nevada State Printing Office
- Governor James Nye Mansion
- Ormsby-Rosser House
- U.S. Mint [Nevada State Museum]
- Virginia & Truckee Railroad Shops
- Nevada State Prison