Vandalia man publishes MSP photo book

Michael Schlueter poses with his new book of Missouri State Penitentiary photographs.
Michael Schlueter poses with his new book of Missouri State Penitentiary photographs.

In hopes of encouraging people to visit the Missouri State Penitentiary to learn its history, Michael Schlueter's fine art photography book of the old prison in Jefferson City is now on sale.

Schlueter, a fine art photographer from Vandalia, published 86 photos of the Missouri State Penitentiary earlier this month. The 100-page, coffee-table style book also highlights historical events and includes a foreword by former MSP warden Michael Groose, whom Schlueter came to know well from the various tours.

Already having an interest in photographing abandoned buildings, Schlueter visited the decommissioned prison several times between 2011-17 to photograph the property. He said he was "taken by it," adding the buildings that struck him the most were the gas chamber and lower level of A Hall - where the old dungeon was housed.

"(Abandoned buildings) always captivated me because it always posed more questions than answers, and that's what I've always tried to work into my photography," he said. "If you can intrigue people or be intrigued yourself, I think it adds so much more depth to something as opposed to providing all of these answers. When I stumbled across these abandoned places, it always made me wonder about the people: Who worked there? Who lived there? What were their lives like, and why did this place shut down or move? It just really struck a chord in me with the penitentiary."

At the time of his early visits, Schlueter said, uncertainty and talks of demolition revolved around the old prison. Knowing the uncertainty and being fascinated by the prison's history, he dove headfirst into photographing the buildings.

More than 20 structures deemed blighted were demolished at the old Missouri State Penitentiary in 2014.

While Schlueter has been a commercial photographer for 35 years, he originally had not planned to publish the photos in a book format. However, after looking through the photos and hearing feedback from friends, he decided to publish the photos.

Schlueter hopes people will visit MSP after viewing his book, or at the very least "experience a little bit of what I've experienced and felt" by flipping through the photos.

"There's nothing like being there, but hopefully it provides a little insight into Missouri's history," he said. "If they have a fascination like I do with places that are historic, yet abandoned, I think they'll enjoy it."

The book costs $135 and can be ordered at schlueterphoto.com.