Jumbo the Elephant, riding in a green Jackson Wagon. [Rand McNally Publishing, Trading Card] Courtesy of: Michigan History Center
Steve Ostrander, Michigan History Museum
Soon after the Michigan State Prison was built at Jackson, “Agents”—the term for prison wardens at the time–began contracting inmates out to companies that wanted cheap labor.
The Jackson Wagon Company built a factory on the grounds of the Michigan State Prison. Their wagons had earned a reputation for strength and durability during the 1849 California gold rush.
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