Historic Bagnell Jailhouse Cabin • Osage River/Lake Ozark • Near Bagnell Dam

Imagine vacationing in a cabin above the original City of Bagnell’s Jail! The lower level of this property housed the jail cells, and the top floor was originally a two-room cabin for the jailer. At some point in the 1950's, the top and bottom floors were expanded to create the cabin as it is today. The cell bars are no longer in place; however, there are original bars on the interior windows of the main floor jailhouse. Our families purchased the Jailhouse Cabin in 2025 and have worked to both restore and preserve its history. We hope you feel some 1950's era nostalgia during your stay in this vintage River Cabin. Bagnell, Missouri is located 7 minutes from the Historic Bagnell Dam Strip and the beautiful Lake of the Ozarks. We are located along the Osage River, roughly 4.5 miles below the dam. We are convenient to all of the local tourist destinations, and just minutes from local eateries and shops.

The Jailhouse Cabin has 2 bedrooms, both with queen beds, and one full bathroom with a step-in tub/shower combo. Linens, towels, cooking utensils, air fryer, range/oven combo, full size refrigerator, toaster, coffee maker, TV, and more are included in your stay! It also features a small screened in balcony, a newly constructed deck, and an outdoor firepit. Reserve now to glimpse back into the early days of Bagnell, MO... You may even catch a view of a prisoner in the basement.

Guests will have access to onsite Wi-Fi, private river boat launch, playground, sand volleyball, campground community private family pool and adults only pool.

**New for Summer 2026** Onsite restaurant and bar opening soon! Will be just steps away from the cabin.

About the City of Bagnell:
Bagnell was known as the “Railroad Tie Capital of the World”. Farmers upstream on the Osage River would “whack out” large Oak trees and float them down the river to be collected at Bagnell and be made into ties. From there they were shipped out via train on the Missouri Pacific Bagnell Branch line.
William Bagnell, the surveyor, founder, and namesake of the city, was instrumental in bringing the railway to Bagnell, MO. The Bagnell Branch operated from Jefferson City to Bagnell, between 1882-1954.
Bagnell also boasted its own ferry. At the time, it was the only way to cross the river between Linn Creek and Tuscumbia. Passengers, flocks of sheep and other livestock, as well as equipment and supplies were a part of the constant shuttle.
In its day, the lively city possessed a hotel, school, church, general store, lumberyard, and later a gas station as well as many other businesses and homes.
Bagnell was also instrumental in building the Bagnell Dam, as most of the supplies for the Dam were brought into the city via rail and ferried to the Dam site.
Once the roadway across the dam was opened, the ferry system was no longer needed. After numerous fires and floods, the city of Bagnell slowly faded into history.