Libby Prison was one of the most famous prisons of the Civil War. It was located in Richmond, Virginia, on the western half of a block bounded by Cary and Dock Streets at 20th. It consisted of three tenement (loft style) buildings, each 110x44 feet, 4 stories high. Captain Luther Libby leased the west building on 3 year terms from the Enders family and erected the now renowned sign, L. LIBBY & SON, SHIP CHANDLERS. Libby a native of Maine, closed down operations with the outbreak of war, since most of his business was with Northern ships. He continued to maintain the lease that had started in 1854. Libby Prison was almost exclusively used for officers, although it was a receiving depot for enlisted prisoners of war, prior to being sent off to one of the other Confederate prison camps