The Eastern State Penitentiary In Philadelphia Is Known As The Most Haunted Place In America, And Here’s Everything You Need To Know About What Happened Inside The Walls
The Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has long been known as one of the most haunted sites in America.
It was opened in 1829 as the “world’s first real ‘penitentiary’– a prison designed to inspire penitence, or true regret, in the hearts of prisoners,” according to the prison’s website.
And for over one hundred and forty years, the institution became renowned for dismal isolation, agonizing torture, disease, and murder.
Notable inmates included “Slick Willie” Sutton and Al Capone, which– along with the prison’s frightening history– earned the institution a reputation of being severely haunted.
The inside of the penitentiary is now cold and desolate. But, the walls, floors, remaining steel beds, and general aura of the prison tell the story of years past.
Back in the day, inmates would be forced to sit in their cells for twenty-three hours every single day– leading many to insanity.
Common criminal punishments also included ice baths– where inmates would be dunked into freezing tubs before being hung on the wall– and something known as the “mad chair.”
Guards would bound inmates to the chair so tightly that it would cut off circulation.
The practice of isolating prisoners stemmed from the idea that solitude might encourage positive inward reflection.
Marco – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purpose only
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But, the penitentiary eventually became overpopulated, and prisoners were forced into cells with each other.
From that time on, isolation became strictly a punishment.
The Eastern State Penitentiary eventually closed in 1971 due to severe overcrowding. And in 1994, it was delegated as a historic site open to the public for viewing.
Now, brave explorers can venture into the Eastern State Penitentiary for daytime or nighttime tours of the facility.
Some go to learn about the prison’s history, while others go in search of ghosts and other supernatural rumors.
In fact, the facility has been featured on numerous supernatural television series over the years, including the Travel Channel’s Ghost Adventures and Most Haunted Live, Syfy’s Ghost Hunters, and MTV’s Fear.
And if you are looking for the creepiest place to spend your Halloween evening, the Eastern State Penitentiary may be just the place.
It hosts a holiday event featuring five haunted attractions, historical tours, themed bars and lounges, and live entertainment– all right inside the abandoned ten-acre prison.
To learn more about Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary, visit the link here. Or, to learn more about the prison’s history, visit the link here.
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