Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia has earned a reputation as one of the most haunted spots in the world. Its tragic history and tales of the paranormal draw visitors from all over the country, particularly at this most chilling time of the year. But, be prepared for what may happen when you visit this haunted prison in Pennsylvania.
Cross the threshold onto the grounds of Eastern State Penitentiary, a sprawling building set against the sparkling Philadelphia skyline.
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The Philadelphia skyline has certainly evolved since Eastern State Penitentiary first opened in 1829. An intimidating castle-like structure, the prison featured 253 cells.
Flickr/Peter Miller
One prisoner occupied each cell. The goal of solitary confinement, for the entirety of a prisoner’s sentence, was to help each man find peace and forgiveness for his sins.
Flickr/Jenni C.
Instead, the lack of human contact drove many of the prisoners to insanity.
Flickr/Peter Miller
Arguably the prison’s most famous inmate, Al Capone spent eight months in solitary confinement, during which time he claimed one of his murder victims began to haunt him. His story is now counted among the many tales of hauntings in Eastern State Penitentiary.
Flickr/Chassy Cleland
Eventually, solitary confinement gave way to two to three prisoners crowding a single cell. During the early part of the 20th century, prisoners no longer suffered the ill effects of solitary confinement but their torture was far from over.
Flickr/Chassy Cleland
The heavy-handed warden, Herbert Smith, began implementing a series of brutal punishments. Prisoners were often starved for days and…
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Some were tightly tied to a chair, unable to move any part of their bodies, for days at a time. During the winter, the men were dunked in cold water then tied to the wall to freeze.
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The terrifying ordeals many of the prisoners suffered have led, if you believe in the paranormal, to many of their spirits haunting the prison to this day.
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Eastern State Penitentiary permanently closed in 1971. Once abandoned, adventure seekers and ghost hunters headed to the former prison to experience the paranormal for themselves.
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Today, visitors can embark on a tour of the most haunted prison in Pennsylvania but be forewarned. Many previous visitors have told of their own experiences with the paranormal during their time behind the prison’s walls.
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Whispers and footsteps. Painful cries when no one’s there. Shadows flickering on prison walls. Apparitions of former prisoners and even an apparition of a guard high above in the now-dormant guard tower.
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Not terrifying enough for you? Visit Eastern State Penitentiary October evenings this fall for a Halloween experience unlike any other. Terror Behind the Walls, a haunted house, allows visitors to become involved in the drama or to sit back and watch.
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Regardless of when you visit Eastern State Penitentiary, keep an open mind. More than 70,000 prisoners have passed through the cells at this haunted prison in Pennsylvania. Will you come-face-to-face with one of their spirits?
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Do you dare visit this most haunted prison in Pennsylvania and will you visit in the daylight or when the sun goes down? After your visit to Eastern State Penitentiary, start planning a road trip through Pennsylvania’s ghost towns.
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Flickr/Peter Miller
Flickr/Jenni C.
Flickr/Chassy Cleland
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