In the spirit of Halloween, I thought that I would share one of the creepiest yet most fascinating places I’d visited – Eastern State Penitentiary. I love neo-classical architecture; I love it even more when it’s paired with peeling paint, crumbling walls and a sordid past!
Eastern State Penitentiary is located at 2027 Fairmount Avenue, in the Fairmount section of the city of Philladelphia. It was first opened in October 1829 and was operational until 1971.
It was designed by John Haviland, a major influencer in American Neo-Classical Architecture. His work includes the Franklin Institute and the Walnut Street Theatre, both located in Philladelphia.
The architecture of Eastern State Penitentiary is designed in a “wagon-wheel” style – whereby each wing meets in the middle in a circular space.
Eastern State was different from other prisons because each prisoner was forced into solitary confinement in order to serve penance for their crimes.
Even when outdoors, prisoners were in total solitude. Hoods were placed over their heads so that they had no contact with other prisoners.
Eastern State Penitentiary was home to several famous prisoners include Al Capone. The famous Chicago mobster spent his first ever incarceration at Eastern State. His cell, located on the Park Avenue block, was outfitted with fine furniture, oriental rugs and even a cabinet radio.
Due to overcrowding, the prison abandoned its concept of solitary confinement in 1913. By the 1960s, the prison was falling apart and in 1971, the state of Pennsylvania officially closed Eastern State Penitentary. Over the course of 142 years, the prison housed over 75,000 inmates.
In 1994, Eastern State Penitentary was named a Historic Site and was opened to the public. At Halloween, the prison offers a tour aptly named Terror Behind the Walls at Eastern State Penitentary.
What’s the creepiest yet most fascinating place you’ve ever visited? Do tell!
