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| click to embiggen |
The last time I was in Philly, I visited the Eastern State Penitentiary. It was first built in 1776 and was known as the Walnut Street Jail. In 1836, work was completed, and 450 cells were available to house inmates. Famous for its radial or wagon wheel floor plan, over 300 prisons worldwide have copied this architectural style. Some of America's most notorious criminals were held within the penitentiary's walls, including Willie Sutton and Al Capone. After being totally abandoned in 1971, preservation efforts continue and over 100,000 visitors a year tour the prison remains. It is amazing that this giant walled piece of history still stands in the midst of a bustling Philadelphia. So is it haunted? The negative energies were so dense, I had to leave after about twenty minutes.
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| Capone's cell ... obviously privileged (click to embiggen) |
I can imagine the residual energy in a place like that would be very strong.
ReplyDeleteThat's fascinating (and you make it look beautiful). I'm a fan of "Ghost Hunters" but don't know if they've ever investigated it. It looks like it would be a fun tour.
ReplyDeleteSpooky. I wasn't aware of this place. I probably wouldn't have lasted long there, as a prisoner or as a tourist.
ReplyDeleteOK, HERE's something spooky - we were JUST talking about this over a break at work today! One of my coworkers visited the prison a few years ago. She was talking about Al Capone's cell. I'm officially weirded out now - ha!
ReplyDeleteBug that is TOO weird (!)
ReplyDeleteI'll add a pic of Capone's cell...
ReplyDeleteI'm psychic so I shouldn't be weirded out...
ReplyDeleteSo I guess you wouldn't recommend that it be converted into a touristy hotel?
ReplyDeleteTouristy hotel? I wouldn't stay there!
ReplyDeleteLet's see, Tess...if you'd put a computer in there and a large-screen TV...well, I'd have to try the bed first--grin!!!
ReplyDeleteYou really get into the "FAR-OUT" venues, girl. In a prison of hundreds, there's got to be enough for a string quartet. Imagine that! (NOW who's weird, hmmmmm?--grin!)
Don't really know how I stayed out of jail...OR prison.
Blessings for you. Spring must be showing signs of life, as all nature will be playing a symphony to the Gos Who makes it all possible.
Holy crap, am I on a roll--or what?
It looks like a Catholic church.
ReplyDeletegruesome is all i can say. enough to make my be as good as I can.
ReplyDeleteTerrific pictures -- kinda love Capone's cell!
ReplyDeleteTerrific pictures -- kinda love Capone's cell!
ReplyDeleteWow. Ten years I lived in Philly - I never knew it was there.
ReplyDeleteOne can almost hear the hushed whispers of sadness and sorrow that remain in the ruin. The photograph is lovely- evocative of hauntings.
Impressive architecture. It’s too bad another use can’t be found to bring it back.
ReplyDeleteThat's how prisons really should be (other than Capone's cell of course).
ReplyDeleteI'm sufficiently depressed already, without getting into a discussion about this place. I can just imagine how much unhappy energy there is around there.
ReplyDeleteOne of the most amazing and interesting tours I've ever been on was of Alcatraz -- truly incredible. The photo you've included is wonderful -- and if you haven't yet, read the article about prisons in a recent New Yorker. I can't remember which one, but it's sobering stuff.
ReplyDeleteFascinating stuff. Thank you, Tess!
ReplyDeleteThat could give me my fastest run from entrance and exit... LoL!..
ReplyDeleteJJRod'z
That is so cool! in a painful sorrowful way...Love Capone's digs!
ReplyDeleteYikes! There was a show on t.v. once about old abandoned buildings which I truly find fascinating. This one is a spectacular one for photography of the grunge. Great post. Why did you ever think of going there?
ReplyDeleteI have that same radio in my bedroom. Kooky.
ReplyDeleteFascinating!!
ReplyDeleteI can feel the negativity just looking at the photo.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how we have a global fascination with this subject Tess. As a student nurse years ago, we took a visit to an old Victorian asylum. The 'museum' was housed up a flight of steep stone stairs in a square Gothic tower. The relics of 19th century pyschiatric 'treatment' devices were horrendous. Like you with the penitentiary, I couldn't stay there, the spirits of those poor souls were swirling around that room in droves. I headed down those stairs in record time.
ReplyDeleteMillie xx
I shudder just looking at the picture. Can't imagine 20 minutes in there...
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