Eastern State Penitentiary

Eastern State Penitentiary operated from 1829 to 1971 and pioneered the “separate system” of incarceration. Prisoners were kept in solitary cells, forbidden to speak. The goal was penitence; the result was often madness. Today, the deteriorating fortress is one of America’s most haunted locations.

History

The prison isolated inmates completely. Guards wore wool socks to muffle their footsteps. Famous inmates included Al Capone and Willie Sutton. The prison closed in 1971 and fell into ruins before becoming a historic site.

The Haunting

Reports of paranormal activity date back to when the prison operated. Since opening for tours, visitors report shadow figures, footsteps in empty corridors, and cold spots.

Cellblock 12 is the most active area, with reports of cackling laughter and shadowy forms. Al Capone’s cell is said to be haunted by the ghost of a St. Valentine’s Day Massacre victim.

Eastern State combines dark history with modern paranormal reports, making it one of America’s premier haunted destinations.