Many haunted places are rumored to exist throughout the
State of West Virginia; however, the most intriguing is the Moundsville
Penitentiary. Additionally, most paranormal investigators, paranormal
enthusiasts, and people that have observed and/or directly experienced the
signs of paranormal activity within the prison state that Moundsville
Penitentiary is one of the MOST
haunted places throughout West Virginia. The immensely large stone-based façade
continues to stand today, seemingly luring people in by the mysterious ambience
and shadows that look as if they emerge from every crack and crevice from the
carefully-crafted castle. If you enjoy history and have an interest in seeking
out evidence of life after death, continue reading to learn about why
Moundsville Penitentiary is considered to be one of the most haunted places in West
Virginia.
The History of the
West Virginia State Penitentiary
The Moundsville Penitentiary is more than just a haunted prison;
it is an establishment with a rich history. In order to appreciate the signs of
paranormal activity that seem to abound at this structure, you must first have
a little bit of background on the facility. We will start elaborating on this
history by starting with the fact that West Virginia is one of only two
American states that formed during the period of the American Civil War, which
took place between the years of 1861 to 1865. Additionally, West Virginia is
the only state to form by undergoing the process of seceding from a
Confederate-based state. It officially separated and formed as a state in the
year of 1863.
When West Virginia officially became a state all of its own,
the region lacked a variety of public institutions – one of which being
prisons. Starting in the year of 1863, the Governor at the time, Arthur I.
Boreman, continuously lobbied the legislative body of the state to approve a
penitentiary. Unfortunately, this request was denied. The governor was
encouraged to send inmates to prisons in neighboring states and to use local
jails that existed within the current counties; however, this proved to be less
than favorable. In the year of 1865, a total of nine inmates successfully
escaped. The press expounded on this issue and the Legislature then elected to
take action.
On the 7th day of February in the year of 1866,
the legislative body approved the purchase of a large plot of land in the City
of Moundsville for the purpose and intent of creating a state penitentiary. The
land included ten acres, which cost $3,000.00 to purchase. That same year, the
state constructed a small wood-based prison just a short distance from where
the new prison would be constructed. In the meantime, the officials responsible
for the design and construction of the penitentiary researched various designs.
Finally, it was agreed upon that the new prison would resemble the penitentiary
that was located at Joliet in Illinois. Not only was the structure to be
extremely strong, the officials ensured that it displayed an ambience of
cheerlessness and misery.
The very first building constructed that was part of the
Moundsville State Penitentiary was referred to as the North Wagon Gate. Prison
labor was used to build this and the construction lasted until the year of
1876. Eventually, the cellblock areas of the north and south were constructed. Included
in these regions were an area for earing, a kitchen, a chapel, and even a
hospital. Immediately thereafter, a tower consisting of 4 stories was built.
This served as the administration building, a location for any female inmates
sent to the facility, as well as a small area of space that the warden and his
family could reside. 1876 marked the year with the Moundsville Prison finally
opened. It started with a total of 251 inmates – all males. Immediately after
opening, work started on the workshops and numerous other facilities that would
be a part of the prison.
Basic Operations
When the Moundsville Penitentiary opened, the inmates within
the facility not only assisted in the continued construction of the
establishment, but, had many other responsibilities, as well. By the early
years of the 1900s, there were many shops at the prison. These included those
that focused on carpentry, painting, and blacksmithing. Furthermore, the
facility included a farm where prisoners worked. The revenue that the inmates
generated from their assigned tasks helped in funding the prison. Many
described the institution, during this period, as being “self-sufficent”. The
turn of the 20th century marked some of the best days of the
Moundsville Penitentiary; however, as time progressed, dark days started to
arrive.
Worsening Conditions
Moundsville
prison is known to have been a very violent place. In fact, in later years,
the United States Department of Justice released a list called the Top
Ten Most Violent Correctional Facilities and Moundsville was on that
list. The violence seemed to originate in the late 1800s when all of the
executions of West Virginia were transferred to Moundsville; however, it was
not until after the turn of the century when things got worse. There were a
wide assortment of suicides, a very large amount of murders, and excessively
violent punishments taking place within the walls of the facility. Many of the
inmates died violently, but records were not kept properly. This resulted in
the inability to determine exactly how many people died while serving time at
Moundsville Penitentiary.
The West
Virginia State Penitentiary was exposed as having prison officials that
kept items – such as whips – in the facility to issue punishments to the
incorrigibles that were serving time for their crimes. Many prisoners were
strapped to devices while receiving beatings that brought them near to death or
simply killed them. Others were placed in a device that kept various parts of
their body in place while sprayed in the face with a water hose. This was
referred to as the “shoo-fly” and most that were placed in this device came very
close to death as a result of the cold water and swallowing too much of the
water too rapidly. The Sugar Shack within the Moundsville prison was known for
fights, rapes, and other forms of violence. Overcrowding, sickness, and disease
also seemed to abound in the West Virginia State Penitentiary.
Signs of Paranormal
Activity
If you are in search of haunted places, the Moundsville
Penitentiary will not disappoint. According to many witnesses – dating all the
way back to the early 1900s – many signs of paranormal activity have been seen
and/or experienced at Moundsville. Many stories continue to circulate and
several believe that this is one of the most haunted places throughout the
entire State of West Virginia. Below, you will find an outline of the signs of paranormal
activity that have been associated with this haunted prison:
·
As
mentioned previously, Moundsville Penitentiary included a special recreation
room called The Sugar Shack.
Originally, it was designed for indoor recreation when the weather would not
permit for outdoor recreation. It was not at all uncommon to find the inmates
engaging in various types of gambling, conversation, and similar activities.
However, as time progressed, The Sugar
Shack was anything but sweet. Fights began to erupt. Rapes began to occur.
Many acts of violence took place in this area. Today, people that visit this
region of the haunted prison state that they hear voices. Sometimes, the voices
seem to only be talking. At other times, though, arguments and screams may be
heard. It is not at all uncommon to feel as if someone is standing beside you
in this room. Many have heard unexplained noises and have experienced cold
spots in The Sugar Shack area of
Moundsville prison.
·
In the
1930s, the guards that were responsible for ensuring that no one escaped from
the Moundsville Penitentiary would claim to see an inmate near the maintenance
area of the facility. Immediately, the alarms would sound and the area would be
investigated; however, in all instances, no one was there and all of the
inmates were accounted for in the facility.
·
One of the
most frightening of all ghostly experiences within the Moundsville Penitentiary
is the spirit known as the Shadow Man.
According to witnesses, a dark
shadow seems to lurk among the halls and the cells of the facility. While
there are no solid characteristics to this apparition, the shadow is described
as being in the shape of a man.
·
According
to legend, the Moundsville prison was constructed on top of a burial ground
that belonged to the Native Americans. As a result of being built in this
location, negative energy from the buried seemed to infiltrate the structure
and grounds. It is believed that this negative energy has caused a wide array
of the signs of paranormal activity that exist within and around the buildings.
·
The
circle-shaped entrance gate often turns on by itself, as if someone is arriving
at the facility; however, upon further inspection, no solid explanation is
found for this occurrence.
·
Throughout
the prison and the grounds that it sits, many have caught fleeting glimpses of
shadows, have heard screams, and have even witnessed crying sounds.
Conclusion
The West Virginia Penitentiary in Moundsville no longer
houses criminals; however, the spirits of those that once roamed the land,
worked in the institution, and resided within the facility seem to be forever
bound to this haunted prison. If you would like to experience one of the many haunted places that
currently exist, you will be pleased to know that the Moundsville Penitentiary offers many
tours. During the daytime hours, it is possible to explore the prison
grounds and view the cells where the inmates resided. There are also a number
of night tours and the ability to explore the structure and grounds until the
early morning hours. When it comes to haunted places, Moundsville Penitentiary
is at the top of the list for the highest amount of signs of paranormal
activity.
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