The West Virginia Penitentiary, located in Moundsville near Wheeling, was designed in the Gothic Revival architectural style that was popular in America from the mid to late 19th century. Originally built in 1866, partially by convict labor, the fortress-like stone structure features 24-foot high walls, battlements and turrets. Following several additions throughout the years, the rectangular complex covers 19 acres with an imposing and formidable three block long facade, which both belies and portends the cramped, overcrowded and inhuman conditions for which the penitentiary became so infamous.
During its 129 history, the West Virginia Penitentiary was the site of executions by hanging and electrocution, torture by such innovations as Kicking Jenny and the Shoo-Fly, prison escapes, riots and other violent acts, many contributing to the prison's 998 documented deaths. Known as the Prison Pet, for example, a mounted Gatling gun with its muzzles pointed toward the door stood guard over the prisoners' dining area to discourage any thoughts of mutiny.
In 1986, the West Virginia Supreme Court ruled that the small 5 x 7-foot cells constituted cruel and unusual punishment. By 1995 the final prisoners had been transferred to other facilities and the prison was closed. For additional information, visit About.com's Guide to Crime and Punishment: Article - Haunting Ghost Stories of West Virginia Penitentiary and Photos - West Virginia Penitentiary Photo Gallery.
Visiting the Former West Virginia PenitentiaryIn 1996, the former West Virginia Penitentiary was added to the National Register of Historic places. Today the Moundsville Economic Development Council offers special events and regularly scheduled tours on site, including several popular ghost hunting options because of the high level of paranormal activity recorded in some areas of the complex.
Former West Virginia Penitentiary ToursTours of the penitentiary include several options, some of them quite bone chilling:
- Day Tours - Regularly scheduled guided Day Tours last 90 minutes and explore the history, architecture, prison facts, and information about the justice system.
- Night Tours - Groups of at least 20 participants can schedule night tours, which begin at midnight with a 90-minute historical and educational guided tour, followed by time to explore in the dark on your own until 6 a.m.
- Ghost Hunts - Following registration and orientation, ghost hunters begin with a 90-minute guided tour, pizza, soft drinks and a movie. Then you are on your own to explore for the rest of the night, although on-site paranormal investigators are available throughout the hunt. Who knows? You may run into Shadow Man, one of the most frequently sighted spirits in the Prison.
- Group Tours - Group Tours are available by special arrangement.
Annual events held at the prison include a Halloween horror event and a spring heritage event:
- Dungeon of Horrors - This really scary annual event takes place on scheduled days during the Halloween season. Explore what organizers and visitors alike call one of the scariest places behind bars. See what it is like to be locked up in a cell, lost in a maze and escape via an authentic Casket Ride. (Seriously, these are real caskets purchased from one of the local funeral parlors. Very spooky stuff.) Tickets are required and can be ordered online. This event is too scary for young children and is not recommended for anyone under the age of 12.
- Annual Elizabethtown Festival - This annual heritage festival celebrates the traditions and customs of the turn of the century, including local crafts such as basket making, quilting, and weaving, plus bread and butter making, blacksmith skills. In addition, there are educational exhibits and heritage games for children, as well as regional entertainment such as gospel and bluegrass music, washboard bands and barbershop quartets.
