Unlike some places that just close the doors and let the rotting process begin, the Moundsville Economic Development Council quickly got a twenty-five year lease on the old prison and began tours to the public and even better, ghost tours! The prison has been labeled one of the most violent prisons in the United States, boasting 94 executions and two riots, one as recent as 1986 and has been the home of some of the most violent criminals in the U.S.

 

The ten acre Gothic style Moundsville State Penitentiary opened in 1866 and was built by the prisoners. Early inmates were expected to work while in prison. For years, the prisoners made the place self sufficient, saving the state a lot of money. Inmates were even expected to attend schooling while in prison.

By 1986, the prison was in a sorry state. Overcrowding and unsanitary conditions led to even more violent and cranky prisoners. The 1986 riot took place over two days and during that time, prison workers were

 

held hostage and three inmates were killed. After the riot, the West Virginia Supreme Court ruled the prison to shut down, which finally happened in 1995.

85 men were hung at the prison and nine died by "Old Sparky," the nickname for their electric chair that was built by a prison inmate.

(From Left: Jonathan Wiley, Amberrose Hammond, Tom Maat & Doug Semig)

 

Michigan's Otherside took a one night trip there in 2006 and spent two nights there for the Mid-Atlantic Paranormal Conference June 8-9 2007.

We piled into the car filled to the top with our junk and never ending snacks and arrived 6 hours later. The prison is formidable by day, but at night with the subtle outside lighting casting upwards on the Gothic style architecture and old, worn sandstone bricks, the castle looks like it could come alive.

While our group was setting up and talking with other people inside, I could tell our new guy Jonathan from Grimstone Inc who had never been to the prison was getting antsy to explore the place. So I grabbed a flashlight and Jonathan and we wondered down a few halls. We didn't wander far and coming back towards the lobby, we thought it funny how we both kept looking behind us. I don't know what it is about that place but I do not like being last while walking around there. The constant feeling of being followed is always with me in that building.

As to be expected with an old building with history, the prison is brimming with ghost stories and even while it was operating, the guards would see things they couldn’t explain. The apparition of a man who was killed in the machine shop underneath the main office building has been seen coming out of there. We sat in front of the door for a while, but no ghost made itself present that night.

While walking around the death row area, we feel we caught an EVP. Jonathan and Tom had heard the sound of someone shuffling their feet behind them, only to turn around and find no one there. At that moment on the audio we were recording, Tom noticed some interesting whispers. When we isolate that clip, I’ll load it up on here for anyone who reads this to check out.

I think one of the creepiest parts of the whole prison is the medical ward. Dentist chairs, X-ray machines and all kinds of other odd medical tools are still up there. It just feels like you're stuck in a creepy horror movie. When our group was heading up there, another group of people claimed they had heard the sound of a doctor talking and giving medical instructions to someone. We didn’t hear any voices, but like I said, just being up there is creepy enough.

If you have been to Moundsville and had an experience you’d like to share, write us!

 

Sources

  • Official Website www.wvpentours.com
  • Wikipedia.com
  • Information from personal tours