Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Eastern State Penitentiary has become a favorite destination for ghost hunters as well as the public at large since it has been opened to tours.
Built in 1829, the imposing Gothic structure was originally designed to hold 250 inmates in solitary confinement. At the height of its use, however, as many as 1,700 prisoners were crammed into the cells. Like many such places of high emotional stress, misery and death, the prison has become haunted.
One of its most famous inmates was none other than Al Capone, was was incarcerated there on illegal weapons possession in 1929. During his stay, it is said that Capone was tormented by the ghost of James Clark, one of the men Capone had murdered in the infamous St. Valentine’s Day massacre.
Other reported haunting activity includes:
A shadow-like figure that scoots quickly away when approached.
A figure that stands in the guard tower.
An evil cackling reportedly comes from cellblock 12.
In cellblock 6, another shadowy figure has been seen sliding down the wall.
Mysterious, ghostly faces are said to appear in cellblock 4.
Unfortunately, not all of these cells are open to the public, even on the tours.
