West Virginia Penitentiary looms in gothic heritage – Parkersburg News

Photo by Amy PhelpsThe West Virginia Penitentiary in Moundsville, W.Va., is the sister prison of the Joliet prison. Photo by Amy Phelps Visitors will get to see and enter the 57 cells which housed more than one person.Photo by Amy PhelpsFirst opened in 1876 and constructed by the prisoners, the prison closed in 1995.

Photo by Amy PhelpsThe West Virginia Penitentiary in Moundsville, W.Va., is the sister prison of the Joliet prison.

MOUNDSVILLE In the small town of Moundsville looms the gothic West Virginia Penitentiary.

With an ancient mound across the street, the West Virginia Penitentiary is the sister prison of the Joliet prison. One-half the size of Joliet, it is fashioned in the same castellated Gothic architectural style, with turrets and battlements. First opened in 1876 and constructed by the prisoners, it closed in 1995, and many of the former guards there now lead the daily tours. Nearly 100 prisoners were executed there, but it is known for several riots, one in 1973 and one in 1986, as well as three escapes, two in 1988 and one in 1992. The Department of Justice named it one of the top ten most violent correctional facilities in the nation. Maybe because of this it is also now the site for many a ghost hunt.

Executions by hanging were held in the Northern area of the facility, the first in 1899, and continued until 1949. Visitors can walk to the area where they once were held. From 1951-1959, nine were executed by the electric chair, nicknamed Old Sparky and is still housed in the facility, which was also build by a prisoner. At one point the building housed at least 1000 inmates. When it closed there were 675 prisoners.

The facility has also hosted movies and documentaries on site. Those include the movies, The Night of the Hunter (1955) and Fools Parade (1971.) These would have been filmed during the time it was still in use. There are movie posters and memorabilia in the small museum section of the building for them.

Available for daily tours as well as special event 3-hour and overnight investigations, during a day tour, guides will lead guests through a 90-minute look into the history and happenings of the building. Several rooms are toured, including the recreation yards, visitation rooms, the cafeteria that was brought about because of the riot in 1986 and more. The famous boiler room and Sugar Shack are passed by in the daily tour but visitors may catch a glimpse. Visitors will get to see and enter the 57 cells which housed more than one person, and will see The Alamo which housed the most dangerous criminals, where graffiti from the previous residents still remain, and The Wall which had the less-dangerous. Special Monday tours allow visitors to see the Sugar Shack, Psych Ward and the Hole, and hear some spooky tales about them.

Photo by Amy PhelpsFirst opened in 1876 and constructed by the prisoners, the prison closed in 1995.

For ghost hunter enthusiasts is the Thriller Thursday and Twilight Tours. Overnight investigations, both private and public, are also available. Visitors can find out more at the website, wvpentours.com.

Also available at special times is the Escape Room game for up to 8 people. There are also several attractions during Halloween, including a haunted house, a guided paranormal walk and a zombie paintball game. More information about these events are found at the website.

Day tour tickets cost $12, seniors $9 and kids 6-16 $6. Hours through August are daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. September and October hours are Tuesday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., generally, with special hours for special events. More information can be found at wvpentours.com.

***

Upcoming Events

Photo by Amy Phelps Visitors will get to see and enter the 5x7 cells which housed more than one person.

* Sept. 16: Elizabethtown Festival

* Sept. 19: R.I.P. Night

* Sept. 22-23, 29-30: Dungeon of Horrors, North Walk

* Oct. 1: Superhero Party

* Oct. 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, 27-31: Dungeon of Horrors, North Walk

* Oct. 23: Kids Night

* Oct. 24: Family Night

See the original post:
West Virginia Penitentiary looms in gothic heritage - Parkersburg News

Reviewed and Recommended by Erik Baquero