I know a lot of you commented and expressed interest in seeing photos from my visit to Eastern State Penitentiary. Here they are, along with a history lesson.
I’m not sure where my fascination with touring abandoned prisons comes from. Perhaps it’s from my criminology studies or all of the organized crime films I’ve seen. Whatever the reason, I think touring a place like this is more memorable than walking through a museum and seeing artifacts (don’t get me wrong, I like that, too).
But Eastern State is more than that. This empty and decaying prison attacks every one of your senses once you step inside. From crumbling cells to chairs that look like they are straight from a horror movie, there is an eerie stillness that resides within the prison. It’s hard to believe that such an impressive structure sits amongst houses and cafés in a residential area of Philadelphia. But this stone fortress has quite a past. From a notorious gangster inmate to a notable escape attempt, Eastern State boasts a rich history.
Opened in 1829, Eastern State Penitentiary was the first of its kind both in structure and reform. A far cry from what was commonly used to hold criminals in those days, this prison had a mission that through isolation prisoners would atone for their crimes — having only their thoughts and honest labor to occupy their time. In this sense, it was a true “penitentiary,” where inmates would do penance for their crimes.
From the outside, the menacing ten-foot wall served as a deterrent to the would-be escapee. Still, people tried. During Eastern’s tenure as a prison only about 100 inmates managed to escape. All but one avoided recapture. The inside of the prison, consisting of seven cell blocks — centered around a surveillance rotunda — created an intricate labyrinth intended to disorient the prisoner.
During the early days at Eastern State, prisoners consisted of robbers, burglars, horse thieves, and murderers. As a way to keep order, prisoners were often hooded anytime they were outside of their cells. This tactic prevented the prisoners from ever getting a lay of the land, reducing the likelihood that they would try to escape.
Cells were small, centrally heated, and consisted of running water and a flush toilet. The only source of natural light came from a skylight. It’s interesting to note that during the time Eastern was constructed, the White House had no running water and relied on a coal-burning stove for heat. One could argue the inmates had more amenities than President Andrew Jackson.
Over the years, a debate brewed as to the benefits of keeping prisoners in such relative isolation. As the prison expanded in the 1950’s to include a wing for death row inmates, the original ideals of inmate reform took a back seat. Cells became more modernized, inmates had more privileges, and the initial premise of Eastern State was slowly fading.
By the 1960’s the crumbling prison needed repairs and by 1971 the prison was closed for good. There were talks that the land would be sold for condominiums, but criminologists believed that the prison should be preserved. It is currently a “stabilized ruin” and there are no plans to fix it up.
During the tour, my mind constantly wandered to what the prison must have looked like when it was operational. Two images were especially haunting. One was where they put prisoners in solitary confinement — an area that resembled a crawl space. The other was a chair that I referred to as a torture chair before I actually knew what it was. A quick Google search proved that I was close. The sinister looking red chair (seen above) was called the “Mad Chair,” where prisoners who went mad before their sentence ended would be strapped down. Unable to move, they would stay there without food or water until the circulation in their body almost stopped from inactivity.
Taking the audio tour while viewing the prison proved highly informative. Narrated by the actor, Steve Buscemi, the audio tour featured stories told by former inmates and families of inmates, as well as former guards and experts in criminology. Make sure you leave time for the audio tour. It is self-guided, but there are lots of stops along the way. You can easily lose your place among all of the identical looking cell blocks, so try to make a note of which blocks you’ve seen (or you could be there all day).
One of the highlights of the tour is the cell where Al Capone served his one-year sentence in 1929 at Eastern State (prior to his stint at Alcatraz). In comparison to the other cells, Capone was allowed to furnish his with paintings, rugs, and antiques. Recent research indicates that that this portrait of the lap of luxury might be exaggerated.
Other notable highlights include the tunnel that Willie Sutton constructed in 1945 so that he and 11 other inmates could escape.
Walking around Eastern State, you’ll be struck by the cold temperature in the cell blocks. When I visited, it was a breezy spring day, but I could have used an extra layer. Prisoners often complained that Eastern State was cold in the winter and hot in the summer.
If you’re planning a visit to Philadelphia, and have any interest in the history of the U.S. criminal justice system, then Eastern State Penitentiary is a worthwhile stop!
Oooh this prison looks so creepy! I toured Alcatraz a few years ago and loved the tour, so I would probably enjoy touring this prison as well!
http://thecourtneydiaries.com
You should visit, Courtney! I toured Alcatraz last year, and I couldn’t believe how pretty the island was. I’m glad you enjoyed seeing these photos from Eastern State.
Wow. These pictures are so amazing, they really tells there own history.
Xx Blue Ducklings
http://www.blueducklings.wordpress.com
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed learning about Eastern State.
Wow, Vanessa these pictures are breathtaking! This is such a well written and intriguing post, I am so glad you shared!
xoxo http://www.touchofcurl.com
Thanks, Colleen! I’m glad you enjoyed learning more about Eastern State.
Amazing shots! Great photography.
Xo, Christianne
http://simplychristianne.com
Thanks, Christianne!
Wow, this was such a great read, Vanessa, thanks so much for sharing! This really does look a place straight out of a horror movie. To think, so much mental and physical torture took place in there. I couldn’t even look at the red chair in person really because I can only imagine what took place there. I think it was wise to maintain this place and not build condominiums, I mean who would really want to live on a land where a legendary state penitentiary once stood?! Creepy! I honestly don’t think the depiction of Al Capone’s cell is too far off because these gangsters have connections in and out of the jails and with a mobster career like his, I can see him being well respected in there. Again, thanks so much for sharing, I really enjoyed this post! I hope you have an amazing day ahead, girlie!
XO,
Jalisa
http://www.thestylecontour.com
Thanks, Jalisa! I’m so glad I toured Eastern State. It was the highlight of my trip to Philadelphia. I agree — this prison has such a rich history. It would have been a shame to tear it down. Now it can be preserved and future generations will be able to visit and learn of its past. Some of the images were truly haunting, and as I said in the post, I can only imagine what Eastern State must have looked like when it was operational. I’m glad you enjoyed learning more about this prison!
What fantastic pics here Vanessa! You captured the lonely and abandoned feeling of this place. The pics of the lonely chair are the most telling. Thanks for sharing your talent and experience here.
http://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thank you, Kathrine! Touring the prison is certainly a chilling experience. There’s so much history, pain, and isolation to capture, and I think that really comes through in these images. I’m glad you enjoyed learning more about Eastern State!
This all looks so creepy, but I can imagine it was very interesting to walk through and learn about.
xo, jill
http://www.BornFancy.com
It was a great tour, Jill. If you ever get the chance, you should check it out.
Amazing photos! Thanks for sharing!
Have a wonderful day!
much love, Len
http://www.lenparent.com
Thanks, Len! I’m glad you enjoyed seeing the photos.
Amazing pics, I’ve seen info on this place before and it creeps me out so much. I don’t think I would even dare go there haha. Have a great day! Gemma x
http://www.jacquardflower.uk
Thanks, Gemma! I really enjoyed my visit and learned a lot.
Wow very impressive…!!
xx
Mónica Sors
MES VOYAGES À PARIS
NEW POST: WORKING (TRENDY) GIRL LOOK!
Thank you!
Amazing pictures <3
x Alix
@ http://www.acommonobsession.com
Thanks, Alix! I’m glad you enjoyed the photos.
FABULOUS post, I love history and also have a fascination with prisons so I greatly appreciated how informative this was AND how amazing your photos were. I’d really love to visit the prison!
Thanks, Kasie! If you are interested in prisons then you need to visit Eastern State. It was such a fascinating tour. More than a week later, and I’m still telling everyone about how cool this place was to see in person. It was definitely my favorite stop in Philadelphia!
This really looks like a place you’d rather not be left alone in at night lol! 😉 Anyway, this article was very interesting to read and the photos are really beautiful! I too have this fascination with abandoned places (you should follow the account @itsabandoned on Instagram btw, it’s one of the most interesting accounts ever with photos and stories of old abandoned villages and buildings) 🙂 x
Helena
http://www.ilenczfalva.com/
https://www.instagram.com/helena_de_ilenczfalva/
Thanks for the suggestion, Helena! I’m definitely going to check that Instagram account out. I’m glad you found this post informative. Eastern State has such a rich history, and it was amazing to see it in person.
The pictures are a little scary, but they´re really impress my! I love the atmosphere, great work!
xoxo,
Vicky
http://fashiondiiary.com
Thanks, Vicky! I’m glad you liked the photos.
Wow. Very creepy. I’m not sure I could handle this tour but your account is interesting especially Al Capone’s cell. And your photography is amazing!
Taffeta & Tulips
Thanks, Kate! The tour was amazing, and the prison is definitely worth visiting if you’re ever in Philly. I’m glad you found the photos interesting!
I actually went to high school right around Eastern State Penitentiary and have never been! I’m pretty sure they have haunted houses here at Halloween. It’s way creepier than I could have ever imagined! I’m pretty sure the idea of solitary confinement was inspired by Quakers in the area (my fam is Quaker so I know all these random facts haha). I’ll def have to visit if I’m ever back in the area- great review!
Annessa
http://www.seekingsunshine.com
You should definitely visit, Annessa! It’s certainly an experience you won’t soon forget. You’re right about the Quakers — they were the architects of prison reform during that time. I found the tour very interesting!
Beautiful images…definitely makes me want to visit Eastern State Penitentiary again! 🙂
http://roadesque.com
http://ourruins.com
Thanks, Valerie! I would love to visit Eastern State again. There was so much to see, and even though I spent a lot of time there, I still feel like I missed things.
This place is so interesting! I’ve seen in it in a lot of paranormal shows, but loving seeing the photos from your post. It does look creepy even in broad daylight!
xo,
Abby of Life in the Fash Lane
Thanks, Abby! It was amazing to be able to tour and photograph this prison. I’m glad my photos captured the eeriness of the place!
Awwwwww! Absolutely eerie, breathtaking pictures! Good job!!!
Thanks, Elinor! It was a fascinating place to visit and photograph. I’m glad you liked my shots!