The History
When Eastern State Penitentiary opened in 1829, it pioneered a revolutionary concept: complete solitary confinement. Prisoners lived alone, worked alone, and exercised alone in individual walled yards. The idea was that silence and isolation would lead to genuine penitence - hence the word "penitentiary," which was coined here.
The reality was far darker. Prisoners went insane from the total isolation. Some smeared their cell walls with their own waste. Others screamed for hours. Charles Dickens visited in 1842 and wrote that the system was "cruel and wrong," inflicting suffering "which no man has a right to inflict upon his fellow creature."
The prison eventually abandoned solitary confinement but continued operating until 1971, housing over 75,000 inmates during its 142-year history. Among them were some of America's most notorious criminals.
Al Capone's Ghost Story
Al Capone was imprisoned here in 1929 for carrying a concealed weapon. His cell in Cellblock 7 was luxuriously furnished with rugs, fine furniture, and a radio - privileges no other inmate received. But even surrounded by luxury, Capone couldn't escape his demons.
Guards reported hearing him screaming at night, begging "Jimmy" to leave him alone. The "Jimmy" was James Clark, one of the seven men murdered in the St. Valentine's Day Massacre that Capone had ordered. Fellow inmates confirmed Capone was genuinely terrified, pacing his cell and pleading with someone they couldn't see.
Whether Capone was haunted by an actual ghost or his own guilt, the terror he experienced in Cellblock 7 became one of the prison's most enduring stories.
The Hauntings
Eastern State has been investigated by virtually every major paranormal team in America. The most commonly reported phenomena include:
Cellblock 12
Cackling and shadowy figures are reported more here than anywhere else in the prison. Visitors feel an overwhelming presence of being watched.
Cellblock 6
Shadowy forms dart across doorways. The sound of footsteps echoes through empty corridors. EVP recordings capture whispered voices.
The Guard Tower
A dark figure has been spotted in the guard tower when it's known to be empty. Multiple witnesses have reported it over decades.
Al Capone's Cell
Visitors report hearing faint music from Capone's radio and sensing an oppressive, anxious energy that's unique to this cell.
Famous Inmates
Al Capone (1929-1930)
The most famous gangster in American history. His luxurious cell and nightly screaming made Cellblock 7 legendary.
Willie Sutton
The gentleman bank robber who famously said he robbed banks "because that's where the money is." Attempted a tunnel escape in 1945.
Leo Callahan
The only inmate to successfully escape Eastern State and never be recaptured.
What's There Now
Visit Eastern State Penitentiary
Address: 2027 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Status: Museum and historic site, open for tours year-round
Highlights: Daytime historical tours, audio guide narrated by Steve Buscemi, "Terror Behind the Walls" Halloween attraction (one of America's largest), and paranormal investigation nights.
Tip: Al Capone's restored cell in Cellblock 7 is a must-see. The crumbling cellblocks are eerily beautiful for photography.
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