24 Eerie Abandoned Places with Dark Pasts and Even Darker Secrets

12. The Ghosts of the Eastern State Penitentiary

Philadelphia’s Eastern State Penitentiary, once the most famous prison in the world, now stands as a chilling reminder of the past. Opened in 1829, it was designed to inspire penitence through solitary confinement. The prison’s unique architectural design and harsh conditions have inspired numerous stories of hauntings and despair. Closed in 1971, it has since become a popular tourist attraction, with its crumbling cellblocks and eerie silence drawing visitors from around the world. The penitentiary’s history of reform and punishment offers a sobering reflection on the evolution of the criminal justice system and the human capacity for both cruelty and redemption.