Abandoned Places and Urban Exploration

Eastern State Penitentiary (ESP) was designed to be a scary place.  Located in Philadelphia, this abandoned prison turned uber-cool museum has been kept in a state of “preserved ruin”, meaning no significant attempts have been made at renovation or restoration. The empty and ever looming guard towers, rusting doors, crumbling cell blocks and vaulted, water-stained ceilings make this veritable fortress an intimidating place for visitors.  It would be easy to assume that the spooky atmosphere could easily be playing ghostly tricks on the imagination, but those who have experienced strange events at ESP say that it is one of the most haunted places on the planet.

Cellblock 15: Death Row

Rumors about ghosts started to echo through the prison long before the penitentiary was closed down.  Almost anyone who spent time at ESP was certain that something supernatural was occurring behind those foreboding walls.  Guards often spoke of the sounds of unexplained footsteps in the corridors, pacing feet in cells, eerie wails emanating from the dark corners of the complex and dark shadows that resembled people flitting past darkened doorways.

Because of its long history, gloomy atmosphere and ominous appearance, ESP has been often used as a location for TV shows and films about the paranormal. Paramount Pictures used parts of the old prison for the filming of TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN.   In the Brad Pitt/ Bruce Willis film TWELVE MONKEYS, it was the setting for a mental hospital.  ESP is a favorite spot for photographers, music videos and has inspired several video games.

GHOST HUNTER’S catch a “ghost” on film at Eastern State Penitentiary  on a walkway just like the one pictured above….WORTH WATCHNG!  Less than one minute long.

GHOST HUNTER’S “GHOST” VIDEO

Eastern State Penitentiary is located on Fairmount Avenue in Philadelphia, just a few blocks away from The Philadelphia Museum of Art and The Franklin Institute.

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Cheri Sundra © 2012
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