Prison Tour Part 2

If you haven't taken the time to visit the link that I included yesterday then I will tell you that this prison was built in the late 1800's and has housed as many as 2,000 prisoners at one time. The living conditions in this prison were once considered good but as time passed by those conditions worsened which aggrevated prisoners to the point that they attempted and succeeded in many riots, prison breaks and murders thus earning the facility a rank in the Top Ten Most Violent Correctional Facilities in the U.S.

I'll begin today with the North Wagon Gate.

This large side entrance was built by the prisoners and led the way to the interior yards of the prison. Many shops were located in this area. At one time the prisoners worked within these walls doing various jobs. There was a carpentry shop, paint shop, wagon shop, a blacksmith, tailor, bakery, hospital and brickyard. I can remember when the inmates made our WV license plates behind those walls.

In the early years, before the electric chair was used, those sentenced to death were brought to the wagon gate to be hung from the top floor.

This is the northern watchtower where a guard would stand duty.

Back inside to the main entrance we go.
It's not a good picture but it was the best that I could get.

This is the wheel room at the front entrance to the prison.

Many of the rooms in this area are in ruins with ceilings full of holes, chipped paint on the walls etc.

Heading to the southern end of the prison we were lead to another block of cells, looking the same as those on the north side.

Looking out into the southern courtyard at the lil' Chapel.

My husband standing in front of the Chapel.

Two Southern Courtyard Views
Well I think that is enough photos for one post so I'll finish the tour tomorrow.
Hope you all are enjoying the last day of this weekend.