The former West Virginia Penitentiary is a gothic-style fortress situated in the heart of historic Moundsville, West Virginia. Moundsville is located in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, near the city of Wheeling. The structure, which has been placed on the National Historic Register, encompasses over ten acres of ground and was the second public building constructed by the newly formed state of West Virginia after the Civil War. The Gothic Revival style of architecture was popular in America from 1840-1880, for both domestic
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West Virginia State Penitentiary The West Virginia State Penitentiary in Moundsville was the state's first...
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West Virginia State Penitentiary
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One of the prisoners, a "trustie," built a lifelike life-size Indian...
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This was the prison's cafeteria. Built after the last prison riot...
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This is what's left of the prison's kitchen.
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West Virginia State Penitentiary
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This is the part of the prison that housed the administrative offices and the...
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West Virginia Penitentiary guard tower
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The stone walls are 5 feet thick at the base, tapering to 2½ feet at the...
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In 1863, West Virginia seceded from Virginia at the height of the...
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West Virginia State Penitentiary
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West Virginia State Penitentiary
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West Virginia Penitentiary guard tower
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The first hangings were believed to take place at the first building...
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The penitentiary was originally built for 480 prisoners, but by the early...
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North Hall where the worst of the worst criminals spent 22 hours per day in...
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