West Virginia’s story is long and complicated, filled with the ups and downs of the hard beauty of mountain life and mountain people. And woven in among those colorful ups and downs are the dark threads of tragedy and death: mining accidents. Logging accidents. Railroading accidents. Fires. Bridge collapses. Floods. Is it any surprise, then, that what is thought to be one of the most haunted places in the whole nation would be a place right here in West Virginia? Welcome to the West Virginia Penitentiary in Moundsville.

Long, dark hallways. Rusted, squeaking hinges. Peeling paint. Cobwebs. Ghosts.
West Virginia Penitentiary / Facebook
That's what you can expect to find at this massive West Virginia complex that's widely recognized as one of the most haunted prisons in America.
West Virginia Penitentiary / Facebook
It's the notorious West Virginia Penitentiary in Moundsville. It's a magnificent, Gothic style building, an unforgettable sight located just across the road from Moundsville's iconic Criel Mound.
West Virginia Penitentiary / Facebook
The West Virginia Penitentiary was actively used to house convicts from 1876 to 1995.
West Virginia Penitentiary / Facebook

Related Stories

One Of The Most Haunted Cemeteries In West Virginia Is Also The Most Beautiful

One Of The Most Haunted Cemeteries In West Virginia Is Also The Most Beautiful

 8 Truly Terrifying Ghost Stories That Prove Harpers Ferry Is The Most Haunted City In West Virginia

8 Truly Terrifying Ghost Stories That Prove Harpers Ferry Is The Most Haunted City In West Virginia

 Don't Discount These 3 Local Ghost Stories Until You've Explored The Town Of Shepherdstown, West Virginia Yourself

Don't Discount These 3 Local Ghost Stories Until You've Explored The Town Of Shepherdstown, West Virginia Yourself
With well over a century of active use, this prison has seen more than its share of unspeakable evil - both in the atrocities committed by some of the worst criminals in the country (who served time here) and the injustice experienced by any who were wrongly imprisoned within these walls.
West Virginia Penitentiary / Facebook
All of the dark threads of history found within these walls converge into one telling story - a story rife with the paranormal activity of restless spirits who call this old, abandoned prison home.
West Virginia Penitentiary / Facebook
One of the most paranormally active rooms on the tour is the "Sugar Shack." This was the indoor recreation room for prisoners.
West Virginia Penitentiary / Facebook
It's seen here during an early stage of construction.
Although no longer in use as a prison, the West Virginia Penitentiary is open to the public during certain times of year for tours and various events.
West Virginia Penitentiary / Facebook
Options include guided day tours, public ghost hunts, private paranormal tours, twilight tours, and more. Ironically, there's even an epic escape room!

Have you ever toured the famously haunted West Virginia Penitentiary? It’s a highly rated experience raved about by locals and tourists alike. Did you experience anything paranormal on your visit? Please share! To help tide you through until your next visit to what might be the most haunted place in West Virginia, head over to the West Virginia Penitentiary Facebook page to see what kind of special events the prison is hosting.

Do you love all things haunted and creepy? Check out our Ultimate Guide to all things haunted and creepy in West Virginia!

 

 

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Related Articles

Explore West Virginia

Featured Addresses
West Virginia Penitentiary, 818 Jefferson Ave, Moundsville, WV 26041, USA