Its reputation as one of the most haunted locations in the Midwest is a result of repeated reports of paranormal activity, but underneath its somber past lurks a deeper mystery.
You’ll come across eerie remnants of the past as you move through its dilapidated hallways, including unexplained footsteps, ghostly figures, and mysterious cold spots. The prison’s gruesome past of brutality, hangings, and unforgiving living circumstances continues to linger, attracting both ghost hunters and thrill-seekers.
Come along on a spine-tingling adventure as we investigate the eerie experiences that individuals daring enough to enter the decaying walls of the Missouri State Penitentiary have claimed.
History of Missouri State Penitentiary
Initial Construction
An haunting witness to a turbulent and sinister history are the abandoned remnants of the Missouri State Penitentiary.
The jail was built in the early 1830s to house the recently accepted state of Missouri and was designed by architect John Haviland. In March 1836, it began operations concurrently with the fall of the Alamo in Texas.
One warden, one guard, fifteen inmates, and the foreman of the brick-making enterprise made up the jail population at first. The majority of the convicts were housed for theft, and they worked as bricklayers.
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Famous Prisoners
Throughout its existence, the Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP) has been home to some notorious prisoners, giving it an interesting past.
- Robert Berdella, a deranged person most known for his horrific crimes of rape, torture, and serial murders, was one of the most well-known.
- Edward Charles “Pretty Boy” Floyd, who was notorious for having taken part in multiple robberies, was also inside its boundaries.
- Apart from that, the MSP had previously housed Emma Goldman, an anarchist imprisoned on draft conspiracy accusations.
- Carl Austin Hall and Bonnie Heady are responsible for the horrific kidnapping and murder of little Bobby Greenlease, which represents another dark chapter in the story.
- In addition, Charles Ray Hatcher, a terrifying serial killer who claimed sixteen lives in a span of twelve years, was imprisoned there.
The MSP’s history will never be the same because of these people, who personified the worst aspects of human depravity and wickedness.
Closure of the Prison
Many injuries, several fatalities, and a significant prisoner revolt in 1954 befell the facility. The “bloodiest 47 acres in America” was how Time Magazine described it. The MSP used to be a well-maintained, independent town despite its dilapidated surroundings. In 2004, the Jefferson City Correctional Center took its place once it ultimately closed.
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Unusual Experiences and Paranormal Activities
The penitentiary’s hallways are often haunted by ghostly apparitions, according to guides and visitors. Witnesses have reported feeling a tangible sense of an otherworldly presence, seeing ghostly figures in various locations, and hearing strange noises reverberating down the hallways.
Jenny Switzer, a longtime resident and tour guide with a strong bond with the jail, is one of the knowledgeable guides. Switzer has guided thousands of people on excursions that explore history and the paranormal—some of them even spending the night—and has had multiple close encounters with the paranormal.
She has experienced unexplained stabs to her back in the absence of anybody else, as well as the distinct sound of coins hitting the cement floor in the absence of a visible source.
The apparitions seen in Housing Unit 3’s lower level are especially noteworthy and contribute to the prison’s status as a hotspot for paranormal activity.
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To Conclude
The terrifying remnant of a bygone era is the Missouri State Penitentiary. Its collapsing walls mutter tales of cruelty, hopelessness, and lives irrevocably changed.
The possibility of seeing ghosts and thrill-seekers lends an extra element of mystery to the experience for those who venture inside.
Whether you think ghosts exist or not, there’s no denying that the penitentiary’s past has an impact. Thus, if you happen to be in Jefferson City, think about stopping by this eerie site to learn more about Missouri’s sinister past.
