Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Of course, there’s going to be a prison on the list. But this isn’t just any old prison. The castle-like Penitentiary took solitary confinement to a whole new level when it was built in 1829. Prisoners had to live alone, eat alone, and even exercise alone.
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When an inmate left his cell, a guard would cover his head with a hood. By 191, the prison had to abandon its solitary system because of overcrowding. But the forms of punishment didn’t get any less severe before it finally closed down in 1970.
It’s now a tourist spot known for its museum and Halloween celebrations. Paranormal happenings have been reported, including disembodied laughter, pacing footsteps, and shadowy figures.