history of moundsville penitentary?

Question

where can i find the best information on the history of this place?

Answer 1

this place is right across the river from where i live. it is so cool. it is pretty creepy, but i never experienced anything paranormal when i was there (i worked in steel building behind the prison). i thought i heard some noises from in there as i walked to my car. but it could have been anything. there is a website for the prison with some history on it.

Answer 2

History of Moundsville Penitentiary:
Built in 1876, the Moundsville Penitentiary was West Virginia's Maximum Security Prison. The first execution at the Penitentiary took place in 1899 when the state took over the responsibility from the counties. During the history of the prison, a total of 94 men were executed. From 1899-1949, eighty-five men were hung. From 1951-1959, nine men were electrocuted.
The cells are seven feet long, seven feet high and four feet wide and housed up to 5 prisoners at peak capacity.

The final years of the West Virginia Pen were by marked by many disturbances including riots and escapes.
The prison population peaked in early 1960's with a total of 2,000 but as new prisons were built, by the time the facility closed, the population had decreased to 600-700.

In 1986, the West Virginia Supreme Court ruled that the Penitentiary's 5 x 7 cells were cruel and unusual punishment. The Penitentiary closed its doors in 1995, and the majority of the inmates were moved to the new Mt. Olive Correctional Complex in Mt. Olive, West Virginia.