creepy – Travels With Ackbar

Eastern State Penitentiary

Philadelphia’s Eastern State Penitentiary is a former prison that stressed the reformation of it’s inmates over punishment. Prisoners were completely separated from each other and never knew who was in the cell next to them. They lived in complete isolation every day, never seeing another living soul, eating, sleeping, showering and exercising alone. In reality, the guards developed cruel and hideous tortures, to show their dominance over the prison population.

In 1966, the prison was designated a National Historic Landmark. By then end of it’s life as a prison it had abandoned the solitary concept and prisoners lived as a community until it was abandoned in 1971. One can only imagine what kind of terrors are imbedded in it’s aging walls.

The old prison has found new life as a movie set. The decaying building has been featured in Terry Gilliam’s TWELVE MONKEYS and in 2008, TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN.

The possibility of actual ghosts still haunting the prison has led to paranormal investigators conducting numerous explorations of the site. GHOST ADVENTURES, GHOST HUNTERS, MTv’s FEAR and Great Britain’s MOST HAUNTED LIVE have all produced episodes at Eastern State.

The building is in a state of preserved decay. Areas that are less safe for the average tourist are off limits.

Among the hauntings witnessed are a shadow figure that quickly scoots away when approached and mysterious ghostly faces in Cellblock 4.

In addition to being a historical site, the building is also home to more than a dozen art installations. My favorite one was called GHOST CATS. Amongst the grounds and cells are sculptures of 39 cats, representing the colony of cats that had inhabited the prison since it was abandoned in 1971. Artist, Linda Brenner created the cats out of a clay that will slowly dissolve over time to represent the inevitable decaying of all living things.

Eastern State had it’s share of celebrity guests during it’s prime. “Slick Willie” Sutton, a bank robber known for over 50 robbieries. One of the unusual inmates was #C-2559, a dog named Pep. The story goes that Pennsylvania Governor Gifford Pinchot was sentenced to Eastern State for murdering his wife’s cherished cat.

Perhaps the most famous or infamous of Eastern State’s residents was Al Capone. He served his first prison term of 8 months, for possession of a concealed weapon, at Eastern State. His cell was quite comfortable compared to the others, he was allowed to decorate it himself with rugs, art and antiques.

Capone was also Eastern State’s most famous paranormal victim. He claimed that he was haunted by the ghost of James Clark, the brother-in-law of Capone’s rival, murdered in the St. Valentine’s Day massacre. Fellow inmates reported hearing Capone screams nightly, begging “Jimmy” to go away and leave him alone.

Is Eastern State Penitentiary haunted ? I can honestly say that after visiting, you certainly get a feeling of the oppressive isolation and despair felt by the inmates. EVP’s have captured disembodied voices and more than one person has seen ghostly figures in the Guard Tower. At least for a few days a year, Eastern State is definitely haunted and a scary experience is guaranteed.

“Terror Behind The Walls” happens every Halloween. In 2012, the prison will be the host to 6 different haunted experiences. You can check it out at http://www.easternstate.org/halloween/preview

October 7, 2012October 7, 2012 by janoseagle

Boston: City of Angels and Demons

I grew up in and around Boston. I went to Emerson College in Boston and worked for various theatre companies around Boston.

One thing I love to do when I go home for a visit is to walk around the city. I always find something new and unique to photograph.

For a city as old as Boston, it can be magical in broad daylight.

High above Boylston Street, this Angelic face watches the masses of people below.

A winged Lion stands guard over the old Armory.

The Masks of Comedy and Tragedy adorn the Emerson Majestic Theatre. It’s hard to believe that this was once a run down movie house showing martial arts flicks. Now it’s been restored to it’s original glory.

These Gargoyles stare out from their perches high above Wall St.

I imagine that they come to life at night when the city is still and all of us humans have gone to bed.

September 24, 2012September 24, 2012 by janoseagle

Savannah

The city of Savannah has long been considered one of our most haunted cities.

The crisp fall air sends a shiver down your spine as we encounter some of Savannah’s residents.

The Kehoe House once was home to an unfortunate pair of twins. Their voices can be heard and on occassion, if you’re lucky, a door may open by itself.

A stately southern city, ornate and fancifully dressed, is home to legends and heroes.

Pirates once called this place home. Legend says that the inspiration for R.L. Stevenson’s Treasure Island came form here. Some say the demented Captain Flint died screaming for more rum.

Another city exists just outside city limits. One surrounded by majestic oaks draped in spanish moss.

The Garden of Good and Evil is a place where living and dead commune.

The residents of Bonventure Cemetaryinclude founding fathers, patriots and even composer Johnny Mercer.

Once the site of a grand southern plantation, during a racous dinner party the house caught fire. As any good host would do, the partiers grabbed their plates and silverware and moved outdoors, as the house burned down to the ground the party continued on. Listen closely and you may hear the sounds of revellers smashing their wine glasses against the trees.

Some believe they are still very much living around us.

Lives cut short, can leave the soul wanting to hang around. Some say that the life sized statue weeps.

Don’t be surprised if you feel as if you are being watched.

September 6, 2008July 7, 2012 by janoseagle

Haunts of Charleston

The streets of America’s ancient cities are populated with the living and the dead. Such is the case of Charleston, South Carolina

City streets are prowled by the living during the day, and by the dead at night

A city full of secret gardens

and theatrical nightmares

deserted alleyways are home to re-enactments of death

Churches provide solace and haven

Cities of the dead exist side by side

Waiting for the undead to visit

August 31, 2008July 7, 2012 by janoseagle

In Search of the Yeti

The land of enchantment holds both magic and terror. The abandoned remains of temples, offer clues to the long lost inhabitants. But the question remains as to why they left.