After West Virginia seceded from Virginia in 1863, the new state had to quickly address the need for public institutions. In 1866, an act of the state legislature directed the purchase of a plot of land in Moundsville for the state penitentiary. Moundsville was chosen as the site due to its proximity to the then-state capitol in Wheeling.
The North Wagon Gate was the first building of the complex to be constructed. It served as living quarters for the 150 inmates who worked to construct the state's second oldest public building. The hand-cut sandstone used to build the walls was quarried nearby.
The first phase of the West Virginia Penitentiary was completed in 1876 at a total cost of $363,061. The complex surrounded the North Wagon Gate and included north and south cellblock areas, an administration building and a home for the warden and his family located in the center towering 4-story section of the gothic structures.
The building extended 682 feet across the front and was engulfed by 24-foot high walls that are 6-feet in width at the base and tapered to 18 inches at the top. The facility opened for full operation in 1876 with 251 male inmates.
Once the construction of the Penitentiary was complete, the inmates were then focused on jobs that must be completed in order to support any community. A variety of industries were located within the walls of the prison including a blacksmith, wagon shop, carpentry shop, brickyard, stone yard, paint shop, tailor, bakery and hospital.
The first execution at the Penitentiary took place in 1899 when the state took over the responsibility from the countries. 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.
CAST~
Christina- FAILED
I personally was rooting for Christina since the start of the show. She seemed to handle herself very well when she was safety. But when she got to the Sugar Shack i knew she wasn't going to make it. Too bad she had to leave :(
Age: 21
resident of huntington beach, ca
student of witchcraft
Steve- mission completed ~ YES it is haunted
Was this guy ever afraid of anything? When he went to death row I didn't even see a dead of sweat or panic on him!I liked this person a lot, part of this just might be beacause his name is the same as mine!
21 years old
resident of bethel park, pa
graphic designer
Lauren- FAILED
At first I didn't like Lauren at first, but then when she had to pull the tarp off the electric chair I felt for her. That found be so hard to do! Man, if she completed that dare I don't think she would've had to do another one! Darn!
18 years old
resident of long island, ny
fashion student
Ariana- Mission Completed~ YES it is haunted
Hmmm. I felt that she had the easiest dares that were given, but i would've been happy with then! Being in Red Snyder's Cell would be really creepy!!!!
19 years old
resident of la canada, ca
film student
Ryan- Mission completed NO it is not haunted
This guy cracked me up so much. I was rollin' after he screamed like a girl after pulling the tarp off the electric chair. I would of freaked out also if i was in the infimary and i kept hearing sounds. The only thing i didn't like is when he said the place wasn't haunted. He was so lying!
18 years old
resident of montclair, ca
coreographer
Derek- Mission completed ~ NO it is not haunted
This was the only one out of the cast i didn't like. Why? After going through the "hole" and then saying the place isn't haunted. Nuff' said.
24 years old
resident of chicago, il
bartender
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