1. WV State Penitentiary Moundsville, WV
“Where History Meets Mystery”

2. Well-known Areas and Associated Places

3. North Wagon Gate *Used as a territorial prison BEFORE the Civil War
*150 inmates were housed here during the first phase of construction
*Hangings took place in the Northern area but not in the actual Wagon Gate

4. Outside Wall *24 feet high with five more feet below the surface
*Six feet wide at the base then tapers to 18 inches wide at the top

5. Outside Wall (continued)
*Built from hand cut sandstone that was quarried nearby
* Had a guard tower with an inside stairwell at each corner

6. North Hall or North Walk
*Housed the worst of the worst (usually for crimes committed inside the prison)
*Inmates here spent 23 hours a day in their cells
*The entire area is enclosed by chain link fencing

7. Psych Ward
*Insanity was not a common defense during the years of operation
*Those with mental illnesses (both pre-existing or developed during incarceration) were sent here

8. Sugar Shack
*Recreational area with only one entrance/exit and no windows
*Many crimes against other inmates were committed here
*Currently labeled as a site of increased levels of paranormal activity

9. The “Hole” *Solitary confinement
*Inmates were usually sent here on orders from the warden
Deputy Warden Paul Kirby

10. New Dining Hall
*Promised to inmates by Governor Arch Moore during negotiations to end the riot in 1986
*Only section of the prison that has heat or air conditoning

11. Whitegate Cemetery
*Located on Tom’s Run Road about 4 miles from the penitentiary
*The unclaimed bodies of deceased inmates were buried here

12. Other Facilities
*The Mt. Olive Correctional Complex in Fayette Co. became the new maximum security prison in WV
*The Northern Regional Jail was built one mile away from the prison on 12th Street in Moundsville, WV

13. West Virginia University
*It is a MYTH that Moundsville was given the choice of having WVU or the WV State Penitentiary located within it’s city limits

14. Prison Life

15. Cells were 5 ft x 7 ft and often had three inmates assigned to one cell
When three inmates were assigned to a cell, two slept in the bunk beds and the third slept on the floor with a mattress P R I S O N
L I F E

16. P R I S O N
L I F E
Visitation with loved ones could be either face to face in the same room or separated by a glass wall using a telephone to talk
The type of visitation allowed was dependent upon the inmate’s behavior

17. P R I S O N
L I F E
Inmates could hold jobs inside the penitentiary during their incarceration
Meals usually consisted of meat, potatoes, beans, biscuits, etc.

18. P R I S O N L I F E Escapes did happen
Some methods of escape included climbing over walls, exiting through the North Wagon Gate in vehicles, digging tunnels under walls and overpowering guards and walking out the front door

19. P R I S O N
L I F E
1992 Escape
-Inmates dug a tunnel that was 32 feet long
-The tunnel started in the prisoner run greenhouse
-While digging, the tunnel was well concealed by plants and supplies
-The greenhouse was closed shortly after the escape

20. P R I S O N
L I F E
At one time, the prison was on the Department of Justice’s Top 10 list of most violent correctional facilities

21. Movies and TV Shows

22. Movies and TV Shows The Night of the Hunter
Fool’s Parade (Was never officially released because Anne Baxter did not like how she looked in the film)
Out of the Furnace (portions)

23. Movies and TV Shows Best Places to Visit Allegheny Ghost Hunters
Anderson Cooper 360 News Show

24. Movies and TV Shows Globe Trekker Ghost Adventures
Paranormal Investigations

25. Current Information and Happenings

26. Travelocity Award-Top Inside Spot to Visit in the US
Info and happenings
The Moundsville Economic Development Council (MEDC) is celebrating 20 years of mangaing operations at the WV State Penitentiary
Travelocity Award-Top Inside Spot to Visit in the US

27. Two of our tour guides are former corrections officers
Info and happenings
Your 90 minute day tour includes the contact and non-contact visitation areas, inmate created art throughout the facility, the new dining hall, North Hall and much more
Two of our tour guides are former corrections officers

28. Info and happenings
We highly encourage you to take pictures so talk with your teachers about whether or not you will be allowed to use the camera on your cell phone
Remember, there is no heat or air conditioning in the facility so please dress appropriately for the season of your visit

29. Info and happenings Additional Tours:
History Mystery Mondays (June, July and August only)-includes the Sugar Shack, Psych Ward and “Hole”/open to all ages
2. Thriller Thursdays (June, July and August only)-includes 90 minute guided tour then 90 minutes of free roaming/must be 15 or older

30. Additional Tours (continued):
Info and happenings
Additional Tours (continued):
3. Twilight Tours (select Fridays and Saturdays)-same as Thriller Thursdays but open to anyone over 13 year old
4. Photography Tour (3rd Monday of each month April through November)-unguided tour with access to areas that are normally off limits

31. Additional Tours (continued):
Info and happenings
Additional Tours (continued):
5. Private Paranormal Investigations (select Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays)-six hour overnight stay that includes a 90 minute guided tour then free roaming time/MUST be 18 or older

32. Additional Tours (continued):
Info and happenings
Additional Tours (continued):
6. Ghost Adventures (select Saturdays)- seven hour overnight stay that includes a 90 minute guided tour then free roaming time/MUST be 18 or older

33. Elizabethtown Festival
Info and happenings
Other Events:
Zombie Walk
Dungeon of Horrors
Mock Prison Riot
Princess Tea
Superhero Party
Elizabethtown Festival
AND…

35. Don’t forget to visit us at www. wvpentours
Don’t forget to visit us at for additional history and all the latest information and happenings!!