12 responses

  1. Dave
    March 26, 2012

    I enjoyed this. It’s always interesting to have a look into other peoples lives from the past. Good or bad.

    Al Capone’s cell in particular. I’m surprised they didn’t knock down the wall and make it a little bigger. His beds really small.

    I wonder how it would compare with todays cells if he was locked up?

    Reply

    • Leslie Koch
      March 29, 2012

      I’m sure Al Capone’s cell here is much more luxurious than every single prison cell in the US now. Check out those fringed lamps! 😉

      Reply

  2. Bicultural Mama
    March 26, 2012

    Wow, that’s an old school prison. Looks like a European one, wouldn’t think it was in Philly. Creepy pictures!

    Reply

    • Leslie Koch
      March 29, 2012

      Thanks for the comment! It’s funny– I lived in Philly for 4 years and never knew there was a crumbling prison in the middle of the city! It is definitely a strange place for it… which only adds to the charm 🙂

      Reply

  3. Kae Lani – A Travel Broad
    March 26, 2012

    WELCOME TO PHILADELPHIA!!!

    I love when travelers hit up my home town. I hope you enjoyed!

    Reply

    • Leslie Koch
      March 29, 2012

      Totally- I love Philly! It’s a great town and so close to my home base, NYC 🙂

      Reply

  4. Emily in Chile
    March 26, 2012

    I visited when I was in Philly seeing a friend, and I found the history pretty interesting. I definitely agree it’s haunting though.

    Reply

    • Leslie Koch
      March 29, 2012

      Glad you have visited Eastern State! It’s quite an experience. I was a couple months late for the Halloween haunted tours 😉

      Reply

  5. Stephen
    March 26, 2012

    Cool. I’ve passed by this penitentiary so many times. I’ll have to actually go inside next time I’m in Philadelphia. Great photos…looks coooold.

    Reply

    • Leslie Koch
      March 29, 2012

      You got it right– it was freezing during our visit! We were basically outside for 90 minutes– good thing we had winter coats. I even bought a furry Russian hat for the occasion 😉

      Reply

  6. ciki
    April 8, 2012

    I find prisons so depressing. KL had a great old prison right in the heart of town, which they tore down to make way for modernization and a bigger highway. Felt that was a real shame. the post is here if you wanna have a look!

    http://cumidanciki.com/2010/08/a-jailbird-called-heritage/

    Thanks for sharing this post – really good to know such information on Philadelphia!

    Reply

    • Leslie Koch
      April 8, 2012

      Thanks Ciki! Your article about the Kuala Lumpur prison is so interesting. How disappointing the Malaysian government didn’t preserve that piece of history, as was done in Philadelphia. Even though the methods at the Eastern State prison are shunned today– long-term solitary confinement is the main example– I think it’s important to learn about the prison’s history and the evolution of the criminal justice system.

      Reply

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