Eastern State Penitentiary

Eastern State Penitentiary

Type	Historic site, museum
Address	2027 Fairmount Avenue
Map	View on Google Maps
Neighborhood	Fairmount
Phone	(215) 236-3300
Website	Official site
Established	1829
Founder	Pennsylvania Legislature
Owner	Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, Inc.
Hours	Wed-Sun 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (seasonal variations)
Products	Historic tours, exhibits, Halloween events
Status	Museum (prison closed 1971)

Eastern State Penitentiary(215) 236-3300https://www.easternstate.org2027 Fairmount AvenuePhiladelphiaPAUS

Eastern State Penitentiary is a former prison and current historic site located at 2027 Fairmount Avenue in the Fairmount neighborhood. Operational from 1829 to 1971, the prison was once the most famous and expensive prison in the world, pioneering the "separate system" of incarceration that influenced prison design globally. Today, it operates as a museum offering tours of the crumbling cellblocks, exhibits on criminal justice, and the annual "Halloween Nights" event.

The prison's striking Gothic Revival architecture, designed by John Haviland, was intended to inspire penitence in criminals through its imposing design. Its wagon-wheel floor plan and vaulted cellblocks became the model for over 300 prisons worldwide. Notable inmates included bank robber Willie Sutton and Chicago crime boss Al Capone, whose reconstructed cell remains a popular attraction.

History

Origins and Philosophy

Eastern State Penitentiary was conceived by Philadelphia Quakers and social reformers who believed that solitary confinement would lead criminals to genuine penitence—hence the word "penitentiary." The Pennsylvania Legislature authorized construction in 1821, and the prison opened on October 25, 1829.

The prison pioneered the Pennsylvania System (also called the "separate system"), which mandated complete isolation of prisoners from one another. Each inmate lived, worked, and exercised alone in their cell, which included a private outdoor exercise yard. Prisoners wore hoods when moving through the facility to prevent any contact with other inmates.

Construction and Architecture

Architect John Haviland designed the prison in the Gothic Revival style, with castle-like walls and towers meant to convey the solemn nature of the institution. The design cost approximately $780,000—making it the most expensive building in America at the time of construction.

The prison featured a revolutionary radial floor plan with seven cellblocks extending from a central rotunda like spokes of a wheel. This design allowed guards in the central hub to observe all corridors simultaneously. Each cell measured approximately 8 by 12 feet with a 16-foot vaulted ceiling and included:

• Running water (rare even in the White House at the time)
• Flush toilet (decades before they were common)
• Central heating
• Skylight ("Eye of God" to encourage reflection)
• Private exercise yard

Famous Inmates

Al Capone

Chicago crime boss Al Capone was incarcerated at Eastern State from May 18, 1929, to March 17, 1930, on charges of carrying a concealed deadly weapon. Capone's cell was notably luxurious, reportedly furnished with fine rugs, antique furniture, and a radio—privileges obtained through his influence and wealth.

Capone's cell in Cellblock 7 has been reconstructed to reflect its appearance during his incarceration and remains one of the most visited spots in the prison.

Willie Sutton

Bank robber Willie Sutton, famous for allegedly saying he robbed banks "because that's where the money is," was imprisoned at Eastern State multiple times and escaped in 1945 through a tunnel that took 12 prisoners over a year to dig.

Decline and Closure

By the 20th century, the separate system had been abandoned due to cost and concerns about psychological harm to prisoners. Eastern State became an overcrowded conventional prison. After 142 years of operation, the prison closed on April 20, 1971, when its remaining inmates were transferred to State Correctional Institution Graterford.

Preservation and Museum

After closure, the prison sat abandoned and deteriorating for two decades. In 1994, it reopened for limited tours organized by the Eastern State Penitentiary Task Force. The site now operates as a full museum, preserving its "stabilized ruin" aesthetic rather than fully restoring the structures.

Visiting Eastern State Penitentiary

Tours

The museum offers several tour options:

• Hands-On History Tour: Interactive guided tour exploring prison life and architecture
• Audio Tour: Self-guided tour narrated by Steve Buscemi
• Night Tours: Flashlight tours on select evenings
• Specialty Tours: Focused tours on architecture, history, or specific themes

Exhibits

Permanent and rotating exhibits address:

• The history of the prison and its inmates
• Criminal justice reform and mass incarceration
• The prison's architectural influence
• Art installations responding to themes of justice and confinement

Halloween Nights

Each fall, Eastern State hosts Halloween Nights (formerly "Terror Behind the Walls"), one of the nation's largest and most elaborate Halloween events. The event transforms portions of the prison into haunted attractions with professional theatrical effects.

The event typically runs from late September through early November. Tickets sell out quickly; advance purchase is recommended.

Hours and Admission

• Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (check website for seasonal variations)
• Admission: Approximately $19-21 for adults (prices vary; check website)
• Discounts: Available for students, seniors, and Philadelphia residents

Getting There

• SEPTA Bus: Routes 7, 32, 33, 43, 48
• Street Parking: Available on surrounding blocks (metered and residential)
• Lot Parking: Limited paid parking nearby

Best Time to Visit

• Weekday mornings: Least crowded
• Avoid: Halloween season weekends (extremely crowded)
• Photography: Overcast days provide even lighting in the cellblocks

See Also

• Fairmount, Philadelphia
• Criminal Justice in Philadelphia
• Al Capone
• Historic Sites in Philadelphia
• Halloween in Philadelphia

External Links

• Eastern State Penitentiary Official Website
• Visit Philadelphia Guide
• National Park Service