Haunted History: The Old State Penitentiary of Boise Idaho
The History and Haunting of the Old State Penitentiary in Boise Idaho
Boise, ID 83712
United States of America
If you are ever in the area and would like to try your hand at supernatural investigating the following information may be helpful to you.
The Old Idaho State Penitentiary located at 2445 Old Penitentiary Road is a well-known local historical land mark and haunt. Tours of the prison grounds and buildings are offered daily, with the exception of certain holidays.
Originally built as a territorial prison in 1870, it consisted of a single cell-house. Over the years, in order to house the growing number of convicts it became necessary to expand. The prisoners constructed a great deal of the prison facilities themselves. Buildings were added and additions were made, including death row, a gallows and a solitary confinement area known as Siberia. The convicts also quarried the sandstone and built the high wall with guard towers that surrounds the prison facilities and grounds.
While in operation more than 13,000 convicts passed through the Old Idaho State Penitentiary. This includes the 215 women who were incarcerated there. Over the years prisoners rioted in protest to the sub-standard living conditions and over crowding. In 1973 the last riot took place, leaving in its wake over $100,000.00 in damages to buildings and grounds. The penitentiary was closed December 3, 1973.
The Old Idaho State Penitentiary is one of Boise's most proclaimed haunts. It is no wonder considering the violence, pain and oppression of those who were incarcerated and those who died there at the gallows.
Manifestations of ghostly activity are frequent, both in the buildings and on the surrounding grounds. The majority of people who visit the penitentiary will tell you there is a feeling of dread and oppressing sorrow that grows within them as they near the executioner's chambers.
Staff members and visitors alike have reported hearing footsteps echoing on the catwalks and stairs. Ghostly voices have often been heard. Many who tour the Old Idaho State Penitentiary have said they felt as though they were being touched, brushed against or pushed by something or someone, an unseen entity.
Most who enter the penitentiary say they have the feeling they are being watched. Maybe they are. It is not uncommon to hear reports of apparitions and shadowy figures being sighted.
Even if during your tour of the Old Idaho State Penitentiary you do not hear the ghostly voices and footsteps. Even if you do not see the haunting apparitions that others claim to have seen. I know from experience, that you will feel the energies of the past that is contained within the solid sandstone walls of the prison grounds, and you will know you are not alone.
Published by L. L. Ford
Born in 1963, Currently living in Idaho. Out to tackle the world, it's an on going process. Self educated writer and artist. View profile
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8 Comments
Post a CommentI have to say since I have last been there my life has been changed. At the age of nine I went to the Old State Penn for a field trip and during a tour I found more than opportunity to scare a few girls. While passing the gallows I noticed a quick blue flash of light right as a shadow of a man appeared to be hanging. At first I thought it was an actual person so I started to freak out. When the group came to see what was happening the shadow had disappeared and the noose was swaying. It wouldn't be in till a couple years later when Ghost Adventures caught the exact apparition I saw that I would decide to start investigating the paranormal. And I have been interested in investigating there ever since. If anyone can help me with that my email is internatiolphenomena@gmail.com
my friends sister went up to table rock at 2am and when she was passing the penitentiary she was being chocked and after that her friends shined a flashlight on her neck and there were red large hand prints
yea i went there too for a field trip in the 4th grade.. and i sisnt know it waz haunted neither...
After working in Long Bay Prison for over 20 years, something stays behind long after the inmates have gone.4 Wing in Long Bay Prison Sydney Australia has a Gallows Post and Trap Door although sealed shut.There are two cells at the end of the top landing next to these Gallows that inmates say are haunted.Inmates have awoken to a feeling of being choked.
hmm, i live in mountain home, in 4th grade my class got taken up there for a field trip, didn't know it was haunted at the time. only thing as a kid there that scared me were all the bees, haha. but its cool to know I've been somewhere that there are documented hauntings, :)
Our paranormal group had investigated the site on numerous occasions but it was during an evening investigation that we obtained some of the most complelling evidence we have to date. In Siberia that night, we obtained EVPs of a woman saying "bye,bye" to us, the sound of fingernails scratching the wall behind us, and a man's raspy voice saying "get me out of here!" In death row I was "rushed" by an unseen being following us seeing a shadow quickly departing the gallows room. At that time all of our equipment went dead. This was by far the most active visit we had to date.
my wife and did full digital voice recordings on 10/21/09 at the old idaho pen and caught voices whispering,a woman screaming out please help me,at one point a woman said hi to us in solitary,and in death row we heard the trap door slam open and even a deep voice of a man telling us no and growing at us and so much more all done from a DVR. some very terrifying some just breathing and we were there from noon till 5pm NOT AT NIGHT.idaho old pen.contact us at:www.gmgann@yahoo.com if you want copies of audio (free) defenitly a place to come for a visit.
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