1,016 Comments for Eastern State Penitentiary

I can just imagine someone sitting in the doorway in that wheelchair, waiting for someone to come and visit them perhaps. Very sad and lonely. Beautiful shot, though, Motts.

Incredible how that light looks to be in near-pristine condition while everything around it is horribly decayed.

For some reason, this hallway scares the shpoop outta me. lol.

I agree, thank you, Motts! I haven't visited your galleries in about half a year, and am pleased to see there is much to catch up on!

That was nice of the clouds to line up "just so" for this shot!

It needs a model train track around the perimeter, lol.

Wheelchairs don't change much over the years, do they? That one looks a lot like the one I'm sitting in right now- - no-frills model I'm scooting around in for a few weeks after some foot surgery. The photo looks to me like someone pushed the chair into that doorway to get it out of the way...is that a hallway beyond the door?

This room is typical of Eastern State. All cells look exactly the same, actually this one is pretty spacious I suspect they broke through the wall and combined two cells. The cement walls are different, the rest of the prison cells were plaster covered stone or possibly brick. Each cell has the same rolling door that was in the other photo, except they're generally painted black. All except one of the oldest cell blocks where the original meal pass through was the only opening into the interior of the building. The exits were out the back of the cell through private tiny exercise yards. The skylights are in every cell, lovingly nick-named "The eye of god" the design of the prison was to encourage self-reflection. Absolutely fascinating place.

the whole luxury of the cell thing reminds me of Good Fellas

The bed frames surprise me.
The ones in our local jail are a lot less friendly.

It's interesting that the walls aren't padded, but are hard instead. Maybe they thought if they were stupid enough to beat on the walls they deserved the pain?

Creepy.... I love it!! I have just become soo addicted to your galleries, Mott!

The parallel bars are used to assist with walking patients.....we still use them today! PS....I looove your site, Motts.

Does anyone know why green is such a prevalent color in old decaying buildings? Is there some sort of chemical reaction taking place in the paint that makes it that way, or was that particular shade of green popular in a certain time period? I've seen this exact color in many deserted houses in south western Minnesota...

it looks like its blocking you from getting out