Eastern State Penitentiary (Part Two)

With this post I will show you some of the unrestored portions of this eerie facility.

Some of the original and bed frames still exist as shown in the above photo. The plaster in this cell is actually in fairly good shape compared to some portions of this facility.

An original old cabinet sits on the wall of the corridor of cell block 1 and was probably used for washrags or towels for the inmates.

Old cast iron ornate radiators still grace the corridors also.

The inmates in the cells had exposed pipe radiators and cement toilets which were flushed by filling up a pail and pouring it down the toilet. They were only allowed one flush a day so you could only imagine what these cell blocks smelled like on hot humid days. It is interesting to note that this prison was so advanced for it’s time that it had running water and central heat before the White House did.

This is a view down cell block 2 and you can clearly see the deterioration of this crumbling facility.

Some shadows from the overhead windows shining on the distressed plaster.

Photography

Upon a Stool

Robyn Graham Photography

Upon a Stool

Once upon a time

I sat alone

With nothing more than cold, damp stone.

†

Upon a stool

I sat and sat

And thought about

The fool

I’d been.

†

At times I’d shout

But no one came

Much to my chagrin.

†

I wasn’t meant

To be let out.

†

There was no doubt

That I’d been bad,

And caused others

To be very sad.

†

Those with clout

Set my punishment,

And so I sat

Amongst the stone.

†

All alone.

†

Yes,

There were times

I thought that

I’d go mad.

†

But then the light

Would shine bright

And hope restored

my inner lad.

Upon a Stool

“Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord. There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.”…

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Photography

A Day in Solitary Confinement

Here are some outstanding photos and wonderful words from a fellow blogger Robyn Graham on the same subject as I posted today. I hope you will visit her site.

Robyn Graham Photography

From cell block nine

I am released,

For a narrow window of time.

†

Cell Block Nine

Narrow Window of Time

With burlap covering my eyes

And my hands cuffed behind my back,

The guard knows I

Cannot attack.

†

With confidence he leads the way.

Not a word do I dare say.

†

My senses tell me I’m in a long corridor

But we have not yet passed through a door.

†

A Long Corridor

Door

When suddenly the guard’s grasp

Upon my arm adjusts

And I hear the rusty sound of metal.

†

I recognize the sound,

My memory serves me well

Inside this prison’s hell.

†

Prison’s Hell

I feel a hand now press my head,

This is my cue to bend.

†

I’m told to take another step

And with that step

I fear the place I may be near.

†

But finally the guard decides

For…

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Entertainment, Music, Photography

Have You Ever Seen The Rain ?

This is a post dedicated to a fellow blogger named West :) This song dates back before her time but I on the other hand remember when this song was released (not that I consider myself really old, just plain old). Anyway here is a performance of “Have You Ever Seen The Rain” performed by the great John Fogerty. I hope you enjoy, and I also hope you check out her blog for some great photography – http://west517.wordpress.com

Photography

Eastern State Penitentiary (Part One)

For the next two and a half days I will be posting images I had taken at the Eastern State Penitentiary, on a recent trip to Philadelphia. There will be five posts total including this one with multiple photos. Eastern State was the worlds first true penitentiary and it was designed to inspire true regret for its inmates. Eastern State was operational from 1829 to 1971 and has held some of Americas most notorious criminals including “Slick Willie” Sutton and “Scarface” Al Capone. Currently the prison is being restored a little at a time and is run by donations. If anyone is in the Philadelphia area or plans to visit this area this prison should be one of top the places on your list to visit. It is also the prison that was featured in the television show “Ghost Hunters” because it is said to be haunted.

Here is a link for a more complete history – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_State_Penitentiary

Behind these high stone walls is a place that I would never want to have to serve time.

As you pass through the iron gate you are immediately faced with a feeling of regret and being well contained.

Faced with the high stone walls and guard towers there is very little chance of escape. From here on you will be watched constantly.

As we enter into cell block 1 you will notice the lack of traditional bars. These are what they called escape proof cells.

Each inmate had is own cell and this was designed so that they would have loads of time to reflect on whatever crime or bad deed they had committed (sort of like solitary confinement only with daylight).

The above photo reflects a completely restored cell as it would be back in the days when this prison was operational.

In this afternoons post I will show some of the unrestored sections of this facility in part two.

M	T	W	T	F	S	S
			1	2	3	4
5	6	7	8	9	10	11
12	13	14	15	16	17	18
19	20	21	22	23	24	25
26	27	28	29	30	31

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Upon a Stool

Once upon a time

I sat alone

With nothing more than cold, damp stone.

†

Upon a stool

I sat and sat

And thought about

The fool

I’d been.

†

At times I’d shout

But no one came

Much to my chagrin.

†

I wasn’t meant

To be let out.

†

There was no doubt

That I’d been bad,

And caused others

To be very sad.

†

Those with clout

Set my punishment,

And so I sat

Amongst the stone.

†

All alone.

†

Yes,

There were times

I thought that

I’d go mad.

†

But then the light

Would shine bright

And hope restored

my inner lad.

Share this:

From cell block nine

I am released,

For a narrow window of time.

†

Cell Block Nine

Narrow Window of Time

With burlap covering my eyes

And my hands cuffed behind my back,

The guard knows I

Cannot attack.

†

With confidence he leads the way.

Not a word do I dare say.

†

My senses tell me I’m in a long corridor

But we have not yet passed through a door.

†

A Long Corridor

Door

When suddenly the guard’s grasp

Upon my arm adjusts

And I hear the rusty sound of metal.

†

I recognize the sound,

My memory serves me well

Inside this prison’s hell.

†

Prison’s Hell

I feel a hand now press my head,

This is my cue to bend.

†

I’m told to take another step

And with that step

I fear the place I may be near.

†

But finally the guard decides

For…

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