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The penitentiary was founded in 1829 by Quakers. It was an old fashioned prison that wanted to reform its inmates through isolation and physical labor. At the time it was built it was the most expensive building ever built in the United States. Since it was built an estimated 300 prisons have been built copying its unique wagon wheel floor plan. It was a ground breaking prison in many ways. Over the years it has housed some of the countries most famous criminals including Willie Sutton and Al Capone. Today the prison serves as a tourist attraction as it was abandoned in 1971. If you are interested in visiting the prison you have many options. The prison is open from April to November. You can go on a public daytime tour, you can schedule a private daytime group tour or you could visit the prison on a Terror Behind the Walls tour. This Halloween nighttime tour is one of the most interesting ways to visit the prison if you can handle it. For more information on the prison you can call their information line at 214-236-3300 or visit the prison at 2124 Fairmount Avenue. |
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