Moundsville Prison

The first phase of Moundsville prison was completed in 1876, and included cells for the prisoners. Later inmates even performed that stereotypical job we always tend to see in Hollywood films,. They even owned and operated a 200 acre farm nearby, as well as a small coal mine. The people of West Virginia had pushed their worst criminals into a box complete with guards and walls and metal bars. But that didn't mean it was safe.