The Ohio State Reformatory, situated in Mansfield, Ohio, is a historical prison with a rich and complex history that fascinates visitors.
Known for its distinctive architecture and role in popular culture, the reformatory has become a sought-after tourist destination with various tours and events available. This article will delve into the history, construction, notable events, incidents, and paranormal reputation of the Ohio State Reformatory.
History and Construction
Early Beginnings and the Decision to Build
The origins of the Ohio State Reformatory can be traced back to 1862 when the site served as a training camp for Civil War soldiers.
Named Camp Mordecai Bartley, it honored a Mansfield native who served as Ohio Governor in the 1840s. In 1867, Mansfield was chosen as the location for a new Intermediate Penitentiary, which would later be renamed the Ohio State Reformatory.
The city gathered $10,000 to acquire 30 acres of land for the prison, while the state procured an extra 150 acres of adjacent land for $20,000. The total cost of the facility amounted to $1,327,000.
Construction Delays and Architectural Vision
Construction of the reformatory began in 1886 and was completed in 1910, with delays caused by funding problems. The original architect, Levi T. Scofield, employed a combination of Queen Anne, Richardsonian Romanesque, and Victorian Gothic architectural styles to create a castle-like appearance for the prison.
Scofield believed this unique design would encourage inmates to turn their lives around and reconnect with their spirituality. F.F. Schnitzer, a well-known architect, was entrusted with the construction and completion of the building.
Opening and Early Years
On September 15, 1896, the reformatory welcomed 150 inmates, who were promptly assigned to work on the prison’s sewer system and the 25-foot-high stone wall enclosing the compound. Over time, the reformatory’s mission shifted from housing young, first-time offenders to serving as a more traditional prison.
Notable Events and Incidents
Arthur Lewis Glattke’s Tenure
Arthur Lewis Glattke served as the prison’s Superintendent from 1935 to 1959, and during his tenure, he introduced various reforms to improve the lives of the inmates.
Glattke was initially appointed as a political favor, but by all accounts, he was respected by professionals and inmates. Some of his reforms included piped-in radio music in the cell blocks and improvements in inmate education.
Tragic Deaths
Tragically, Glattke’s wife, Helen Bauer Glattke, died of pneumonia three days after a handgun accidentally discharged in their quarters. Glattke himself died of a heart attack in his office in 1959. Over 200 people died at the Ohio State Reformatory, including two guards killed during escape attempts.
Closure and Preservation Efforts
The reformatory continued until December 1990, when a federal court order shut it down because of overpopulation and cruel conditions.
Since then, most of the grounds and support buildings have been demolished, but the Mansfield Reformatory Preservation Society, formed in 1995, has been working to restore the facility and turn it into a museum.
Paranormal Reputation
Ghostly Encounters
The Ohio State Reformatory has gained a reputation for being haunted, with visitors and ghost hunters reporting numerous paranormal encounters. Ghost sightings, unexplained sounds, and chilling experiences have been documented at the site, attracting paranormal enthusiasts worldwide.
Some most frequently reported paranormal activities include unexplained footsteps, disembodied voices, and apparitions of former inmates and staff.
Paranormal Investigations
The reformatory’s reputation has led to numerous paranormal investigations by professional ghost hunters and paranormal research groups. These investigations have documented various forms of evidence, such as electronic voice phenomena (EVP) and video footage, further fueling the belief that the reformatory is haunted.
Tours and Events
History and Hollywood Tours
Visitors to the Ohio State Reformatory can choose from various tours, including History Meets Hollywood, which focuses on the prison’s history and its role in movies and television.
The Beyond the Bars tour delves deeper into the history and allows access to areas not included in the regular tour. In contrast, Inmate tours are guided by a former reformatory inmate, providing a unique perspective on life behind bars.
Ghost Tours and Hunts
In addition to history tours, the Ohio State Reformatory offers ghost tours for those interested in exploring the prison’s paranormal reputation.
Public and private ghost hunts cater to casual and experienced ghost hunters, while ghost walks and classes are available for children aged 13 and older. The reformatory hosts’ special ghost hunt events led by famous ghost hunters, celebrities, or historians.
Special Events
Several events are held at the Ohio State Reformatory throughout the year, such as:
- INKcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival, a three-day rock band show in mid-July.
- Blood Prison, a Halloween haunted attraction in September and October.
- The Shawshank Hustle is a 7k race that passes five film locations from The Shawshank Redemption.
- Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre, hosted by the Mansfield Playhouse.
- Mansfield Mayhem is a photography event organized by the Professional Photographers of Ohio.
- Pour One Nine Beerfest, featuring brews, wines, live artists, and food.
These events, along with the variety of tours and the reformatory’s fascinating history, continue to attract visitors and ensure that the Ohio State Reformatory remains an essential part of Mansfield’s cultural landscape.
Restoration and Preservation Efforts
Ongoing Restoration Projects
The Mansfield Reformatory Preservation Society has been dedicated to restoring the Ohio State Reformatory to its original state. Some of their restoration efforts include debris removal, roof replacement, and the complete restoration of the Warden’s quarters and central guard room between the East and West Cell Blocks.
Funding and Future Plans
These restoration projects are funded through donations and tour fees. As part of the ongoing efforts, the society has replaced the windows on the south side of the east cell block and plans to replace all of the original stained glass windows in the building.
The Preservation Society also aims to stabilize the buildings against further deterioration, ensuring that the historical site is preserved for future generations.
World Records and Unique Features
The East Cell Block of the Ohio State Reformatory remains the world’s largest free-standing steel cell block, standing six tiers high. This impressive feature and unique architectural elements continue to draw attention and interest from visitors and architectural enthusiasts alike.
Iconic Movies and Shows Filmed at Ohio State Reformatory
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
The Ohio State Reformatory is perhaps best known for its role in the critically acclaimed film The Shawshank Redemption. The prison’s distinctive architecture and atmosphere were integral to the film’s overall impact, providing the perfect setting for the story of hope and redemption.
The movie, starring Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins, has become a classic, and the reformatory has become synonymous with the film, drawing fans worldwide.
Other Notable Productions
- Tango & Cash (1989): This action-comedy film starring Sylvester Stallone and Kurt Russell utilized the reformatory for various prison scenes while the facility was still operating. The movie’s plot revolves around two police officers framed for a crime they did not commit and sent to prison, where they have to work together to clear their names.
- Air Force One (1997): In this action-thriller film starring Harrison Ford, the Ohio State Reformatory was used as a stand-in for a Russian prison where General Ivan Radek (played by Jürgen Prochnow) is incarcerated. The film follows the story of a hijacked U.S. presidential aircraft and the president’s attempts to save his family and the hostages on board.
- Ghost Hunters (2005): The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS) investigated the reformatory for an episode of the popular TV series Ghost Hunters, which aired on the SciFi Channel. The episode helped to cement the reformatory’s reputation as a haunted location and sparked increased interest in its paranormal history.
- Ghost Adventures (2009): The Travel Channel’s Ghost Adventures also featured the Ohio State Reformatory in Season 3, Episode 4. The show’s paranormal investigators spent the night at the prison, exploring its haunted history and trying to capture evidence of ghostly activity.
- Escape Plan: The Extractors (2019): This action-thriller film starring Sylvester Stallone, Dave Bautista, and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson was filmed at the Ohio State Reformatory in the fall of 2018. The movie follows a security expert and his team as they try to rescue a kidnapped daughter of a tech mogul from a Latvian prison.
These productions, along with The Shawshank Redemption, have helped to make the Ohio State Reformatory a popular filming location and an iconic site in American popular culture.
