The history surrounding Moundsville Penitentiary is bleak.  The gothic block structure in Moundsville, West Virginia was designed and built shortly after the Civil War ended and is said to be one of the most haunted prisons in America.  Through television, movies, documentaries and books, the site has been celebrated for its paranormal activity and the stories behind those who served there.

 

Although Halloween is approaching and the penitentiary will be transformed into the annual Dungeon of Horrors, the main attraction right now can be seen from the comfort of one’s own home.  Hulu streaming services began airing “Castle Rock” in July, with the featured prison scenes having been filmed at Moundsville Penitentiary.

 

This time last year, filming was just wrapping up for “Castle Rock,” which is based on the works of Stephen King.  Production took several weeks and several locals can be seen as extras in the series. In addition to helping the economy around Moundsville, the on-site filming also helped renovate the historical landmark prison in order to make it look like Shawshank State Prison, around which the series revolves.

 

The facility has been featured previously in Netflix’s “Mind Hunters,” Syfy’s “Ghost Hunters,” and Travel Channel’s “Ghost Adventures.”  It was also used as a backdrop in 2013 for the film adaptation of local author Davis Grubb’s novel “Out of the Furnace.”

 

“Castle Rock” is a psychological thriller series set in a fictional town in Maine that was also featured in many of Stephen King’s other works.  Although dark, the show brings together elements and characters King fans are familiar with.  Many familiar actors, including Bill Skarsgard and Sissy Spacek were prominent in other King classics.  

 

Having West Virginia on the national stage for the ten episodes of 2018 has proven to be a huge draw for tourists and, upon renewing the series, will continue with filming next summer. Additional information about Moundsville can be found at cityofmoundsville.com and more details on “Castle Rock” can be found on the Hulu site.