The Ohio State Reformatory

The Reformatory is located just outside of Mansfield, Ohio. This dark, gothic place has been used for four movies (Harry and Walter go to New York, Tango and Cash, Air Force One, The Shawshank Redemption) and music videos (such as "Awake" by Godsmack)
The history dates back to 1861 when the field where it would be built was used as a training camp for Civil War soldiers. It was named Camp Mordecai Bartley. In 1885, Mansfield was selected the official site for the new Intermediate. Levi T. Scofield was head architect and began building. His design was made to be Cathedral style, in hope that the inmates might be inspired to become better people. It ended up looking beautiful. It was like Dracula's castle in northern Ohio. In 1888-1890, work was delayed. Then on September 15, 1896, the building was opened as the Ohio State Reformatory. The very first 150 prisoners were brought from Columbus by train and were put to work on the sewer system and the 25- foot wall that surrounded the 15-acres. It wasn't until 1910 that the building was finally finished.
Over the years OSR accumulated its horror stories as with any prison. Two officers lost their lives at OSR. One was in 1926 who was shot to death by an inmate who was trying to spring his buddy and the other in 1932 beaten to death by a three-foot iron rod  in the solitary confinement.
    In July of 1948, two inmates were released from the reformatory for showing "good behavior". However, after they were released they showed signs of bad behavior when they went on a killing spree. These two were Robert Daniels and John West and were known as the "Mad Dog Killers". First, they murdered Columbus tavern owner Earl Ambrose, then stole a car and drove to Mansfield. Here, they kidnapped OSR farm superintendent John Niebel, his wife, and his twenty-year-old daughter. They murdered all three in a cornfield off Fleming Falls Road. The very next day, they killed a farmer from Tiffin who's bride managed to escape, and then shot a truck driver. Just two days later, they got what was coming to them. The two men were stopped at a roadblock at Van Wert. Daniels was captured, but West died in a shootout with the police. Daniels bragged about the fact that he might get the electric chair. The following January, he got his wish at the State Pen in Columbus.
      More creepy things happened in the Reformatory.  In 1955, an inmate hung himself in his cell. One inmate burned himself to death with turpentine and paint thinner stolen from the prison furniture shop. Two convicts were left in a cramped single-occupancy solitary confinement cell overnight and in the morning only one walked out. The other was stuffed under the bunk.
In conclusion, several ghosts haunt the building. The are too many to record. Tours are given between 1 and 4 PM on Sundays until October 31. Call (419) 522-2644 for details.
    Personally, I have never been to the prison but I'd really like to go. Also, I'd like to hear your stories and/or experiences if you've ever been there.