As our December 2019 trip was a rainy trip we signed up for another tour, this time of the Charleston Haunted Old City Jail. We joined Bulldog Tours and were given a fantastic tour. It was the perfect night for it, as the rain had turned to a mist and there was an eerie redness in the sky. I will admit though, that this was creepy and scary. The building itself absolutely looks haunted. From the moment I arrived here to the moment I left, I was in hyper alert stage. Ready to run for my life if need be. Regardless of being scared, I was also excited to see what we might see!
History of The Old City Jail
The Old City haunted Jail in Charleston was in use from 1802-1939 and imprisoned some of Charleston’s most notorious prisoners. The jail also imprisoned pirates in the early days and soldiers during the Civil War. Each of the three floors of the jail held a different level of prisoner. Upper class criminals populated the first floor. Minor or nonviolent criminals were imprisoned on the second floor. Finally the third floor was for the hard core criminals. Prisoners did not last long on the third floor as sanitary conditions were very poor and it was hot in the summer and cold in the winter. There were no windows over the bars therefore bugs and critters could get in. This includes mosquitos, so malaria was rampant. Hygiene just didn’t happen in such cramped filthy areas.
Location of Haunted Jail
Beginning the Tour
We started our tour by following the guide behind the jail. We stood in the area where once stood the gallows as we listened to the guide while gazing at the spooky jail in the background. The guide warned everyone that strange things can happen here. He gave the disclaimer that if anyone was uncomfortable at any time, for any reason, they could leave.
Second Floor
Climbing up the stairs into the jail was so not my thing. I clung to Steve like my life depended on it. Not sure why I agreed to go on a tour like this but I tried to keep an open mind. We entered the first room which had ropes hanging from the ceiling. These ropes could hold a person’s arms suspended in the air.
Lavinia and John Fisher
The next room at one time had many sectioned off cells which held many prisoners in each one. The infamous Lavinia and John Fisher had a cell here. Convicted of highway robbery and suspected of murder at their inn near Charleston and subsequently hung for their crimes. They did spend a year in the Charleston haunted jail before their hanging. Lavinia is a very angry spirit. She scratches people while they are in this room. Thankfully, she left everyone alone on our tour this night.
The legend of Lavinia and John Fisher is quite fascinating and there is usually some truth to Legends. She is tagged as the first U. S. woman serial killer yet there is no proof she ever killed anyone. The following site does a good job of distinguishing between the myths and the truths of Lavinia and John Fisher.
Third Floor
We then went to the third floor which held the harden criminals. There is a lot of graffiti on these walls. This room really gave me the creeps. We didn’t see anything extraordinary, it just felt eerie. This room had a double door. One of bars and one of thick metal. I really did not like this room at all. Poor Steve, I was practically standing on his feet trying to feel close and safe.
There is an old wheel chair in the hall on one of the floors. There is a young boy who died in this jail and he now haunts this area. He pushes the chair around as if he is playing with it.
First Floor
On the first floor we were able to visit the infirmary which was also used as a morgue and store room. In this room, there is a spirit that haunts the area and makes himself known by swinging the wires that hang from the ceiling. They stayed still this night.
Conclusion
Regardless of the fact that I don’t like scary, creepy places I did enjoy this tour. The guide did a fantastic job of not only showing us around, but telling the stories of the people who were here along with the history of the jail. He kept it very interesting and informative. I would recommend this tour, especially to those who like the paranormal and like to be spooked! Although I know next time I am in Charleston I am going to visit more cheerful places!!!
Where We Stayed
We stayed at The Vendue, which was in walking distance to everywhere we went while in historic Charleston. You will find The Vendue in a historic area on a street called Vendue Range. Originally built as a French warehouse in the 1780’s, this art hotel has a lot of character. We enjoyed our stay here. Included with our room was morning breakfast, 4:00 PM wine and cheese and 9:00 PM warm chocolate chip cookies and milk! The staff was wonderful with lots of good information. Click on this link to book a room at The Vendue
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You can read my other Charleston posts by following these links
Where to Eat in Downtown Charleston, December, 2019
A Photo Tour of Historic Charleston, South Carolina, December 2019
The Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon Charleston, South Carolina, December 2019
Oh my gosh, gave me the creeps! Loved reading your post, but definitely not on my go-to list, lol! Thanks! 😊
I hear you! Not my thing but Steve was interested and I survived!!! It was a great tour but I don’t like creepy very well!!!
Ahhahaha, you did a great job conveying it! 😊 And those pictures! Combined with your narrative? Yeah, very creepy, but also another yeah so to speak, it’s a creepy fun read 😊
Thank you! I actually was pretty proud of myself that I stuck through the entire tour! Although my other option was to hang outside in the rain!!
“Hang?” With those ropes in the jail? Oh, but at least outside, lol! You were very brave going in there I think 😊
Lol!! Great play on words!! Plus the gallows used to be outside behind the jail!!!
Oh no! I better “hang” up on this thread ‘fore it’s too late, lol! 😊
Lol!!
Okay, you definitely conveyed how creepy this place is – just reading it made my skin crawl. 🙂 I’ve done a couple of those nighttime ‘haunted’ tours. The one in Key West wasn’t at all creepy. The one at Old Fort Erie (near Niagara Falls) had me clutching my son and practically crawling up my husband’s back. I can relate totally to you standing on Steve’s feet. I have GOT to get to Charleston!!!!
Lol! I was creeped out! Last night while writing the blog I was home alone and kept looking behind me and I think I had every light in the house on!! Charle is awesome!! They also have a haunted ship, graveyard, and other tours!! Next time I go I will hope for more sunshiny activities!!!
I’m afraid from a distance, I can only imagine being there. This actually looks really cool, and going on a tour was probably fun, but you wouldn’t catch me wandering the halls by myself. Can you imagine being locked up in there? Good Halloween activity.
I agree! I can’t imagine what I would have done if something appeared or jumped out at me!!
This is something I would love to do as long as I was in a group or a tour, like you did. So eery!
I agree! I would never go in there alone!!
Great post. Nothing like a visit to a jail to make you glad you do not live there. Thanks for sharing. Allan
That’s a great point!! I could not imagine living there!!
Super creepy!
Yes!!!
I will be in Charleston in a couple months! So fun following your adventures!
Thank you!! Have a great time in Charleston!
Great photo tour. I saw it from the outside last year on a tour by carriage through the city. It was very creepy.
Thanks! We didn’t get a carriage ride in but it looked fun!!!
It was!
great post; you made me feel like I was there…
Thank you!!!
Looks like an interesting tour. And I can see why the rain and mist would add to the ambience of the haunted old jail.
It was interesting and creepy!! Thanks for reading!
Very, very interesting ! Wonderfully written. Pictures awesome. Hotel marvelous !
Thank you!! Not my usual place to visit but it was a very good tour!!!!
You’re right. This IS a pretty creepy place, but interesting, and I can see why I would like the tour! But what I would really like is The Vendue. Thanks for letting us know about both.
Glad you liked them!!! We really enjoyed our stay at The Vendue! Great hospitality.
Can relate to this – I actually work in the old county gaol here, now a museum with a very gruesome past! x
That could be both scary and exciting!!!
Yes, definitely both! A very unique workplace and beautiful building with lots of history.