Virginia is renowned for its extensive history; however, certain historical sites are more malevolent than others. One such location is the Lorton Reformatory, a former prison that has been the site of atrocious events and maltreatment throughout the years. The prison is currently abandoned and in a state of decay; however, its ominous history continues to torment those who are willing to investigate it.
The Lorton Reformatory: A Failed Prison Reform Experiment
The Lorton Reformatory was constructed in 1910 as a “industrial farm” or “workhouse” designed to rehabilitate medium-security prisoners through rigorous manual labor. The convicts constructed the prison by hand, employing bricks that were manufactured on the premises. The prison also had a women’s workhouse, where inmates were charged with trivial offenses such as disorderly conduct, prostitution, or drunkenness.
Nevertheless, the penitentiary rapidly deteriorated into an unsanitary, overcrowded, and violent environment. The captives were subjected to severe conditions, brutal punishments, and frequent escapes. Additionally, the penitentiary was notorious for hosting the “Night of Terror,” a sequence of atrocious incidents that transpired on November 15, 1917.
The Night of Terror: A Horrible Chapter in the History of Women’s Suffrage
On that evening, 33 women who were members of the National Woman’s Party were apprehended for their involvement in a protest outside the White House in support of women’s voting rights. They were transported to the Lorton Reformatory, where they were subjected to cruelty and brutality by the prison guards and officials. The women were subjected to forcible feeding of raw eggs through tubes, stabbed, assaulted, and chained. Some of them sustained permanent injuries and trauma as a result of the ordeal.
The Night of Terror was one of the most shocking and shameful episodes in the annals of the women’s suffrage movement. It also elicited public outrage and sympathy for the suffragists, who subsequently achieved the right to vote in 1920 with the ratification of the 19th Amendment..
The Lorton Reformatory Today: A Ghostly Reminder of the Past
The Lorton Reformatory was operational until 2001, when it was ultimately shuttered as a result of human rights violations and deteriorating conditions. The prison was subsequently abandoned to decay and rot, becoming a magnet for graffiti artists, urban explorers, and ghost investigators. The prison is also alleged to be haunted by the spirits of the former inmates and guards, who continue to linger in the cells and corridors.
Nevertheless, not all of the penitentiary complex has been abandoned. The maximum security facility, which was previously a component of the prison system, has been repurposed as a mixed-use development area known as “Laurel Crest.” This area comprises apartments and enterprises. The former penitentiary now coexists with the modern community, resulting in a stark contrast between the old and the new.
In Conclusion
The Lorton Reformatory is a location that conceals a harrowing narrative within its confines. It is a location that has been the site of the most heinous acts of human cruelty and injustice, as well as the perseverance and fortitude of the women who fought for their rights. This location serves as both a haunting reminder of the past and a glimmer of optimism for the future. It is a location that is both worthy of exploration and deserving of respect, as it is a significant component of Virginia’s history.