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| Photo: Wikipedia |
Rawlins, Carbon County, Wyoming
A Cold Cell, A Colder History
Built in 1901 and closed in 1981, the Wyoming Frontier Prison housed some of the state’s most dangerous criminals — and now, it may house their ghosts. With its stone walls, claustrophobic cells, and chilling execution chamber, the prison left behind more than just a brutal legacy. Visitors and staff alike have reported paranormal activity that suggests some inmates never left.
Inside, the temperature is said to drop dramatically in certain areas, even during warm months. Disembodied voices echo down empty corridors. Doors slam shut on their own. Apparitions of former inmates have been seen pacing cellblocks or staring through the bars. One infamous hotspot is Death Row, where a thick sense of dread lingers in the air — and where people have heard whispering, footsteps, or felt icy hands brushing against them.
The Execution Chamber
Perhaps the most disturbing room is the gas chamber, installed in 1936. Over a dozen men were executed here, and several more by hanging in earlier years. Paranormal investigators have reported electromagnetic spikes, ghostly moans, and equipment malfunctions in this space — often after asking questions aloud, as if something is still listening… or answering.
The ghost of Andrew Pixley, executed in 1965 for the murder of two young girls, is said to still haunt the prison. Some claim his remorseful energy has imprinted itself on the facility. Others sense anger, confusion, or simply the restless presence of souls long trapped behind stone and steel.
Ghost Tours and First-Hand Encounters
Today, the prison offers guided ghost tours and paranormal investigations for brave visitors. Many guests leave with chilling stories of their own — including shadowy figures, camera malfunctions, sudden illness, or unexplained scratches appearing on their skin. One visitor claimed to hear a man say, “Get out,” in her ear when no one was nearby. Another caught an EVP of the word “help” in a vacant cell.
Whether you believe in ghosts or not, the Wyoming Frontier Prison radiates the weight of its dark history. For nearly 80 years, it was a place of punishment, execution, isolation, and desperation — and such emotions don’t always rest in peace.