Ohio State Reformatory

www.mrps.org

Phone:
419-522-2644

Address:
100 Reformatory Rd.
Mansfield, OH 44905

Hours:
Please call or visit website for information.

With the cornerstone laid in 1886, this castle-like prison was designed as a reformatory for young offenders.  Abandoned in 1990, the original cell-blocks and administration areas remain intact.  Four major motion pictures have been filmed on location including "The Shawshank Redemption" and  "Air Force One".

The reformatory has been listed on the Travel Channel's "101 Things to do before you Die" and in Entertainment Magazine's "Vacation on Location Top 10". Many stories of haunts can be heard from visitors and workers at the site. Ghost hunts and Ghost walks are a popular tour choice at the Historic Reformatory and sellout quickly.

The Historic Ohio State Reformatory invites you to come see the monumental 19th century architectural achievement for yourself.

Please join us for our 2008 SEASON as we offer the following:

Ghost Hunts (April--November) Reservation only

Guided Tours (late May-early September)

Ghost Walks (May-September) Reservation only

Haunted Prison Experience (October)

Host your next event or conference in our newly renovated Central Guard Room or Dining Room.

Shawshank Redemption Trail:  Begin your Hollywood Tour at the Historic Ohio State Reformatory.  One of the top five largest castle-like structures in the USA, the Reformatory houses the world's tallest free-standing steel cell block (6 tiers; 12 ranges, 600 cells).  Four major motion pictures have been filed there- Tango and Cash, Harry and Walter Go To New York, The Shawshank Redemption and Air Force One.

Considered a grand architectural achievement, the massive Reformatory building, large granite pillars and elegant construction encompass 250,000+ square feet and combine three architectural styles:  Victorian Gothic, Richardsonian Romanesque, and Queen Anne.  

To see and hear more on The Shawshank Redemption, make sure you take the Hollywood Tour at the Reformatory.  The cells, the warden's office and even the carving on the ceiling that reads, "Brooks was here.  So was Red" are on display.  Even more amazing is the tunnel that the main character, Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), dug.  It is about 2 feet in diameter.  Hazard a trip into the sinister "Hole".  View the 1886 West Cell Block used as a Russian prison in Air Force One.  

From the tower of the Reformatory, you can see the graveyard that was featured in Shawshank Redemption.
 Mapquest Directions

View Ohio State Reformatory Website

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