The Norfolk City Jail in Virginia is more than a detention facility. It’s also a building steeped in history and tales of otherworldly experiences. Numerous reports from prisoners, guards, and visitors to the jail have indicated that something lurks in the dark corners of the haunted jail.
But that’s not the only thing allegedly lurking in Virginia! Many spirits are said to wander about in Williamsburg, Virginia, just an hour northwest of Norfolk.
Join Colonial Ghosts on a Williamsburg ghost tour to walk the paths of Civil War soldiers and confront curses.
Who Haunts Norfolk City Jail?
We don’t know the name of the man who haunts Norfolk City Jail, but we do know a bit about him and his post-life activities. He’s a man who committed suicide in his cell, and he’s allegedly been haunting the cell ever since. Learn why this haunting has earned Norfolk City Jail the reputation for being the most haunted location in the city below.
Quick Facts
- The jail was initially constructed in the 1700s.
- It was rebuilt several times throughout history, due to tragedy and growth.
- The jail was often overcrowded, with inmates having to share beds.
- In the 1900s, a man committed suicide inside his 9’ x 9’ cell.
History of Norfolk City Jail
The Norfolk City Jail’s origins date back to the 1700s. Back then, Norfolk was a colonial settlement with a growing population. An increased number of people led to an increased need for law enforcement and, with it, a need for a jail.
The jail was initially a simple wooden structure. However, it underwent many changes and modernizations throughout its many years of being open.
The concept of rehabilitation for prisoners gained more traction during the 1800s. As it emerged, the Norfolk City Jail took notice and participated. They began offering educational programs and vocational training to help Norfolk City Jail inmates reintegrate into society later.
During this time, the jail’s simple wooden structure was replaced with a brick building, intended to reflect the city’s commitment to maintaining a secure facility.
In 1859, tragedy struck. A great fire devastated Norfolk, destroying most of the city. The destruction did not stop at the brick jail, burning it down. As such, a new jail was needed for the city. This new jail was designed by an architect named John S. Norris.
John S. Norris was determined to incorporate the latest advancements in design into his jail, specifically looking at improvements to the prison’s architecture. These improvements focused on security, efficiency, quality of life, and better living conditions for the inmates. He designed the jail quickly, and it was built efficiently, completing construction in 1860, just one short year after the prison burned down.
Modern Norfolk City Jail
The jail was also important during the Civil Rights Movement. Many activists were imprisoned there after participating in acts of civil disobedience, like protests. During this time, the jail symbolized the struggle for equality. Today, the jail honors the stories of these activists.
As the population continued to grow, the need for a more modern and larger facility was recognized. The city of Norfolk commissioned a new jail, which was completed in 1999. This is the city jail that is still in use today.
It was built with a higher capacity and state-of-the-art security systems. Rehabilitation is a top priority of this jail. Many programs and services are available to help prisoners transition back into their lives successfully and safely.
The Hauntings at Norfolk City Jail
Some say the jail’s tumultuous history led to the eerie energies at the Norfolk City Jail. Between the great fire of 1859 and the intense emotions and injustices associated with the Civil Rights Movement, it’s no wonder some energies seem to linger.
But that’s not the most persistent legend surrounding the Norfolk City Jail. This legend involves a prisoner who is said to have committed suicide in the jail a very long time ago.
It’s unclear exactly when this man committed suicide, but we do know it likely happened in the 1900s. Back then, the city had too many criminals and not enough space in the jail. Inmates often had to double up on beds or otherwise go without.
In 1943, J. Blan Van Urk wrote an article for The American Mercury, reporting “Five and six men were cooped up in every cell, and there were no beds at all for many of them. The city has a prison farm, but conditions are just as crowded there.”
As a result, suicides were not uncommon in the prison. The man who haunts the jail in particular is said to have hung himself in one of the cells. Since then, his spirit has continued to haunt the jail, most prominently in the 9-foot by 9-foot cell where he died.
The Ghost of the Man Who Hung Himself
Stories of unsettling encounters continue to pour in to this day, each with similar yet unique stories. One inmate, for example, claimed that when he looked into a mirror at Norfolk City Jail, he did not see his own reflection. Instead, he saw the swollen, distorted face of a stranger. This face looked like the face of a man who died from hanging.
Guards of the prison who work the night shift have also reported seeing the silhouette of a man who disappears when they investigate more closely. Another prisoner who stayed in the cell claimed to have been “provoked” by a former prisoner who hung himself there.
Haunted Williamsburg
Norfolk City Jail’s reputation as one of the most haunted places in Virginia stands strong due to a solid foundation of historical events, tragedies, and reports of unexplained phenomena.
Unsurprisingly, Norfolk would have such a haunted locale, as spirits allegedly abound in the state. Don’t believe us? See it for yourself on a Colonial Williamsburg ghost tour!
Our writers at Colonial Ghosts have tons of stories available on our blog. Plus, you can find more ghost stories on our Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok! Go ahead and cozy up. We’ll kick-start you with one of our favorites, The Civil War Witch Bottle. Enjoy!
Sources:
- https://norfolkcityjail.org/history/
- https://colonialghosts.com/the-ghosts-of-norfolk-virginia/
- https://whatliesbeyond.boards.net/thread/3322/nightmarish-norfolk-virginia
- https://www.mommymusings.com/norfolk-virginia-haunted-halloween-events-attractions/