Ep 133 The Black Jail

Nothing says kooky and spooky like a jail, turned church, turned handicap home, turned cult headquarters! But Jess found just the place!

"Church Row" is located on Noble Avenue in Guthrie, OK. It features a series of houses of worship. Guthrie became a city, almost quite literally, overnight during the 1889 Land Run. This area also houses the notorious Black Jail, constructed in 1892, to manage the outlaws that plagued the region. Initially deemed "escape-proof," the jail, in fact, saw multiple successful escapes, including several notorious figures from the American Frontier. Over time, it transitioned from a federal prison to a church and later housed the controversial Samaritan Foundation cult, whose leader, Linda Greene, was linked to bizarre beliefs and the mysterious disappearance of her husband, Allen Ross. Following Greene's death, the jail has remained abandoned, attracting paranormal investigators who report strange occurrences, including ghost sightings and unexplained sounds, adding to its eerie legacy. Today, efforts are underway to restore the building, though its haunted history continues to intrigue and mystify.

Join us this week as we explore one of Oklahoma’s most well-known haunted towns!

Sources:

• Haunted Guthrie, Oklahoma by Tanya McCoy & Jeff Provine

• Ghosts and Legends of Oklahoma by Mike Ricksecker

• The Haunted Attic

• Abandoned Oklahoma

• Edmond Life and Leisure

• The Oklahoman

• Medium

• Oklahoma Mysteries