These cracked and weathered steps were used over the course of the 142 years that Eastern State Penitentiary housed prisoners. In its wagon wheel shaped design, the penitentiary was built to be large and intimidating. This door way is one of four that led up to towers on the corners of the square shaped outer walls. Atop the towers that overlook the 15 cell blocks holding 75,000 inmates over the years, guards would watch intently for unexpected movement from a prisoner dreaming of freedom. Even with the massiveness and size, Eastern State Penitentiary had several escape attempts and hundreds of successful ones at that. When you are locked in a bare minimum room for 23 hours a day with nothing else to do but read a bible, the very idea of escaping this living hell becomes a dream and a goal. I suppose it became an obsession for those who were successful. Looking at this door, I can’t help but wonder how many prison guards climbed these steps day after day, night after night? Now, the secrets that this tower holds are locked away forever behind this thick rusted-out steel door.