Thomaston Prison, Maine

Thomaston inspired the Shawshank Redemption

Sentenced to death by hanging, Louis Wagner made a daring escape from Alfred Prison, but was soon recaptured and delivered to the Maine state prison at Thomaston. Infamous for its early cruel conditions, Thomaston had originally housed its prisoners in deep holes and worked them at hard labor in a rock quarry. But by 1873, Thomaston was a modern facility where prisoners worked in a variety of occupations from making shoes to carriages. Wagner befriended another ax murderer named John True Gordon, and the two men became model prisoners. During a year and a half on death row, Wagner's attorney Rufus Tapley worked tirelessly to prevent the execution. Maine was on the verge of abolishing capital punishment. Wagner carried his Bible, professed to be reborn, and proclaimed that, "God won't kill an innocent man." The facility at Thomaston was an inspiration for a Stephen King story that was adapted into the film "Shawshank Redemption." The Thomaston prison has since been razed and replaced by a 21st century supermax prison in a neighboring town, but the popular prison gift shop still attracts vacationing tourists. (Photo courtesy of J. Dennis Robinson collection)