#franklincountyjail

[mhuntington7]

THE RADIO TURNTABLES THAT SPUN THE FIRST BEATLES SINGLE IN THE U.S. - Benton, Illinois. The WFRX-1300AM radio station turntables which spun for broadcast the first Beatles single “From Me To You” in the United States back in June of 1963. This historic piece of Rock-N-Roll (and Beatles) memorabilia can be seen as part of a display at the Franklin County Jail Museum in Benton, Illinois which features several historic items from Beatle George Harrison’s September 1963 vacation stay in the area to visit his sister Louise Harrison - who had given the station the record to play. Five months before “Beatlemania” hit America (via Ed Sullivan), the “Quiet Beatle,” Harrison, was making some noise here as he performed several pickup-gigs with a local band called “The Four Vests” and was interviewed on WFRX by West Frankfort high school student and DJ Marcia Schafer Raubach, who had also played the first record months earlier. “She Loves You” was played for the first time during this interview. The strange, unknown visiting British Musician was largely a novelty to folks in the area at the time. How little did they know. First on-air record play, first American radio interview broadcast, and the first stage performances of a Beatle in America. Rock and Roll history right here. Photo by Michael Huntington - May, 2018. @Huntington_Strange_Travels #MichaelHuntington #StrangeTravels #HuntingtonAdventures #GeorgeHarrison #GeorgeHarrison1963 #GeorgeHarrisonInIllinois #TheBeatles #BeatlesInAmerica #Beatlemania #FirstBeatlesPlay #RockNRollHistory #LouiseHarrison #WFRX1300AM #HauntedFranklinCountyJail #FranklinCountyJail #FranklinCountyJailMuseum #FranklinCountyIllinois #WestFrankfortIllinois #BentonIllinois (at Benton, Illinois) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw-fIfbFeQs/?igshid=1vdrndohokmwa

[mhuntington7]

THE NOOSE THAT HUNG GANGSTER CHARLIE BIRGER IN 1928- Benton, Illinois. Completed in 1906, the Franklin County Jail (now the Franklin County Jail Museum) is noted for its distinction as being one of the “Most Haunted Jails in America,” but it also stands in historic significance as being the location for the last public hanging in the State of Illinois. The front section of the jail facility, which served as the warden’s on-site residence, is full of an impressive variety of local historical memorabilia, but it is the display of the actual noose that hung 48 year-old machine-gun gangster Charlie Birger (executed at the jail on April 19, 1928, witnessed by 500 attendees) that stands out as its chief morbidly fascinating true crime curiosity. A gallows reproduction is visible outside of the building - but, inside, one may also see the actual hanging gallows stored amidst the spooky cell blocks. Cell blocks that are haunted. Birger spent his last night in one of these cells. Birger’s last spoken words commented on the beautiful April day, before the hood covered his view, and before he dropped into this gripping rope that would end his life. Photo by Michael Huntington - May, 2018. @Huntington_Strange_Travels #MichaelHuntington #StrangeTravels #HuntingtonAdventures #HauntedFranklinCountyJail #HauntedBentonJail #MostHauntedJail #GangsterCharlieBirger #CharlieBirger #CharlieBirgerHanging #BirgerHangingNoose #HauntedJail #HauntedBenton #Haunted #Ghost #Ghosts #GhostHunting #Paratourism #FranklinCountyJail #FranklinCountyIllinois #BentonIllinois (at Franklin County Historic Jail Msm) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv-HasiFZtB/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ssvkftcq91jk

[mhuntington7]

HAUNTED CELL BLOCK: THE FRANKLIN COUNTY JAIL - Benton, Illinois. Pictured: one of the cell blocks at the reportedly Haunted Franklin County Jail. Completed in 1906, the Franklin County Jail (now the Franklin County Jail Museum) is considered to be one of the “Most Haunted Jails in America” by many paranormal researchers. The two-story haunted jail is most noted as being the location where 1920s gangster Charlie Birger was held before he was hanged to death, just outside his cell, in the last public hanging in Illinois (in 1928). Birgir is one of the specters alleged to haunt this creepy place. A reproduction of Birgir’s death gallows is visible outside of the building. Inside, one may view the actual hanging gallows as well as the very same noose which ended Birger’s life. The reportedly haunted cell blocks, which housed a multitude of criminals for decades, are claustrophobic and creepy, especially when the dark solemnity of the jail is interrupted by an active spirit box spitting out curious phrases that seemingly echo the angry sentiments of convicts that have never left. “PLAY SOME MUSIC!” Many experienced ghost hunters have reported numerous successful EVP hits at this location as well (some even from Charlie) - evidence that these seemingly empty cells are not quite as empty as they appear to be. Photo by Michael Huntington - May, 2018. @Huntington_Strange_Travels #MichaelHuntington #StrangeTravels #HuntingtonAdventures #HauntedFranklinCountyJail #HauntedBentonJail #MostHauntedJail #GangsterCharlieBirgir #CharlieBirgir #CharlieBirgirHanging #BirgirGallows #BirgirHangingNoose #HauntedJail #HauntedBenton #Haunted #Ghost #Ghosts #GhostHunting #Paratourism #FranklinCountyJail #FranklinCountyIllinois #BentonIllinois (at Benton, Illinois) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuupqGRlFfe/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1unsbmy8c52z2

[mhuntington7]

GHOST BOX AT THE HAUNTED FRANKLIN COUNTY JAIL - The Franklin County Jail (1906) in Benton, Illinois, is considered by many ghost hunters to be one of the “Most Haunted Jails in America.” Seen here - in the second-floor jail wing - is an active “ghost box” (or “spirit box”) which, presumably, is able to be manipulated by spirits to allow for basic communication. During this visit, the box spit out several creepy phrases, including: “I am here” and “Play some music.” While not necessarily scientifically viable as evidence of the Beyond, hearing these messages in this creepy locale was unsettling, nonetheless! Photo by Michael Huntington - May, 2018. @Huntington_Strange_Travels #MichaelHuntington #StrangeTravels #HuntingtonAdventures #HauntedFranklinCountyJail #HauntedBentonJail #MostHauntedJail #GangsterCharlieBirgir #CharlieBirgir #CharlieBirgirHanging #BirgirHangingNoose #HauntedJail #HauntedBenton #Haunted #Ghost #Ghosts #GhostHunting #Paratourism #FranklinCountyJail #FranklinCountyIllinois #BentonIllinois (at Franklin County Jail)