Whats amazing about this huge site is that nearly all of it is open for exploration. However, by 1873, the town was essentially abandoned. TheWorld-Famous Horseshoe Curvewas considered one of theengineering wonders of the worldat the time of its completion in1854. See. She also may be the one who makes objects mysteriously General Anthony Wayne was buried, unearthed, then boiled so he could be transferred to his family grave. Private property should be respected at all times, as should all posted signs concerning trespassing, hours of operation and other local regulations. Your CommentsHave a photograph taken from this location? Guests are welcome to bring investigative equipment and a small flashlight. Lock Ridge furnace in Alburtis Pa. Press J to jump to the feed. At this historic site, a boulder-ridden hill and Gettysburg Battlefield location, ghostly soldiers are reported to be seen. In a side room, weight equipment can still be found in several spots. This is a fantastic spot for both history buffs and photographers to tour. regularly. Legend has it that she was a new bride on her honeymoon at the Wopsononock Hotel, which burned down long ago. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. We have one of it in flames. These bunkers were used to test nuclear-powered jet engines as part of the governments Atoms for Peace program. His cigar smoke has been smelled by witnesses as well. Anyone have any pictures of White Swan Park which was near the Pittsburgh airport ? to the Best Abandoned Places in PA will take you on an epic 379 mile route to seven of Pennsylvania's most intriguing abandoned places! Frank is the most popular spirit in the museum but not the only ghost whos said to live there. It was abandoned for decades until the national park service opened it as a historical site. In conjunction with the Allegheny Tunnel mentioned above, theHorseshoe Curveallowed trains to cross back and forth over the steep Allegheny Mountains, something that had been impossible before 1854. The Westinghouse Atom Smasher can be found laying on its side in a residential neighborhood east of downtown Pittsburgh. Historically, it had a massive campus with 3,350 beds and was known for its often brutal treatment of . The seam below this coal region town caught on fire in the early 1960s, which marked the beginning of the end for the community. Petroleum Centre was founded in 1866 and was once home to as many as 3,000 people. glen hazel. In fact, much of the equipment looked like you could just dust it off and start working out. After being closed in 1995, the Steel Stacks were abandoned for many years. The historic Cresson Sanatorium building is located on the north end of the campus and is one of the cant miss buildings. One soldier who frequents the site has been described as having long gray hair and dirty, torn clothing of buckskin. Tunnelhill, PA (7.1 mi.) By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. The vast majority of information provided on this web site is anecdotal, and as such, should be viewed in the same light as local folklore and urban legends. Anything left of Luna Park in Scranton. This allowed me the chance to explore a variety of both historic buildings dating back to the early 20th century and modern cell blocks that wouldnt look out of place in a modern prison. There is an abandon tunnel left from the East Broadtop Railroad along Rt 994 not far from Saltillo / Three Springs. Follows the old railroad bed. Concrete City is located in Luzerne County near Nanticoke and was once company housing for select employees that worked at the nearby Truesdale Colliery. Check out the Abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike, the best things to do in Altoona, the Allegheny Portage Railroad, and the historic Horseshoe Curve. Note that the entire prison is surrounded by barbed wire fencing and trespassing is strictly prohibited. On this visit I got to check out the tunnels that run BENEATH the complex. This forgotten building was one of the few Philadelphia-area breweries to survive Prohibition. In fact, Id say that only Yellow Dog Village can compare to the condition of this site as far as legally accessible abandoned buildings in PA go. An abandoned hallway inside one of the historic sanatorium buildings. Legend has it Rosa Carmichael is said to be the spirit who haunts this museum. I stumbled across a very old headstone with 1700 dates on it. The sanatoriums buildings were lavishly designed with European touches including a Tudor Revival design, gargoyles atop the tower, and Scottish crests carved into the sandstone structure, a nod to Carnegie. Today, this once-bustling borough is reduced to fewer than 10 residents. Fortunately this time, no one was killed. Meanwhile, the basement is in quite rough shape, with very little light and peeling paint. Help spread the word. It's illegal to trespass on private property, and most public property is closed from dawn to dusk. Today, visitors can walk or bike this section of roadway, passing through the two mile-long tunnels and exploring this post-apocalyptic site that is one of my favorite abandoned places in Pennsylvania. Current management has plans to restore much of the East Broad Top track, and the tunnels are being considered for rebuilding and trains once again riding thru the tunnels. It was originally a military post that began in the 1700s. The National Iron and Steel Museum in Coatesville isnt abandoned in and of itself. Today, this approximately 200-foot arch looks in amazingly good condition and looks no worse for wear despite being over a century old. After sitting vacant for several years, the site was purchased with the goal of turning it into a hydroponic farm. (Note: While to the best of our knowledge you can legally visit these abandoned places at the time of publication, access can always change. As their carriage rounded the Devil's Elbow, there was an . Walking the two levels of the cell block gave me a chance to peer into the tiny cells and get a bit of an idea of what life is like for prisoners currently serving time in a Pennsylvania state prison. Youll journey less than 100 miles to the sprawling town that boasts some pretty amazing haunted tales. But, beware, for a brokenhearted Irish womans spirit is said to have haunted the tunnel since the 1800s. Ashville, PA (4.9 mi.) If you're intrigued by abandoned places, follow this abandoned places in Pennsylvania road trip. At the end of the tunnel, youll find a spectacular view overlooking the Lehigh River. Disclaimer: The stories posted here are user-submitted and are, in the nature of "ghost stories," largely unverifiable. It opened in 1911 with 20 duplex homes. I-81 went through there in the 60s and took a lot of it out. Often seen on the second floor is the ghost of an African-American man who wears 1800s clothing. This tunnel was opened in 1886 by the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company and carried trains until it was abandoned in 1956. His presentation is quirky but his history and stories are kinda what you are looking for. The Coplay Kilns are nine kilns that are the remnants of a large cement factory that was located on the outskirts of town. Richfield, CA 96021, USA. In addition to the abandoned mining structures, this area is also unique for its micro-climate, which is said to be several degrees colder than the surrounding area and supports unique plant life. https://youtube.com/c/ODDySEEy. I am retired from Rockview Prison. It was a Federal outpost during the Carlisle Barracks is a military school that was attended by the likes of John J. Pershing and Dwight D. Eisenhower. Can you be more specific as to where it is? Wear study boots and bring a flashlight, so that you are prepared to safely explore the former prison grounds. I cant wait to explore this place!!!! The tours are self-guided and self-paced, and there is really no right or wrong way to make your way around and through the various structures. I was an opening GM before when it had lost its flag from a Ramada. The post office and the fire dept are both in existence too. This freedom gives you the chance to enter nearly all of the structures and to find the spots that interest you the most. In fact, when entering the site, I was told that if I could find an open door, I could go in and explore as much as I wanted. Bellwood, PA (7.6 mi.) Unfortunately, little seems to be known today about how many people came through the facility and what life was like for them, but given the grand nature of the buildings, it must have been, relatively speaking, a pleasant place to get your treatment. Your email address will not be published. Open house dates for the prison are announced on the Facebook page for the site and all events are listed on their website. Altoona. The 1739 house is thought to be haunted by 2 families: The Hammonds, who lived here in the 1840s, and the Civil War-era Downins. Today, several of the buildings, primarily the newer prison blocks, are currently growing a variety of crops indoors, but much of the historic prison sits abandoned and awaiting restoration. Check out the best breweries in Altoona, the Railroaders' Memorial Museum, Chimney Bluff, and the limestone kilns at Canoe Creek State Park. Almost all of the buildings have either a number or a letter emblazoned on them. From the exterior, you can see that this is actually four separate buildings connected together by long above-ground passageways. It would have been torn down then, but the concrete used to build the homes ended up being too difficult for even dynamite to destroy. Today, visitors can walk through the surrounding park, marvel at the size of Austin Dam and its crumbling ruins, and pay their respects to those killed here. It's home to a ghost nicknamed Handsome Paul, who appears suited up for a night out. If you visit, be sure to check out the exquisite small details like this rear door to the chapel. The Limestone Trail trailhead leading to the abandoned lime kilns at Canoe Creek State Park. This site has a 100-year history as a tuberculosis sanatorium, a mental hospital, and a modern prison, meaning that you can explore everything from an old psychiatric ward to modern cell blocks. 2023 Rusty Glessner Photography, LLC / PA Bucket List. In truth, I could keep going on and on discussing the many cool things I found while exploring the abandoned SCI Cresson. There is stuff like the Scotia ghost town, but you probably found that with the touristy stuff. Its not called the Horseshie Curve. Thats a famous historical train site. Turned out Rockview had the CERT team there. I know of Horseshoe Curve Tunnel and the abandoned turnpike, but are there any scary/ haunted places known locally thats legal to explore at night? To be honest, very little is known about the origins of this ruin, but its still a lot of fun to explore the stone shell of this building. Thanks, Pennhurst Asylum in Spring City, PA is an eerie abandoned place to explore. Where im from we call it horseshoe curve. They show up as oddities on the photographic images taken all over the hotel. We just happened to have our Rockview Jackets and were allowed in. Yes, many people still live there. Its a really interesting place to explore. In the 1960s, the shop closed for good, simply shutting their doors and walking away. If you don't want to travel out of the city to see trains or are looking for something to do while visiting the city's railroad museum, this is a great spot to quickly experience the joys of watching trains. If you exit the basketball court through the exterior door, youll find yourself along the northern fence line of the prison and next to the old automotive shop. Ruins to explore and in the summer there are weekend yours. Reaching the lodge is quite easy along the Flat Rock Trail, which offers a lot of beauty in addition to this abandoned site. Corrections officers kept an eye on the cell block from behind reinforced glass windows. The status of visitors being allowed is unknown, but I assume that it is currently closed to exploration. Opened as a state-of-the-art prison in 1829, Eastern State Penitentiaryin Philadelphia was the model for many future correctional facilities. Known as Pine Grove Furnace Prisoner of War Interrogation Camp, German and Japanese officers were brought here after being captured and interrogated. All Rights Reserved. A landmark in Altoona since 1906, The Mishler Theater attracts visitors for its family entertainment. In fact, it preserves several important buildings in the Lukens Historic District. At the facility, cutting-edge treatments were used to treat those with this contagious disease. 1. Note: As of late 2021, it appears that Yellow Dog Village is for sale. If you've had a paranormal experience here, or have any additional information about this location, please let us know! To schedule your own visit to the abandoned Cresson State Prison, contact Hydroponic Life / Big House Produce at this link. Im always on the lookout for abandoned places in Pennsylvania that I can legally explore. 8. Please do not trespass. 6 . And then, the church suddenly burned down. Was an awesome experience. Visitors can walk out onto the remains of the bridge or walk to the valley floor for a close up look at the bridges remains, which still lay where they fell. The Railroaders Museum is said to be haunted by a spirit named Frank, who has been seen all over the museum. When visiting, make sure to be respectful as this is a historic site and attempts are being made to preserve it. All rights reserved. I honestly don't think you're going to get any good answers. According to those in the know, this area is haunted by the ghost of a young girl who wears a white dress. The City of Altoona is required to provide notice and a period of time for the vehicle . SCI Cresson opened in 1987 as a medium-security correctional facility for male inmates. Thank you for publishing this article and telling of your experience. Im going in Aug (July was already sold out) & have shared this article with them (as sister in law was from that area & her grandmother had worked for the Sanatorium). This space was designed for prisoners to learn automotive skills, which is clear from the two very cool murals on the exterior of the space. From 1930 until 1957, this tower was used to refuel train engines with coal as they made their way along the banks of the Allegheny River. If you like exploring older churches, youll enjoy the fine details that went into building Grace Chapel. Well, it turned out to be the only overnight in a haunted facility that this ghost hunting team DID NOT COMPLETElolthey ran out the front gate. Today, this perfectly preserved shop looks just as it did when it closed 60 years ago and offers the chance to see what a mid-century machine shop would have been like. They assumed he, like them, was an extra working on the film. In Lebanon county there is a park and boat ride on the Union Canal in West Lebanon. The Admiral Peary Monument in Cambria Countyhonors U.S. It is believed to be haunted. Today, the bridge is the central point of Kinzua Bridge State Park. No matter where you look, youll see plenty of razor wire and chain link fences. By 1924, the community was abandoned. Hotel Hershey, 12 Philly places, more: The 32 highest rated hotels in Pa. Information can be found further down in this article on how to legally visit this abandoned prison, but know that visitors are allowed with permission and prices are reasonable, so please dont trespass on this site. Easy access from white Haven. In 1911, the dam failed and the ensuing flood of water killed 78 people. I said mostly abandoned because at least part of the former prison grounds is now being used by a new company for a new purpose. Seeing this piece of history is well worth the cost of the tour. On these days, volunteers work for a few hours and then are given a few hours to explore the site at no cost. SCI Cresson closed June 30, 2013, with the State citing the antiquity of the prison and rising costs of maintaining it as the primary reasons for the closure. Spring City, PA. As if being an actual abandoned, haunted asylum wasn't enough, Pennhurst Asylum (aka Eastern Pennsylvania State Institution for the Feeble-Minded and Epileptic) operates as a haunted house during the Halloween season. Visitors to this site have reported hearing the harrowing sounds of battle, although nothing appears to be happening on the quiet field. Young and Sons Machine Shop. This former mining community has been abandoned for many decades and while much of it has been lost to the woodland, pieces remain, including several concrete structures and an old rail line. A planned settlement in Pennsylvania once housed the aristocratic refugees of the French Revolution. (Note: While to the best of our knowledge you can legally these abandoned places at the time of publication, access can always change. There really is just so much to see at this abandoned prison, and Im grateful that owners have decided to open it up for the public to explore so that you can find your own hidden surprises, of which there are many more that arent included here. Constructed in 1915, this series of five blast furnaces was part of the large steel mill here in Bethlehem. You can find out more about Hydroponic Life / Big House Produce by following their social media on Facebook and/or Instagram. The historic inn dates back to 1790, and was recently restored after a catastrophic fire swept through the building in 2008. When it was completed in 1882, the Kinzua Bridge was the largest and tallest bridge in the world. 3.8. It is said that these soldiers are from the battle's second day. Just a thank you for Pennsylvania history. Franks been seen by just about everyone whos worked at the museum and countless visitors. Austin Dam is located in rural Potter County, Pennsylvania. A spirit is said to reside in the former Culmervilel Hotel, now Zottola's Pub and Eatery. This inn, housed in a 1897 building, has been visited by strange noises, residual smells, and a ghost named Flossie who is said to have died in the house in the 1920s. Transfiguration of Our Lord in Philadelphia. In addition to learning how a coal mine worked, the Number 9 is interesting because it contains several abandoned buildings and apparatuses within the mine itself. Her parents buried Redstone Cem where we go Rockland Furnace dates to 1832 and was in operation until 1854. This mine opened in 1860 and was actively mined until 1966. I was shocked to see these paintings still looked in pristine condition and really enjoyed spending a few minutes looking at each one. Today, the kilns sit in the middle of a park in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. One place we happened upon was in West Virginia. However, few have been left alone in the middle of nature like Rockland Furnace. 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