It continued to house inmates until closing in 2013 due to the cost of maintaining the aging facility. The graffitied ruins stand hidden within the Pennsylvania woods. Spent summers on a horse farm with no electric and it gets darker than u can imagine. It was abandoned for decades until the national park service opened it as a historical site. However, in recent years, Big House Produce has begun converting the site into a hydroponic farm for a variety of crops. Sadly, years of neglect left this cemetery, which was first opened in 1855 and was once the site of Betsy Ross grave, overgrown and nearly unvisitable. A spooky annual Halloween ghost walk concludes here. Ran into fellow officers. The grounds here are so massive that I made a second full-day visit in November of 2021. Located in Michaux State Forest, Camp Michaux is a former prison-of-war camp from World War II. Opened from 1855 until 1972, this was the longest active anthracite coal mine in the world and had tunnels as deep as 800 feet below the ground. This is a crock. Guests say she opens their drawers and removes the clothing from them. The Railroaders Museum is said to be haunted by a spirit named Frank, who has been seen all over the museum. Seeing this piece of history is well worth the cost of the tour. Contrast that with other areas of the prison where the more modern, industrial-style buildings are prominent features. Its not a rugged trail is a bike/walking trail so it easily accessible maybe not wheelchair but beginner hikers and kids would have no problem making it to the site. Where im from we call it horseshoe curve. The Scranton Iron Furnaces were built in the 1850s and in operation until the early 1900s. Beautiful place and grounds. Legend has it that a ghost saved this 1730s historic inn from being destroyed by fire. Off we go to uncover the tales behind three of the most haunted spots in Altoona. The buildings were built in the 1920s and 1930s for workers at the nearby limestone mine. Over the next few years, buildings were torn down and others were built in their place to turn the site into a modern and state-of-the-art prison. This freedom gives you the chance to enter nearly all of the structures and to find the spots that interest you the most. 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! Almost all of the buildings have either a number or a letter emblazoned on them. Yellow Dog Village is a former company town in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. I was an opening GM before when it had lost its flag from a Ramada. Eldora Park between Donora and Monongahela in Carroll Township. By all accounts, this was a pleasant and desirable community to live in, though it was short-lived due to plumping and other issues. You definitely WILL encounter flaking paint, broken glass, dark corridors, and other hazards typical when exploring abandoned buildings, so dress appropriately and come prepared for that. The Abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike is a 13 mile stretch of roadway that was part of the original alignment of the PA Turnpike. 2023 Rusty Glessner Photography, LLC / PA Bucket List. This is a fantastic spot for both history buffs and photographers to tour. At the house, now a tourist attraction, visitors can see a bullet hole in the door. (Submitted by Chris Berglund), Voices and odd noises are heard, doors open by themselves, and shadows have been seen here. Please only visit with permission. No doubt countless pick-up games were played on this court over the years the prison was in operation. This abandoned iron furnace was one of the first to use cokea type of high-carbon fuelto make iron. Thats a great spot, but I wouldnt call it abandoned at this point since a rail-trail runs through it. No purchase necessary. Another building to search out is the prisons gymnasium. Corrections officers kept an eye on the cell block from behind reinforced glass windows. Same story of lady in white on beluah road. The future site of SCI Cresson began life as the Cresson Tuberculosis Sanatorium. Experiencing Raystown Lake Witout a Boat - You don't need a boat to explore Pennsylvania largest lake. Around its grounds, ghosts have been spotted reliving the war. Visitors to this site have reported hearing the harrowing sounds of battle, although nothing appears to be happening on the quiet field. I would also recommend bringing a flashlight with you as some of the space, particularly in the basements, is pitch black and there appear to be no electric lights in any of the open buildings. It seems that in the late 1800s a sheriff was shot to death by a gang of bandits on the staircase leading between the jail and the attached brick building, which was the jailer's family home. My trip report from my second visit contains more than 50 new photos as well! Id love to be a guide there. Youll journey less than 100 miles to the sprawling town that boasts some pretty amazing haunted tales. The post office and the fire dept are both in existence too. Today, its laying on its side around piles of bricks waiting for hopeful restoration. (Submitted by Callum Swift). HauntedPlaces.org makes no claims that any of the statements posted here are factually accurate. Hiking the Abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike - Located in Bedford and Fulton Counties is a 13-mile stretch of abandoned highway that you can legally explore. 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. It is a short walk along the tracks through the woods. 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. 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? Ghostly band music is said to come from the bandstand, tunes from around the turn of the century. After sitting vacant for several years, the site was purchased with the goal of turning it into a hydroponic farm. When the mine closed in the early 1930s, it was thought to be a temporary closure, so all the equipment was placed inside the mine before it was closed. Its amazing to tour the homes and think about what it would have been like to have lived in this community. The abandoned turnpike tunnels of western Pennsylvania Three turnpikes in western Pennsylvania were bypassed in the late 1960s when highways were modernized, and two remain abandoned today,. A weight room off the side of the gymnasium is a throwback to the 80s, when multi-station weight machines became all the rage. The vaudeville venue built in 1913 is the home of a ghostly former manager. While visiting, its also worth the short bike ride or walk to the Brady Tunnel and the Philipston Turntable. Gettysburg. Copyright 2013-2023 Uncovering Media, LLC - All Rights Reserved, Find more things to do in the Alleghenies Region, How to Get to Indian Wells Overlook in Rothrock State Forest, Visiting the Fort Bedford Museum in Bedford, PA, DelGrossos Amusement Park: A Great Outing for the Kids in the Alleghenies, Altoonas Horseshoe Curve: A Must-See for Train Lovers. Now Ill have to do it this summer and stop!! Opened as a state-of-the-art prison in 1829, Eastern State Penitentiaryin Philadelphia was the model for many future correctional facilities. 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. All that's left is a parking lot and a big oak. However, by 1873, the town was essentially abandoned. While the nuclear reactor was dismantled decades ago, the bunkers remain buried underground. Many "ghost hunters" have been arrested because they failed to contact property owners and/or local authorities ahead of time. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Located a short distance south of Pittsburgh in Rices Landing, PA, youll find the W.A. The land used to belong to Col. George Wiestling, a veteran of the Civil War who died in 1891. Wear study boots and bring a flashlight, so that you are prepared to safely explore the former prison grounds. It's home to a ghost nicknamed Handsome Paul, who appears suited up for a night out. They also have started opening the site up for self-guided tours to people interested in urbex, photography, and the sites history, as well as for other events such as ghost hunts. Some people still see him wandering along this road (used to transfer him); he is Cemeteries near Altoona, PA As their carriage rounded the Devils Elbow, there was an accident and both were killed. This massive tower stands tall over the trail, which runs directly underneath it. 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). 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. Your CommentsHave a photograph taken from this location? Despite this, driving on the public roads through town, however, is still fascinating. The town raised money to demolish it which is devastating. Help spread the word. On this visit I got to check out the tunnels that run BENEATH the complex. Yes, many people still live there. Reportedly haunted by over a dozen ghosts, including the most ubiquitous, a former nurse named Mary who is said to still attempt to comfort the ill and a young boy who was killed in an accident. This site is very unlike what youd see at the other famous abandoned prison in Pennsylvania, Eastern State Penitentiary. 27, . In 1911, the dam failed and the ensuing flood of water killed 78 people. Near the park office once stood the community of Petroleum Centre, though all that remains are a set of steps that once led to the bank. Looking for even more places to visit? The owners have been known to auction the rooms for a night, which is enough for some guests to leave the hotel in fear. TheAllegheny Tunnel(known originally as the Summit Tunnel) in nearby Gallitzin wasthe longest railroad tunnel in the worldat the time of its completion, at3,612 feet. A mine fire has been burning under the deserted town since 1962, but this church is still going strong. This old hotel, established in 1797, is haunted by Rachel, among other spirits. But, just happened to be hosting Mock-Riot training years back. Voice your opinion here! Search. Today, it sits abandoned in the woods just waiting for people to come and explore it. See. Thats a famous historical train site. While its not as large as the basketball court in the main gym, its still in pretty good shape and still had the baskets hanging at either end of the court. Hotel Hershey, 12 Philly places, more: The 32 highest rated hotels in Pa. (Submitted by Chris Berglund), A former volunteer named Jack is commonly seen in the basement. She is believed to the first wife of Edgar Kaufmann, depressed by his unfaithfulness. I am sure it will be a tourist site one day, too. Thank you for publishing this article and telling of your experience. Click here to read her tragic tale. A planned settlement in Pennsylvania once housed the aristocratic refugees of the French Revolution. While you cant go into the furnaces, an elevated walkway allows visitors to get a close up look at these blast furnaces and peer inside their rusty confines. Tours are given and during the Halloween season, midnight tours. Same experiences, Just got back from this bogus site. Note: As of late 2021, it appears that Yellow Dog Village is for sale. Guests staying at this 1937 hotel have reported a spook haunting the upstairs rooms. You can also check out Pizzeria Beddia in Philly which was once named the Best Pizza in the US. The site of one of the most pivotal battles in the Civil War is never in short supply of any ghost stories and haunted places. Moving around to the other end of the complex another interesting building is the second large Tudor style building. Frightened, the two desperately finally managed to close the Locals tell a harrowing story of something that may happen near here: A strange fog gathers quickly, and from out of the mysterious fog comes a ghostly battle. It opened in 1911 with 20 duplex homes. 9.9 miles from Altoona, WA The historic 1925 theater has played host to the likes of Jack Benny, Guy Lombardo, Duke Ellington and Al Capone. Abandoned downtown and hospital on the hill with nurses quarters. Since the spring of 2021, they have held events where photographers and history lovers can visit the prison and explore the site on their own. Would like to see a photo of the old carbon county switch back and trail it was used for. According to locals, she operated an orphanage located at this very site during the Civil War era. Located only a stones throw from the Abandoned PA Turnpike, youll find an abandoned railroad archhiding deep in the woods. After this second failure, Austin Dam was abandoned and left to crumble. Grace Chapel was built in 1914, as part of the original Cresson Tuberculosis Sanatorium. Its steeple rises above many of the buildings, so its fairly easy to find from many areas throughout the prison grounds. Lock Ridge furnace in Alburtis Pa. Her parents buried Redstone Cem where we go Would love to have good picture, so would many others. Make sure to obey any signage you might see, and obtain owner permission or pay the admission fees where required.). Tille Pierce is well known as she wrote a book in the aftermath of Gettysburg about her experiences during the battle. SCI Cresson opened in 1987 as a medium-security correctional facility for male inmates. For future events, Ive been told that they will be providing a map of the site, which should help with finding your way around the facility and finding the buildings that you most want to visit. And there are plenty of them to check out. What about Buck Hill Falls Inn? 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. Winner will be selected at random on 04/01/2023. Andy Weimer, Traffic Coordinator 814-949-2496 . The more modern cells are far cleaner, but still not somewhere Id want to call home! The historic inn dates back to 1790, and was recently restored after a catastrophic fire swept through the building in 2008. The Westinghouse Atom Smasher can be found laying on its side in a residential neighborhood east of downtown Pittsburgh. While some of the auxiliary wings were torn down when converting the site into a prison, much of the structure still stands today. Without a doubt, this site is easily one of the largest abandoned places in Pennsylvania and one of the most varied. Disembodied footsteps have been heard here as well. In the far left building white building (if looking at the front of the complex), youll find the prisons medical facility, which might be the most interesting space here. It has been seen on TV's Ghost Hunters, and as a setting in the movie Gettysburg. Hope you have fun! Prince Gallitzins cryptin Cambria County contains the remains of a former Russian prince turned trailblazing Catholic priest,Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin. This camp was used by four different groups in the 1930s and 1940s, culminating with usage for German POWs in the mid-1940s. You missed Pithole PA near Oil Creek State Park. Fortunately, thanks to a group of dedicated volunteers, Mount Moriah Cemetery is returning to its former glory. In truth, I could keep going on and on discussing the many cool things I found while exploring the abandoned SCI Cresson. I went to help clean with Titusville Pa American Legion when I was little. He has also traveled to more than 30 different countries around the world. These bunkers were used to test nuclear-powered jet engines as part of the governments Atoms for Peace program. Witnesses say they have felt a heavy presence inside, during which it is difficult to breathe. Required fields are marked *. A solitude woman is said to be seen staring out of the window of the master bedroom. When the door opened, they saw a thriving hospital scene, only without sound. These disused steel furnaces are now haunting ruins that may one day be a national park. 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. Carrie Blast Furnace in Rankin. There is stuff like the Scotia ghost town, but you probably found that with the touristy stuff. Visitors to the theaters ladys room also claim to have seen theater guests dressed in early 1900s attire. It is believed to be haunted. Legend has it that she was a new bride on her honeymoon at the Wopsononock Hotel, which burned down long ago. Mishler Theatre - 1208 12th Avenue #206, Altoona, PA 16601 Wikipedia/Public Domain A landmark in Altoona since 1906, The Mishler Theater attracts visitors for its family entertainment and its ghostly spirits. 2023 Atlas Obscura. You can hike in state parks at night, but any other area and you risk being shot as a trespasser or by a hunter. Meanwhile, the basement is in quite rough shape, with very little light and peeling paint. During my exploration, I was able to, I believe, enter into every unlocked building, and each structure had interesting spaces to explore, though some obviously were more interesting than others. I have said in a post on another forum that if the couple killed were prominant, there should have been newspaper stories, exact dates, etc. Regardless, her spirit is said to still roam the tunnel today. The most popular spot at Centralia was Graffiti Highway, but this spot was sadly destroyed recently by the property owner. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. Read more 0 Flavel Mansion Astoria, Oregon After the war, it became a church camp until the early 1970s. 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. Jennie Wade was a seamstress and the only civilian to be directly killed in the Battle of Gettysburg when a stray bullet entered this house, where she was visiting her sister. He handed them some ammunition for Psychics say that the energy here is high because there an Indian burial ground beneath the land. The homes were lived in continuously until just a few years ago. I am very well acquainted with George Gummo Sr, a former Rockview Gaurd.. Help spread the word. 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. If you are looking for something a bit different, Big House Produce has also started hosting other types of events such as ghost hunts and airsoft military-style games in the facility. Off we go to uncover the tales behind three of the most haunted spots in Altoona. There are actually two tunnels in that same area just a few miles apart. A train station that was abandoned by the coal industry and was later converted into a cocktail bar. If you've had a paranormal experience here, or have any additional information about this location, please let us know! By voluntarily exploring this location, YOU assume the risk of any personal injury or damage to personal property, and shall not hold the author liable for any injuries, losses, or damages that may occur while visiting. When it left, 60% of the bridge lay mangled on the valley floor. Collection of trolley cars in the woods represent one man's attempt to preserve transportation history. Some of the older cells have an enormous amount of peeling paint coming off the ceiling and walls, thus my recommendation to bring a dust mask along. I stumbled across a very old headstone with 1700 dates on it. In 1903, the university was founded, but Wiestling is said to remain. Today, the homes sit hidden in the woods on land owned by the city. She has been seen on the turret's balcony. She disappears from cars at the Devils Elbow. 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