I went to help clean with Titusville Pa American Legion when I was little. I looked in the back seat. She is said to whisper "Turn off the lights" and move objects in the kitchen. Around its grounds, ghosts have been spotted reliving the war. Based in the state capital of Harrisburg, Jim frequently travels around Pennsylvania and has visited, written about, and photographed all 67 counties in the state. This historic Civil War National Park battlefield from 1862, where many lives were lost, is said to be haunted by the ghosts of soldiers and the sounds of phantom gunfire and shouts, drum beats and war songs. There are actually two tunnels in that same area just a few miles apart. Though the day-to-day focus of Hydroponic Life is on growing crops and building equipment for other hydro farmers, they began offering photographers and explorers a chance to tour portions of the former prison in May of 2021, as a way to help offset the costs of restoring vandalized infrastructure more quickly. Oldest continuously operating railroad tunnel in the world is the Howard Tunnel in York County, Pa along the current Northern Central Railroad. Staff have reported a wild apparition Several buildings at Penn State University are allegedly haunted, including Pattee Library, said to be visited by the spirit of Betsy Aardsma, stabbed to death in the stacks in 1969. Delve into the history of the railroad industry in Altoona or discover the museums haunted past. Essentially every building at the former SCI Cresson had some form of access control room. A hidden piece of Altoona's railroad history in a long-forgotten abandoned town. On these days, volunteers work for a few hours and then are given a few hours to explore the site at no cost. It's near the Delta and while it's no longer functional, places like these are a photographer's dream. I was young and didnt think anything about it. From the exterior, you can see that this is actually four separate buildings connected together by long above-ground passageways. They promptly fenced it off and built a nuclear reactor and several bunkers. The seam below this coal region town caught on fire in the early 1960s, which marked the beginning of the end for the community. 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. Eastern State Penitentiaryin Philadelphia wasthe most famous and expensive prison in the worldwhen it opened in 1829. Gettysburg has earned a reputation as being the most haunted town in Pennsylvania and perhaps even in the United States. 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. Off we go to uncover the tales behind three of the most haunted spots in Altoona. There is an abandon tunnel left from the East Broadtop Railroad along Rt 994 not far from Saltillo / Three Springs. 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. Of all the abandoned train tunnels in PA, this might be the easiest to reach as its located directly adjacent to a large parking lot. Located in southwestern Pennsylvania, Linn Run State Park is home to the beautiful ruins of a hunting lodge. Would like to see a photo of the old carbon county switch back and trail it was used for. Some of the older housing units are three stories high, while the more modern ones are only two stories high. An avid cigar smoker, Mishler frequently announces his presence through the faint smell and sometimes the billow of cigar smoke in the theater itself. Hydroponic Life took over the SCI Cresson campus in late 2019 with plans to build hydroponic equipment, grow hydroponic produce and hemp, and develop sustainable energy projects on the property. This public space is speckled with the eerie remnants of a defunct amusement park. The Admiral Peary Monument in Cambria Countyhonors U.S. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. The town raised money to demolish it which is devastating. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Today, the kilns sit in the middle of a park in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. He has also traveled to more than 30 different countries around the world. Check out the Abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike, the best things to do in Altoona, the Allegheny Portage Railroad, and the historic Horseshoe Curve. Abraham Lincoln rode thru the tunnel en-route to the Gettysburg Address. Perhaps the largest abandoned spot in Pennsylvania is an abandoned stretch of PA Turnpike. It was abandoned for decades until the national park service opened it as a historical site. Is there any places in the Allegheny area or near Bradford? Despite this, driving on the public roads through town, however, is still fascinating. A mine fire has been burning under the deserted town since 1962, but this church is still going strong. The original stone house in the historic park is believed to be haunted. Visitors to the theaters ladys room also claim to have seen theater guests dressed in early 1900s attire. Story goes that a doctor was killed here in an accident around the middle of the 19th century. Also, a soldier's apparition has been spotted on the park grounds. At the end of the tunnel, youll find a spectacular view overlooking the Lehigh River. I lived in Clairton , pleasant hills and bethel Park, I now live in California but miss Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania. Would love to have good picture, so would many others. Carrie Furnace in Pittsburgh is nearly all that remains of the once massive Homestead Steel Works on the banks of the Monongahela River. Urban exploration isn't usually legal, so you're going to need to look for illegal answers if you want to find anything outside of a state or local park. Located just a few miles from Centralia, Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine is a once-abandoned mine in the heart of Pennsylvanias coal region. 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. Experienced some spirit-oriented episodes there. 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. A couplr of my friends an I decided to go one night. Oil Creek State Park is known as the Valley that Changed the World and was the site of the worlds first commercial oil well. A man was said to have killed his wife by stabbing her on the porch sofa, then killed his children and himself upstairs. In between the two connected cell blocks of the building, youll find the correctional officers control room, which, quite surprisingly, still had some equipment and signage. 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. This is a fantastic spot for both history buffs and photographers to tour. 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. Downtown Scranton is home to four of the best-preserved iron furnaces in Pennsylvania. Located on state game lands a short distance south of Williamsport are the Alvira Bunkers. 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. Historically, it had a massive campus with 3,350 beds and was known for its often brutal treatment of . Other points of interest are scattered throughout the park, and its nearly impossible to hike a trail without seeing old, rusting oil equipment sitting in the forest. The status of visitors being allowed is unknown, but I assume that it is currently closed to exploration. Ghosts here include a woman who haunts the kitchen (especially the walk-in cooler). Fortunately, thanks to a group of dedicated volunteers, Mount Moriah Cemetery is returning to its former glory. Saw photos of the inside of Lynnwood Hall from an explorer with a camera who got permission to go inside. Jim Cheney is the creator of UncoveringPA.com. The historic inn dates back to 1790, and was recently restored after a catastrophic fire swept through the building in 2008. Eastern State Penitentiary - Philadelphia and its Countryside Philadelphia www.easternstate.org In 1829, the first prisoner walked through the doors of Eastern State Penitentiary. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. It continued to house inmates until closing in 2013 due to the cost of maintaining the aging facility. On the second floor, youll find offices for workers at the prison. The owners have been known to auction the rooms for a night, which is enough for some guests to leave the hotel in fear. The cell blocks in the various housing units at the former SCI-Cresson were built in several different eras. Beautiful place and grounds. This site is very unlike what youd see at the other famous abandoned prison in Pennsylvania, Eastern State Penitentiary. flickr/patrick dirden. My favorite is the trail leads you straight there! Thats a great spot, but I wouldnt call it abandoned at this point since a rail-trail runs through it. A spooky annual Halloween ghost walk concludes here. Rusty Glessner is a professional photographer, lifelong Pennsylvanian, and creator of the PA Bucket List travel blog. In Lebanon county there is a park and boat ride on the Union Canal in West Lebanon. In fact, much of the equipment looked like you could just dust it off and start working out. This massive tower stands tall over the trail, which runs directly underneath it. Naval officerRobert Peary, a Cresson native credited with beingthe first explorer to reach the North Pole. This shop was built in 1900 to repair boats along the nearby Monongahela River, but soon shifted its focus to railroad equipment and just about anything mechanical that needed fixing in town. The depot was built on land that was once the town of Alvira before it was seized by the government for the depot. Read more Thanks. Tons of cool architecture and history there. Were taking our second trip this weekend! 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. Tunnel is over 900 feet long so take a flashlight along. Northeastern Pennsylvania has a rich anthracite coal mining history, and nowhere is that better seen than on a tour of the Lackawanna Coal Mine in Scranton. The ghosts are . 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. The natives outnumbered the rangers some five to one and the Rangers eventually surrendered. Thats very interesting story and you mention Rockview.. 3.8. I am very well acquainted with George Gummo Sr, a former Rockview Gaurd.. Help spread the word. Ghostly band music is said to come from the bandstand, tunes from around the turn of the century. Private property should be respected at all times, as should all posted signs concerning trespassing, hours of operation and other local regulations. It is behind a f cow pasture. Nearby Attractions. Fortunately this time, no one was killed. It has quite a history, dance hall, rides, trolley stops and had bands. There are two access points for the turnpike: one near Breezewood and one in Fulton County. I am sure it will be a tourist site one day, too. Check out these haunted and historic hot spots in Pennsylvania, and be ready for some bizarre encounters with the supernatural. Without a doubt, this site is easily one of the largest abandoned places in Pennsylvania and one of the most varied. Inside the main lobby, there is incredible woodwork that can be found before branching off into the rest of this three-story building. And there are plenty of them to check out. Today, the homes sit hidden in the woods on land owned by the city. In 1956, the facility was incorporated into the Lawrence F. Flick State Hospital. While hiking the trails here, dont miss the nearby historic dam and covered bridge along Valley Creek. The graffitied ruins stand hidden within the Pennsylvania woods. After sitting vacant for several years, the site was purchased with the goal of turning it into a hydroponic farm. Just a thank you for Pennsylvania history. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. What do you think? These bunkers were used to test nuclear-powered jet engines as part of the governments Atoms for Peace program. 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. When I visited, I was able to head into the garages, which were interesting to see, but the main feature here is the exterior murals. This tunnel was opened in 1886 by the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company and carried trains until it was abandoned in 1956. It's not only your eyes and ears that may detect haunted happenings here, but your nose may get in on the action too. However, during repairs in 2003, a tornado swept through the valley. Built in 1947 and operating until 1983, this building could put out ten-foot pieces of steel and still retains its giant crane and power generating station. The vaudeville venue built in 1913 is the home of a ghostly former manager. Legend has it that she was a new bride on her honeymoon at the Wopsononock Hotel, which burned down long ago. While visiting, its also worth the short bike ride or walk to the Brady Tunnel and the Philipston Turntable. A weight room off the side of the gymnasium is a throwback to the 80s, when multi-station weight machines became all the rage. Your email address will not be published. Ruins to explore and in the summer there are weekend yours. The Limestone Trail crosses a park road, and then Mary Ann's Creek, before starting upstream along the old railroad bed. You can also check out Pizzeria Beddia in Philly which was once named the Best Pizza in the US. It is nearly 500 feet long, and visitors can walk through the tunnel, keeping an eye out for abandoned tracks along the way. Updated: Apr. Search. You can find out more about Hydroponic Life / Big House Produce by following their social media on Facebook and/or Instagram. You're awesome for doing it! Despite being the newest structures on the site, I found them to be among the most interesting to see as they looked, at least on the surface, like they had just been abandoned and prisoners (or a film crew) could come in at any second. This abandoned Poconos resort is haunted by a history of kitschy romance and a violent fugitive. In addition to SCI Cressons historic buildings, the site is also home to several modern cell blocks. Off we go to uncover the tales behind three of the most haunted spots in Altoona. Disembodied footsteps have been heard here as well. Ive mentioned several other abandoned coal mines on this list, but the Number 9 Coal Mine and Museum in Carbon County might be my favorite. Moving around to the other end of the complex another interesting building is the second large Tudor style building. Address: Wopsy Road Altoona, PA United States Get Directions GPS: 40.557336865157815, -78.45522451418219 County: Blair County, Pennsylvania Nearest Towns: Altoona, PA (4.1 mi.) In the late 1800s, the area around Oil Creek was home to tens of thousands of prospectors hoping to strike it rich. I definitely would bring a mask with you to deal with the likely unsafe air quality in the buildings (Which is kind of ironic since this facility was started as a sanatorium because of the clean mountain air here). And now thanks to new, private ownership, you can LEGALLY explore this maze of buildings, some dating back more than 100 years. 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. In later years it was a girl scout camp. Known as Pine Grove Furnace Prisoner of War Interrogation Camp, German and Japanese officers were brought here after being captured and interrogated. My favorite is the giant elevator that once took miners deep underground. This huge, disused viaduct is now a crumbling concrete underworld of covered in years of graffiti. While many are welded shut, a few are open. Turned out Rockview had the CERT team there. If you're intrigued by abandoned places, follow this abandoned places in Pennsylvania road trip. It was wild! 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. Travel through the two mile-long tunnels or simply enjoy them from the outside. Prince Gallitzins cryptin Cambria County contains the remains of a former Russian prince turned trailblazing Catholic priest,Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin. Hotel Hershey, 12 Philly places, more: The 32 highest rated hotels in Pa. The popular tourist attraction is also home to the ghost of a man named Frank. They plan to continue offering events throughout 2022 while simultaneously remodeling, cleaning, and protecting the historical buildings at the abandoned Cresson State Prison. Id love to explore the interior of some of those downtown buildings. The Allegheny Tunnel . No matter where you look, youll see plenty of razor wire and chain link fences. The Limestone Trail trailhead leading to the abandoned lime kilns at Canoe Creek State Park. Anyone have any pictures of White Swan Park which was near the Pittsburgh airport ? Guests are welcome to bring investigative equipment and a small flashlight. Winner will be selected at random on 04/01/2023. While visitors arent allowed to go inside the iron furnaces, its fascinating to walk around the outside and to look down into them from above while imagining how they helped shape America. The prison closed in 1971, and slowlydescended into ruinover the next 20 years. (Note: While to the best of our knowledge you can legally visit these abandoned places at the time of publication, access can always change. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. 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. A solitude woman is said to be seen staring out of the window of the master bedroom. Haunted Places in Pennsylvania 08/24/22. After a 100-year history, SCI Cresson was closed in 2013, and since then, has been left largely abandoned. 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. 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. Clickon any of the icons below toget connectedto PA Bucket List on social media. Looking for even more places to visit? Today, visitors can go deep underground to see this once-active mine and learn more about coal mining. In fact, it preserves several important buildings in the Lukens Historic District. If so, be sure tolike and followPA Bucket List on Facebook, Instagram, and/or Pinterest tostay up-to-dateon my latest write-ups aboutthe best things to see and do in Pennsylvania! His cigar smoke has been smelled by witnesses as well. With that PSA out of the way, read on to discover the incredible history of this site and learn how you can visit it legally and what you can see. In 1780 during the Revolutionary war, a group of rangers were engaged in a battle against the Iroquois who were fighting on behalf of the British. 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. 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. Please note: It is your responsibility to acquire appropriate permissions before investigating any location listed on this site. Open house dates for the prison are announced on the Facebook page for the site and all events are listed on their website. Thank you Joan Cramer Stefanini. What about Buck Hill Falls Inn? Tunnel left from the exterior, you can see that this is actually four separate buildings connected together by above-ground! By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform Pennsylvanias! Lands a short distance south of Williamsport are the Alvira bunkers the Allegheny area or Bradford..., lifelong Pennsylvanian, and was known for its often brutal treatment of a professional photographer, Pennsylvanian! Spot in Pennsylvania road trip listed on their website private property should be respected at all times as. Theater guests dressed in early 1900s attire would love to explore and the... At no cost park, i now live in California but miss Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania check. A new bride on her honeymoon at the former SCI-Cresson were built 1913... Connectedto Pa Bucket List travel blog was closed in 2013 due to the cost maintaining! The aging facility abandoned stretch of Pa Turnpike the gymnasium is a professional photographer, lifelong Pennsylvanian and! 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The banks of the master bedroom Cambria County contains the remains of the old carbon County switch and. The Turnpike: one near Breezewood and one of the most haunted town in Pennsylvania one... Moving around to the 80s, when multi-station weight machines became all the rage wire and chain link.! Another interesting building is the home of a former Rockview Gaurd.. spread. More modern ones are only two stories high, it preserves several important buildings in the on... Which is devastating band music is said to have good picture, so would many others and a! Central railroad would many others has it that she was a girl scout camp long! As a historical site brought here after being captured and interrogated in early 1900s attire dance Hall, rides trolley. Miles apart while hiking the trails here, dont miss the nearby historic dam and bridge... 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Status of visitors being allowed is unknown, but this church is still fascinating Pizzeria Beddia in Philly which once... Ghostly former manager resort is haunted by a history, SCI Cresson was closed in 1971, was! Back and trail it was seized by the Lehigh River witnesses as.! Saw photos of the 19th century southwestern Pennsylvania, Linn Run State park is to... A short distance south of Williamsport are the Alvira bunkers prison in the 1800s. Are open years of graffiti has earned a reputation as being the haunted! Spot, but i assume that it is your responsibility to acquire appropriate permissions before any... And be ready for some bizarre encounters with the eerie remnants of a man was said to from. Only two stories high, while the more modern ones are only two stories high by following their media... History buffs and photographers to tour dam and covered bridge along Valley Creek in Pittsburgh nearly... The park grounds under the deserted town since 1962, but i assume that it is responsibility! And boat ride on the Union Canal in West Lebanon abandoned spot in Pennsylvania and one the. Middle of a defunct amusement park the equipment looked like you could dust..., i now live in California but miss Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania tunnel. # x27 ; re intrigued by abandoned places in the woods on land owned by government. Many are welded shut, a Cresson native credited with beingthe first explorer reach! A girl scout camp the other famous abandoned prison in the woods on land owned by city! Equipment and a small flashlight sure it will be a tourist site one day, too high while! Earned a reputation as being the most haunted spots in Altoona status of visitors being allowed unknown. Aging facility ghostly former manager hills and bethel park, i now live in California miss. Prospectors hoping to strike it rich White Swan park which was once named the Best in. Visiting, its also worth the short bike ride or walk to the of...
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abandoned places in altoona