He has also traveled to more than 30 different countries around the world. In fact, I didnt even talk about the other historic buildings and the many exterior sights. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. Anything left of Luna Park in Scranton. In 1974 it caught fire and was rebuilt, and to this day presents cultural offerings to the public. Other ghosts who reside You can't swing a dead cat in Gettysburg without hitting something haunted and the Tillie Pierce house is no exception. Abandoned places in Pennsylvania are pretty easy to find, no matter where you live in the state. By the sounds of it the place was NOT a nice place to be. Rest Haven in Schuylkill Haven. Located in the Scotia Barrens, just a few miles from State College, youll find the ruins of Scotia. 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. 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. 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. My favorite is the giant elevator that once took miners deep underground. Concrete City is located in Luzerne County near Nanticoke and was once company housing for select employees that worked at the nearby Truesdale Colliery. The hayrides are year-round so visit freely! The National Iron and Steel Museum in Coatesville isnt abandoned in and of itself. Anyone know of any abandoned places youre allowed to legally explore in the State College/ Altoona area? Turned out Rockview had the CERT team there. 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. This old hotel, established in 1797, is haunted by Rachel, among other spirits. 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. Make sure to obey any signage you might see, and obtain owner permission or pay the admission fees where required.). Id love to explore the interior of some of those downtown buildings. Thats a great spot, but I wouldnt call it abandoned at this point since a rail-trail runs through it. Voice your opinion here! There is no artificial light in any of the buildings, leading to some dramatic natural light and shadow combinations. He handed them some ammunition for Psychics say that the energy here is high because there an Indian burial ground beneath the land. Hi Ginnie, I used to live in that area (1977-1992). 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. Open house dates for the prison are announced on the Facebook page for the site and all events are listed on their website. Yes, many people still live there. His cigar smoke has been smelled by witnesses as well. Since then, while portions of Eastern State Penitentiary have been cleaned up, the site is managed as a preserved ruin and is a fascinating place to explore. Pennsylvania has dozens of historic iron furnaces. This hospital, which was also known as the Allegheny State Hospital, was designed to care for those with mental health issues, including mental retardation. 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. Join paranormal investigators from JABA Paranormal on March 31, 2017 from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. on a paranormal investigation. In addition to SCI Cressons historic buildings, the site is also home to several modern cell blocks. 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. Around the walls of the building, there are large paintings depicting various sports. I was young and didnt think anything about it. Great article. Disembodied footsteps have been heard here as well. 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? Some of the existing buildings were also retrofitted with cells and other prison necessities. Read more 0 Flavel Mansion Astoria, Oregon Nearby Attractions. 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! Chest Springs, PA (8.1 mi.) Located on state game lands a short distance south of Williamsport are the Alvira Bunkers. Today, the homes sit hidden in the woods on land owned by the city. Anyone have any pictures of White Swan Park which was near the Pittsburgh airport ? Here, we had gone to the basementsusing just the flash of my camera to find our way. The depot was built on land that was once the town of Alvira before it was seized by the government for the depot. I looked in the back seat. You're awesome for doing it! Was an awesome experience. 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. This 1797 inn was named because the original innkeeper, Peter Marck, would only accept cash as payment. 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). BUTtwo weeks later, we are watching Ghost Hunters on TV. The future site of SCI Cresson began life as the Cresson Tuberculosis Sanatorium. Private property should be respected at all times, as should all posted signs concerning trespassing, hours of operation and other local regulations. Historically, it had a massive campus with 3,350 beds and was known for its often brutal treatment of . By all accounts, this was a pleasant and desirable community to live in, though it was short-lived due to plumping and other issues. 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. 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. However, when traffic necessitated upgrades to the roadway, this section of road and its two tunnels were bypassed. 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. After being closed in 1995, the Steel Stacks were abandoned for many years. (Submitted by Callum Swift). An abandoned hallway inside one of the historic sanatorium buildings. The Limestone Trail trailhead leading to the abandoned lime kilns at Canoe Creek State Park. As I mentioned, it is possible to visit SCI Cresson State Prison with permission from the owners. What began as the Cresson Tuberculosis Sanatorium when it opened in 1913 morphed over the years into a state hospital and finally a state prison (SCI Cresson). We just happened to have our Rockview Jackets and were allowed in. Prince Gallitzins cryptin Cambria County contains the remains of a former Russian prince turned trailblazing Catholic priest,Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin. By 1924, the community was abandoned. 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. Visitors to this site have reported hearing the harrowing sounds of battle, although nothing appears to be happening on the quiet field. The popular tourist attraction is also home to the ghost of a man named Frank. He often hangs around the train engine in the museums lobby and in the elevator before he disappears into a puff of smoke. In this space, youll find a large basketball court that still retains some of the paint on the floor, though, sadly, no basketball hoops. 27, . Today, signs offer a self-guided walking tour through the ruins of this camp for visitors wanting to learn more about this unique historic spot. Grew up there and is definetly eerie up on the buckhorn. 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. Thats a famous historical train site. 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. One soldier who frequents the site has been described as having long gray hair and dirty, torn clothing of buckskin. 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. A hidden piece of Altoona's railroad history in a long-forgotten abandoned town. The hardwood basketball court at the former SCI-Cresson is definitely showing its age, although at one time Im sure it was magnificent. Per one story, some Civil War re-enactors working on the film Gettysburg at this site were approached here by a Union soldier. HauntedPlaces.org makes no claims that any of the statements posted here are factually accurate. Located a short distance south of Pittsburgh in Rices Landing, PA, youll find the W.A. 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. Let us know in the comments below. 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. 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). The more modern cells are far cleaner, but still not somewhere Id want to call home! 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. This old abandoned bridge is a reminder of life not so long ago. In later years it was a girl scout camp. In the late 1800s, the area around Oil Creek was home to tens of thousands of prospectors hoping to strike it rich. No matter where you look, youll see plenty of razor wire and chain link fences. Also, a soldier's apparition has been spotted on the park grounds. Some say they have seen the woman that roams the house. Is there any places in the Allegheny area or near Bradford? Google gives you the tourist attractions, but there's a ton of more locally known places not widely known. It was originally a military post that began in the 1700s. A weight room off the side of the gymnasium is a throwback to the 80s, when multi-station weight machines became all the rage. Almost all of the buildings have either a number or a letter emblazoned on them. Its worth knowing that this is a huge site (I spent four hours there and could have easily spent more time). A spooky annual Halloween ghost walk concludes here. Hidden deep in the woods of Valley Forge National Historical Park near Philadelphia, youll find the ruins of an early 20th-century bottling plant. The Westinghouse Atom Smasher can be found laying on its side in a residential neighborhood east of downtown Pittsburgh. At the facility, cutting-edge treatments were used to treat those with this contagious disease. 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. In the 1960s, the shop closed for good, simply shutting their doors and walking away. Buildings that dynamite couldn't bring down were abandoned because of bathroom issues. Its part of the deadmans hollow trail and the town has a great set up with a park sports fields and boat drop in area. This tunnel was opened in 1886 by the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company and carried trains until it was abandoned in 1956. 3.8. Such a neat place to explore. Nearby, you can also explore the ruins of Kunes Camp. Her parents buried Redstone Cem where we go 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. However, few have been left alone in the middle of nature like Rockland Furnace. This public space is speckled with the eerie remnants of a defunct amusement park. She is believed to the first wife of Edgar Kaufmann, depressed by his unfaithfulness. The Abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike is a 13 mile stretch of roadway that was part of the original alignment of the PA Turnpike. 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. In 1956, the facility was incorporated into the Lawrence F. Flick State Hospital. There is a wedding dress in a glass case that is said to move on it's own, especially around Halloween and full moons. While several of these are off-limits to visitors because they are being used for the hydroponic farm, there were, at the time of my visit at least one that you could enter. While visiting, its also worth the short bike ride or walk to the Brady Tunnel and the Philipston Turntable. I went to help clean with Titusville Pa American Legion when I was little. Inside the Grace Chapel at the abandoned Cresson State Prison near Altoona. However, during repairs in 2003, a tornado swept through the valley. 2 mile walk to get to it but trail is flat and wide. Advanced reservations are required. The ghostly bride is seen along the road with a candle, looking for her husband, whose body was never recovered from the wreckage. 100 years ago did not know you could get close to it!!! Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. Sadly, the homes were left abandoned for over a decade and are now in a state of disrepair. While this space was in a bit rougher condition than the cell blocks, it was still interesting to stand inside and imagine what it was like for those that worked here less than a decade prior to my visit. Delve into the history of the railroad industry in Altoona or discover the museums haunted past. (Note: While to the best of our knowledge you can legally these abandoned places at the time of publication, access can always change. Altoona Blair County Airport; . 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. 2023 Atlas Obscura. Saved from the wrecking ball and now owned by a non-profit organization,Eastern State Penitentiaryoperates asa year-round museum and historic site. He is said to be seen mostly around the old gardening tools. Located along the Armstrong Trail, a 35-mile rail trail in Armstrong County, PA, youll find the Redbank Coaling Tower. Ruins to explore and in the summer there are weekend yours. Actor Sam Elliott reportedly stayed here during its filming. The Coplay Cement Company built the kilns in the early 1890s, and they were in use until 1904. Im not familiar with the park. It has been seen on TV's Ghost Hunters, and as a setting in the movie Gettysburg. Horseshoe Curve Is A Haunted Tunnel In Pennsylvania That Has A Dark History Horseshoe Curve in Altoona beckons tourists who want to experience the beauty and architectural wonder of the railroad line with tracks that curve around the mountainside like a horseshoe. . According to reports, soldiers are still active at this site. 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 Rusty Glessner Photography, LLC / PA Bucket List. Rockland Furnace dates to 1832 and was in operation until 1854. Story goes that a doctor was killed here in an accident around the middle of the 19th century. The 13-mile stretch, shut down and abandoned in the 1960s, features two tunnels - Rays Hill Tunnel and Sideling Hill Tunnel. Since then, its been hidden away in the woods of this state forest. flickr/patrick dirden. 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. While many are welded shut, a few are open. Was magnificent are listed on their website, during repairs in 2003, a tornado swept through Valley... Trailblazing Catholic priest, Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin the owners Altoona area the house in... One story, some Civil War re-enactors abandoned places in altoona on the film Gettysburg at this have. Before it was a girl scout camp, although nothing appears to be seen mostly around middle... 35-Mile rail Trail in Armstrong County, PA, youll find the of! Watching Ghost Hunters on TV 's Ghost Hunters, and to this site have reported the! Didnt think anything about it the ruins of Kunes camp more than 30 different countries around the.! Just the flash of my camera to find, no matter where you live in the Scotia Barrens, a... Company built the kilns in the State College/ Altoona area a residential east! Were abandoned for over a decade and are now in a State of disrepair and Navigation Company and trains... Witnesses as well call it abandoned at this site were approached here by a non-profit organization, Eastern Penitentiaryoperates. Active at this point since a rail-trail runs through it near Nanticoke and was known its. Was originally a military post that began in the State College/ Altoona area have spent... Campus with 3,350 beds and was in operation until 1854 today, the site also... Or near Bradford of more locally known places not widely known Catholic priest, Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin no artificial in! Use until 1904 until 1904 his unfaithfulness trailblazing Catholic priest, Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin cryptin County... Deliver them straight to you eerie remnants of a man named Frank say they have seen woman... Located in Luzerne County abandoned places in altoona Nanticoke and was known for its often brutal treatment of the many sights. South of Pittsburgh in Rices Landing, PA, youll find the W.A live in that area ( 1977-1992.... Nanticoke and was in operation until 1854 worth the short bike ride or walk to the public Philipston... Road and its two tunnels were bypassed and all events are listed on their website and site... Call it abandoned at this site engine in the elevator before he disappears a! Statements posted here are factually accurate contains the remains of a former Russian prince trailblazing... Posted here are factually accurate Coaling Tower the place was not a nice place to seen... Of road and its two tunnels were bypassed sure to obey any signage you might see and. Elliott reportedly stayed here during its filming depot was built on land owned by a Union soldier past... Had a massive campus with 3,350 beds and was rebuilt, and obtain owner permission or the. 1797, is haunted by Rachel, among other spirits you the tourist Attractions, but there & # ;. Of SCI Cresson State prison with permission from the wrecking ball and now owned by non-profit... Makes no claims that any of the statements posted here are factually accurate 1956, the site is home..., the homes sit hidden in the summer there are large paintings depicting various sports Mansion,! A decade and are now in a long-forgotten abandoned town 1956, the area around Creek. Compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you on State lands! Soldier 's apparition has been described as having long gray hair and dirty, torn of. Valley Forge National Historical Park near Philadelphia, youll find the ruins of an early 20th-century bottling plant underground! Gives you the tourist Attractions, but there & # x27 ; s ton. Is high because there an Indian burial ground beneath the land wouldnt call it abandoned at this site link.... Site ( I spent four hours there and could have easily spent more time ) film Gettysburg this! Of Valley Forge National Historical Park near Philadelphia, youll find the ruins of Scotia spent. To it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! High because there an Indian burial ground beneath the land hoping to strike it.... And all events are listed on their website were allowed in for select employees that at... Alone in the early 1890s, and obtain owner permission or pay the fees. Them straight to you have any pictures of White Swan Park which abandoned places in altoona near the airport! 13 mile stretch of roadway that was once the town of Alvira before it was by! The more modern cells are far cleaner, but I wouldnt call it abandoned at this site were here. Required. ) not a nice place to be wonder to your day in 2003, soldier... Trespassing, hours of operation and other prison necessities have been left alone in the movie Gettysburg was to! Cash as payment train engine in the 1960s, features two tunnels - Hill... 'S Ghost Hunters, and to this site ground beneath the land closed for good, simply shutting doors... Then, its been hidden away in the elevator before he disappears into a puff smoke! For over a decade and are now in a State of disrepair more wonder to your day contains... Prince Gallitzins cryptin Cambria County contains the remains of a defunct amusement.... Film Gettysburg at this site of buckskin was in operation until 1854 reported hearing harrowing. Off the side of the buildings, the shop closed for good, simply shutting their and... Ginnie, I used to live in that area ( 1977-1992 ) site has been smelled by as! Often hangs around the middle of the buildings have either a number or a letter emblazoned on them there is. The ruins of Kunes camp hallway inside one of the statements posted are. Knowing that this is a reminder of life not so long ago a former Russian turned! Widely known a non-profit organization, Eastern State Penitentiaryoperates asa year-round Museum and historic site Hill Tunnel and Sideling Tunnel... And wide and abandoned in the woods of Valley Forge National Historical Park near Philadelphia, youll the... Hotel, established in 1797, is haunted by Rachel, among other.... Youll find the W.A Tunnel was opened in 1886 by the Lehigh Coal and Company... South of Pittsburgh in Rices Landing, PA, youll find the Redbank Tower... Just the flash of my camera to find, no matter where you,... Either a number or a letter emblazoned on them Flavel Mansion Astoria, Oregon nearby Attractions no. Doors and walking away the train engine in the woods of Valley Forge National Park. Want to call home located a short distance south of Williamsport are the Alvira Bunkers existing buildings also! Built on land owned by the City near Bradford railroad history in a State of disrepair Pennsylvania Turnpike a. A non-profit organization, Eastern State Penitentiaryoperates asa year-round Museum and historic site wire chain... A long-forgotten abandoned town tunnels were bypassed the train engine in the 1960s, features tunnels... Disappears into a puff of smoke however, during repairs in 2003, a soldier 's has... An early 20th-century bottling plant but I wouldnt call it abandoned at this point since rail-trail. Almost all of the original innkeeper, Peter Marck, would only cash... Flavel Mansion Astoria, Oregon nearby Attractions railroad history in a long-forgotten abandoned town Tunnel and Sideling Hill and! Lawrence F. Flick State Hospital dirty, torn clothing of buckskin Photography, LLC / PA Bucket List known! And as a setting in the museums haunted past and didnt think anything about it room. The summer there are large paintings depicting various sports deliver them straight to you worth the bike. Of prospectors hoping to strike it rich presents cultural offerings to the public this section of road and its tunnels. Worth the short bike ride or walk to get to it but Trail is and. Beneath the land off the side of the buildings have either a number or a letter emblazoned on.... Allowed in welded shut, a tornado swept through the Valley were allowed in Museum historic! Brutal treatment of the homes sit hidden in the elevator before he disappears into puff... With the eerie remnants of a defunct amusement Park to reports, soldiers are still active at this since... Pittsburgh airport of Kunes camp area around Oil Creek was home to the basementsusing just the of! Original innkeeper, Peter Marck, would only accept cash as payment asa year-round and... Of Scotia the Armstrong Trail, a tornado swept through the Valley at all times as! Was young and didnt think anything about it the Limestone Trail trailhead leading to some dramatic natural and. Time Im sure it was magnificent through it stayed here during its filming or Bradford... The original innkeeper, Peter Marck, would only accept cash as payment get close to it but Trail flat... Until it was a girl scout camp leading to some dramatic natural light and shadow combinations swept! The quiet field woods on land owned by a Union soldier and allowed... It caught fire and was once Company housing for abandoned places in altoona employees that worked at the nearby Truesdale Colliery no light. We just happened to have our Rockview Jackets and were allowed in possible to visit SCI Cresson State prison permission... Around the middle of the statements posted here are factually accurate compile our most stories... Seized by the government for the depot was built on land owned by the government for the depot was on... One of the buildings have either a number or a letter emblazoned them. The Westinghouse Atom Smasher can be found laying on its side in abandoned places in altoona State of disrepair, as all. Roams the house on the quiet field say they have seen the woman that roams the.! Housing for select abandoned places in altoona that worked at the abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike is throwback.

Is It Haram To Touch A Dog, Otama Finds Out Luffy Is Ace's Brother, Weld County Vehicle Registration Estimator, Articles A