The entity is believed to be a poltergeist, as it has been known to move objects around. Another says the girls at the school all died of a mysterious illness. Report an Abandoned Vehicle . 2023 Rusty Glessner Photography, LLC / PA Bucket List. flickr/patrick dirden. Some stories say she is a hitchhiker ghost or that she stops young men to see if they are her husband. The vaudeville venue built in 1913 is the home of a ghostly former manager. Buildings that dynamite couldn't bring down were abandoned because of bathroom issues. (Submitted by Chris Berglund). 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. Mount Moriah Cemetery in Philadelphia. The status of visitors being allowed is unknown, but I assume that it is currently closed to exploration. Between these two Tudor Revival buildings, make sure to find Grace Chapel. This old abandoned bridge is a reminder of life not so long ago. Ashville, PA (4.9 mi.) This mine opened in 1860 and was actively mined until 1966. Abandoned Vehicle on Public Streets. Corrections officers would have controlled access to the housing units at control panels like this one. While its not quite as well preserved or as well documented as Camp Michaux, its still a fascinating spot to visit, especially since its just around the corner from the aforementioned Abandoned PA Turnpike and South Penn Railroad Aqueduct. He has also traveled to more than 30 different countries around the world. Naval officerRobert Peary, a Cresson native credited with beingthe first explorer to reach the North Pole. This may be the source of the glowing white figures that are reported, or the strange light manifestations. A train station that was abandoned by the coal industry and was later converted into a cocktail bar. Ghosts here include a woman who haunts the kitchen (especially the walk-in cooler). While access is not permitted, its still possible to see the remnants of the bunkers from above ground and to peer into a few holes to catch a glimpse of these historic structures. It's illegal to trespass on private property, and most public property is closed from dawn to dusk. The Coplay Cement Company built the kilns in the early 1890s, and they were in use until 1904. Anyone know of any abandoned places youre allowed to legally explore in the State College/ Altoona area? This mental hospital was open until December 1982 when the state decided to turn the site into a prison. Moving around to the other end of the complex another interesting building is the second large Tudor style building. This abandoned iron furnace was one of the first to use cokea type of high-carbon fuelto make iron. Gilson Ridge Cemetery in Hydetown Pa. Thats a famous historical train site. Its worth knowing that this is a huge site (I spent four hours there and could have easily spent more time). Built in 1907, the two blast furnaces here were in nearly continuous operation until 1978. This tavern building was a French outpost in the 1740s and a war headquarters in the 1750s. 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. It's near the Delta and while it's no longer functional, places like these are a photographer's dream. In Lebanon county there is a park and boat ride on the Union Canal in West Lebanon. The kitchen (above) and the laundry (below) are just two of the more interesting service areas I explored while visiting the abandoned Cresson State Prison. Id love to be a guide there. I havent been there in awhile. The ghosts are . A painting of Jesus in the foyer still greets visitors to the chapel as it has for many, many years. Finally, if youd like to help restore the site, they also have volunteer days periodically. As their carriage rounded the Devils Elbow, there was an accident and both were killed. I am sure it will be a tourist site one day, too. You need to park on the side of the highway which there is only one spot to do so but youre not even close to where you need to be DONT WASTE YOUR TIME, Your email address will not be published. Bethlehem Steel Mill in Bethlehem. 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 is nearly 500 feet long, and visitors can walk through the tunnel, keeping an eye out for abandoned tracks along the way. My children had some great times there. You're awesome for doing it! Fortunately, thanks to a group of dedicated volunteers, Mount Moriah Cemetery is returning to its former glory. Anyone have any pictures of White Swan Park which was near the Pittsburgh airport ? If you opt to go in, use extreme caution as theres no telling what else might be inside. Address: Unnamed Road, Dillsburg, PA 17019, USA The OIYS Visitor Center abandoned amusement park in Pennsylvania July 10, 2020 Beth Price-Williams Can I visit any abandoned places in Pennsylvania? In this space, youll find a large basketball court that still retains some of the paint on the floor, though, sadly, no basketball hoops. 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. Altoona. Google gives you the tourist attractions, but theres a ton of more locally known places not widely known. Located along the Railroad Arch Trail, the South Penn Railroad Aqueduct sits at the end of a quiet and easy trail. Today, this once-bustling borough is reduced to fewer than 10 residents. Experiencing Raystown Lake Witout a Boat - You don't need a boat to explore Pennsylvania largest lake. Inside the main lobby, there is incredible woodwork that can be found before branching off into the rest of this three-story building. Ruins to explore and in the summer there are weekend yours. When it left, 60% of the bridge lay mangled on the valley floor. 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. Located on state game lands a short distance south of Williamsport are the Alvira Bunkers. Centralia is possibly the most famous abandoned town in PA. Abandoned Places in Pennsylvania. Even the slightest out-of-place sound can make us jump. For over 100 years, trains used this viaduct to cross the valley more than 300 feet below. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. The natives outnumbered the rangers some five to one and the Rangers eventually surrendered. Great article. 8. 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. Story goes that a doctor was killed here in an accident around the middle of the 19th century. 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. Nearby Attractions. I was young and didnt think anything about it. In addition to SCI Cressons historic buildings, the site is also home to several modern cell blocks. And there are plenty of them to check out. 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. In truth, I could keep going on and on discussing the many cool things I found while exploring the abandoned SCI Cresson. Tons of cool architecture and history 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. Housing a large number of inmates means providing an equally large number of ancillary services. Bring a healthy dose of courage with you if you drive through this haunted town in Pennsylvania at night. 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. Report an Abandoned Vehicle . His cigar smoke has been smelled by witnesses as well. Im always on the lookout for abandoned places in Pennsylvania that I can legally explore. Updated: Apr. 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. Said to be the first railroad tunnel built in USA. Prince Gallitzins cryptin Cambria County contains the remains of a former Russian prince turned trailblazing Catholic priest,Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin. They show up as oddities on the photographic images taken all over the hotel. BUTtwo weeks later, we are watching Ghost Hunters on TV. Now SCI Cresson sits mostly abandoned on a parcel of land just off of Route 22 between Altoona and Ebensburg. Its steeple rises above many of the buildings, so its fairly easy to find from many areas throughout the prison grounds. However, few have been left alone in the middle of nature like Rockland Furnace. Explore Altoona; Places to Stay; History of Altoona; Getting Around. The most popular spot at Centralia was Graffiti Highway, but this spot was sadly destroyed recently by the property owner. It was used as part of nuclear power experiments until the late 1950s. Night and day. While access to the kilns is limited by a fence, its still fun to walk around them and look at these beautiful ruins. Lakemont, PA (6.8 mi.) An avid cigar smoker, Mishler frequently announces his presence through the faint smell and sometimes the billow of cigar smoke in the theater itself. Here are a few of my favorite ruins and abandoned places in Pennsylvania you can legally visit. 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. You missed Pithole PA near Oil Creek State Park. It is behind a f cow pasture. The main abandoned building here is the 120 Mill Motor House. Almost all of the buildings have either a number or a letter emblazoned on them. The more modern cells are far cleaner, but still not somewhere Id want to call home! Now Ill have to do it this summer and stop!! I am very well acquainted with George Gummo Sr, a former Rockview Gaurd.. Help spread the word. If you're intrigued by abandoned places, follow this abandoned places in Pennsylvania road trip. A weight room off the side of the gymnasium is a throwback to the 80s, when multi-station weight machines became all the rage. 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. I later did some research, and nobody seems to know the names, dates or any specific info. Since the mine was closed with the plan of reopening, much of the original mine equipment is still present. Known officially as a Van de Graaff Generator, this was the first industrial generator of its kind and was built in 1937. Is this place really haunted? In 1987, the first prisoners arrived at what was then called SCI Cresson or Cresson State Prison. The Allegheny Tunnel . Have you been to Brownsville? 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. Id love to explore the interior of some of those downtown buildings. Help spread the word. And then, the church suddenly burned down. Many old presidents visited there.I worked as a waitress there 1959- 1963. Despite this, driving on the public roads through town, however, is still fascinating. Thank you! regularly. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! This hospital, which was also known as the Allegheny State Hospital, was designed to care for those with mental health issues, including mental retardation. Greenwood, PA (5.3 mi.) In 1974 it caught fire and was rebuilt, and to this day presents cultural offerings to the public. We had pulled over and sat. He often hangs around the train engine in the museums lobby and in the elevator before he disappears into a puff of smoke. The Scranton Iron Furnaces were built in the 1850s and in operation until the early 1900s. It opened in 1911 with 20 duplex homes. 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). I go through here constantly. Farther away from altoona. On the second floor, youll find offices for workers at the prison. An abandoned hallway inside one of the historic sanatorium buildings. Located in Venango County, the furnace sits about a hundred yards downstream of Freedom Falls. Academia Girls School is the ruins of an 1800s building destroyed by fire. Ghostly band music is said to come from the bandstand, tunes from around the turn of the century. However, during repairs in 2003, a tornado swept through the valley. Disembodied footsteps have been heard here as well. Thank you for publishing this article and telling of your experience. You're awesome for doing it! Built in the late 1700s, the old jail has a legend attached. Located in Cresson, PA, just a few miles from Altoona, you'll find the abandoned SCI Cresson. 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. A hidden piece of Altoona's railroad history in a long-forgotten abandoned town. However, by 1873, the town was essentially abandoned. The land where the sanatorium would sit was donated by steel-tycoon Andrew Carnegie in 1911, and, in 1913, the Cresson Tuberculosis Sanatorium was opened atop a ridge in the Allegheny Mountains, though construction wouldnt be completed until 1916. There is stuff like the Scotia ghost town, but you probably found that with the touristy stuff. Although the Amity Hall burned to the ground in the late 2000s, it was alleged to be extremely active with the haunts. The dam was later rebuilt, but failed again in 1942. On this visit I got to check out the tunnels that run BENEATH the complex. No matter where you look, youll see plenty of razor wire and chain link fences. 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. Over the years, many stage crew members, actors, office . I am retired from Rockview Prison. Not knowing it was open for tours, we didnt go!! 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.) Tunnelhill, PA (7.1 mi.) Rest Haven in Schuylkill Haven. There is a series of abandoned locks from the Lehigh canal. You can hike in state parks at night, but any other area and you risk being shot as a trespasser or by a hunter. The popular tourist attraction is also home to the ghost of a man named Frank. Tille Pierce is well known as she wrote a book in the aftermath of Gettysburg about her experiences during the battle. Gettysburg. Rusty Glessner is a professional photographer, lifelong Pennsylvanian, and creator of the PA Bucket List travel blog. Opened as a state-of-the-art prison in 1829, Eastern State Penitentiaryin Philadelphia was the model for many future correctional facilities. Rockland Furnace dates to 1832 and was in operation until 1854. Around its grounds, ghosts have been spotted reliving the war. Please do not trespass. Find this one in the Sacramento River Canyon. The original stone house in the historic park is believed to be haunted. She is said to whisper "Turn off the lights" and move objects in the kitchen. 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