Guests staying at this 1937 hotel have reported a spook haunting the upstairs rooms. During the American Revolution it was used as a prisoner of war camp for soldiers surrendered at Yorktown. This huge, disused viaduct is now a crumbling concrete underworld of covered in years of graffiti. 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. In 1911, the dam failed and the ensuing flood of water killed 78 people. Its amazing to tour the homes and think about what it would have been like to have lived in this community. The prison was a medium-security facility and housed exclusively male prisoners. Downtown Scranton is home to four of the best-preserved iron furnaces in Pennsylvania. In a side room, weight equipment can still be found in several spots. A landmark in Altoona since 1906, The Mishler Theater attracts visitors for its family entertainment. If you love exploring abandoned buildings and/or historic structures, the abandoned Cresson State Prison (AKA SCI Cresson, AKA the Haunted Cresson Sanatorium) seems almost too good to be true! Experiencing Raystown Lake Witout a Boat - You don't need a boat to explore Pennsylvania largest lake. Abraham Lincoln rode thru the tunnel en-route to the Gettysburg Address. Please do not trespass. However, in recent years, Big House Produce has begun converting the site into a hydroponic farm for a variety of crops. I am sure it will be a tourist site one day, too. You're awesome for doing it! Yet, when the individual goes to investigate the cigar smell or smoke, he or she sees no one at all. It was torn down to make way for an expressway. Abandoned places in Pennsylvania are pretty easy to find, no matter where you live in the state. And now thanks to new, private ownership, you can LEGALLY explore this maze of buildings, some dating back more than 100 years. Historically, it had a massive campus with 3,350 beds and was known for its often brutal treatment of . They show up as oddities on the photographic images taken all over the hotel. Experienced some spirit-oriented episodes there. 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. Ghosts here include a woman who haunts the kitchen (especially the walk-in cooler). 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. Meanwhile, the basement is in quite rough shape, with very little light and peeling paint. You may smell the distinct scent of sulfur lingering in the air as you approach and enter the tunnel as the Irish woman in white appears, angry that visitors have invaded her space. Today, this once-bustling borough is reduced to fewer than 10 residents. Located in Cresson, PA, just a few miles from Altoona, youll find the abandoned SCI Cresson. Road Tripping to the Best Abandoned Places in PA will take you on an epic379 mile route toseven of Pennsylvanias most intriguing abandoned places! The Coplay Cement Company built the kilns in the early 1890s, and they were in use until 1904. After being closed, the mine was abandoned for two decades before it was open for tours in 1985. HauntedPlaces.org makes no claims that any of the statements posted here are factually accurate. 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. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. Known as Pine Grove Furnace Prisoner of War Interrogation Camp, German and Japanese officers were brought here after being captured and interrogated. Around its grounds, ghosts have been spotted reliving the war. This tavern building was a French outpost in the 1740s and a war headquarters in the 1750s. Today, the bridge is the central point of Kinzua Bridge State Park. 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. Embark on a creepy day trip to Altoona, perhaps the most haunted town near Pittsburgh, where you will have plenty of opportunities to experience the paranormal. Would love to have good picture, so would many others. In addition to SCI Cressons historic buildings, the site is also home to several modern cell blocks. Legend has it that she was a new bride on her honeymoon at the Wopsononock Hotel, which burned down long ago. 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.) TheWorld-Famous Horseshoe Curvewas considered one of theengineering wonders of the worldat the time of its completion in1854. (Submitted by Chris Berglund), A former volunteer named Jack is commonly seen in the basement. Offer subject to change without notice. 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. 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. 2 mile walk to get to it but trail is flat and wide. And then, the church suddenly burned down. When it left, 60% of the bridge lay mangled on the valley floor. 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. Im always on the lookout for abandoned places in Pennsylvania that I can legally explore. In 1974 it caught fire and was rebuilt, and to this day presents cultural offerings to the public. 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. One of the least known places on this list are the jet bunkers in the Quehanna Wild Area. A man was said to have killed his wife by stabbing her on the porch sofa, then killed his children and himself upstairs. Follows the old railroad bed. The main abandoned building here is the 120 Mill Motor House. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! 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? The ghostly bride is seen along the road with a candle, looking for her husband, whose body was never recovered from the wreckage. The City of Altoona is required to provide notice and a period of time for the vehicle . I have. A couplr of my friends an I decided to go one night. The historic inn dates back to 1790, and was recently restored after a catastrophic fire swept through the building in 2008. Nearby Attractions. Your CommentsHave a photograph taken from this location? Despite this, driving on the public roads through town, however, is still fascinating. 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. 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. 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. Inside the main lobby, there is incredible woodwork that can be found before branching off into the rest of this three-story building. They assumed he, like them, was an extra working on the film. In 1903, the university was founded, but Wiestling is said to remain. Even more impressive, visits to the abandoned prison in Cresson are only $10 per hour of exploration (at the time of publication), which is very inexpensive. Beautiful place and grounds. 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. We were permitted to tour the place all alone. It's home to a ghost nicknamed Handsome Paul, who appears suited up for a night out. Eastern State Penitentiary - Philadelphia and its Countryside Philadelphia www.easternstate.org In 1829, the first prisoner walked through the doors of Eastern State Penitentiary. One soldier who frequents the site has been described as having long gray hair and dirty, torn clothing of buckskin. It was abandoned for decades until the national park service opened it as a historical site. The Limestone Trail trailhead leading to the abandoned lime kilns at Canoe Creek State Park. Were taking our second trip this weekend! Constructed in 1915, this series of five blast furnaces was part of the large steel mill here in Bethlehem. According to reports, soldiers are still active at this site. 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. In the 1950s, the Curtiss-Wright Corporation obtained 51,000 acres of land in this remote area of Pennsylvania. I went to help clean with Titusville Pa American Legion when I was little. 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. Petroleum Centre is another oil-boom community that once thrived in northwestern Pennsylvania. Westinghouse Atom Smasher in Forest Hills. He handed them some ammunition for Psychics say that the energy here is high because there an Indian burial ground beneath the land. my mother was born there 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 more modern cells are far cleaner, but still not somewhere Id want to call home! Thank you for publishing this article and telling of your experience. Check out the best breweries in Altoona, the Railroaders' Memorial Museum, Chimney Bluff, and the limestone kilns at Canoe Creek State Park. Spent summers on a horse farm with no electric and it gets darker than u can imagine. Visitors access the mine via a very cool railcar. Unfortunately, this spot is surrounded by a chainlink fence, so youll have to view it from a distance, but its still a really neat spot to visit. Between these two Tudor Revival buildings, make sure to find Grace Chapel. It has been seen on TV's Ghost Hunters, and as a setting in the movie Gettysburg. The most popular spot at Centralia was Graffiti Highway, but this spot was sadly destroyed recently by the property owner. Naval officerRobert Peary, a Cresson native credited with beingthe first explorer to reach the North Pole. Then be sure to check out 30 Abandoned Places in PA You Can Legally Visit! I havent been there in awhile. Altoona Blair County Airport; . Its worth knowing that this is a huge site (I spent four hours there and could have easily spent more time). Used to be some bits and pieces left behind Nay Aug Park. It is reported that two administrators had an experience with an elevator to another dimension. 1. 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. This freedom gives you the chance to enter nearly all of the structures and to find the spots that interest you the most. If you opt to go in, use extreme caution as theres no telling what else might be inside. 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! Wear study boots and bring a flashlight, so that you are prepared to safely explore the former prison grounds. Some say they have seen the woman that roams the house. In later years it was a girl scout camp. Oldest continuously operating railroad tunnel in the world is the Howard Tunnel in York County, Pa along the current Northern Central Railroad. (Submitted by Callum Swift). Off we go to uncover the tales behind three of the most haunted spots in Altoona. By 1924, the community was abandoned. 6 . Today, they are part of an entertainment complex, but still provide a lot of interest for lovers of abandoned industrial sites. Tille Pierce is well known as she wrote a book in the aftermath of Gettysburg about her experiences during the battle. While access to the kilns is limited by a fence, its still fun to walk around them and look at these beautiful ruins. The apparition of an elderly woman has been seen as well. He has also traveled to more than 30 different countries around the world. 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. 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. 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. 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. Hi Ginnie, I used to live in that area (1977-1992). 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. 2023 Atlas Obscura. Another says the girls at the school all died of a mysterious illness. 8. The vaudeville venue built in 1913 is the home of a ghostly former manager. Located on state game lands a short distance south of Williamsport are the Alvira Bunkers. Oil Creek State Park is known as the Valley that Changed the World and was the site of the worlds first commercial oil well. This might have been my favorite building to explore, as even with the ravages of time and vandalism, it still (fittingly) retains its grace and beauty. Her tragic story is a bit murky with some claiming she was murdered as she waited outside of the tunnel for her beloved to return from work while others say her beloved was murdered as she waited for him in the tunnel. 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. At the house, now a tourist attraction, visitors can see a bullet hole in the door. And there are plenty of them to check out. This camp was used by four different groups in the 1930s and 1940s, culminating with usage for German POWs in the mid-1940s. Anyone know of any abandoned places you're allowed to legally explore in the State College/ Altoona area? Philadelphias Mount Moriah Cemetery is one of the largest cemeteries in the country and the final resting place of up to 300,000 people. Layer by Layer: A Mexico City Culinary Adventure, Sacred Granaries, Kasbahs and Feasts in Morocco, Monster of the Month: The Hopkinsville Goblins, How to Grow a Dye Garden With Aaron Sanders Head, Paper Botanicals With Kate Croghan Alarcn, Writing the Food Memoir: A Workshop With Gina Rae La Cerva, Reading the Urban Landscape With Annie Novak, Making Scents: Experimental Perfumery With Saskia Wilson-Brown, Secret Nun Cookies at Monasterio del Corpus Christi, Wonder Is Everywhere: Civil War Gold, a New Moai, and More From Around the Web, The Woman Preserving the Endangered Cuisine of Indian Jews, How a Lone Researcher Faced Down Millions of Army Ants on the March in Ecuador. Bellwood, PA (7.6 mi.) Petroleum Centre was founded in 1866 and was once home to as many as 3,000 people. Such a neat place to explore. Perhaps the largest abandoned spot in Pennsylvania is an abandoned stretch of PA Turnpike. 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. Id love to explore the interior of some of those downtown buildings. I am retired from Rockview Prison. Lakemont, PA (6.8 mi.) Given the inexpensive cost of visiting and the different event types, theres a bit of something for anyone that loves historic and abandoned sites, and Id be lying if I said that this wasnt one of the coolest places Ive explored in a long time. Legend has it that she was a new bride on her honeymoon at the Wopsononock Hotel, which burned down long ago. It was wild! It is said that these soldiers are from the battle's second day. The Allegheny Tunnel . This is a crock. The penitentiary was open until 1970 when it was closed in favor of more modern facilities. You're awesome for doing it! Jim Cheney is the creator of UncoveringPA.com. 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