This historic hotel has been in operation for over a century, but is now believed to be a private residence. The depot was built on land that was once the town of Alvira before it was seized by the government for the depot. In the 1950s, the Curtiss-Wright Corporation obtained 51,000 acres of land in this remote area of Pennsylvania. 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. Oldest continuously operating railroad tunnel in the world is the Howard Tunnel in York County, Pa along the current Northern Central Railroad. 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. Inside the Grace Chapel at the abandoned Cresson State Prison near Altoona. 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. Visitors to the theaters ladys room also claim to have seen theater guests dressed in early 1900s attire. 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. These bunkers were built to house explosive munitions as part of the Susquehanna Ordnance Depot. The prison closed in 1971, and slowlydescended into ruinover the next 20 years. Check out these haunted and historic hot spots in Pennsylvania, and be ready for some bizarre encounters with the supernatural. This historic church predates the prison and was built in 1914 during the earliest stages of the sanatorium. My favorite is the giant elevator that once took miners deep underground. 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. The cell blocks in the various housing units at the former SCI-Cresson were built in several different eras. There is a wedding dress in a glass case that is said to move on it's own, especially around Halloween and full moons. Petroleum Centre was founded in 1866 and was once home to as many as 3,000 people. We just happened to have our Rockview Jackets and were allowed in. He has also traveled to more than 30 different countries around the world. You can also check out Pizzeria Beddia in Philly which was once named the Best Pizza in the US. 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. Known officially as a Van de Graaff Generator, this was the first industrial generator of its kind and was built in 1937. Concrete City is located in Luzerne County near Nanticoke and was once company housing for select employees that worked at the nearby Truesdale Colliery. Many legends surround the place, including that a gardener set the fire to cover his tracks after raping and killing many students. 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. Pretty massive and interesting. However, in the back of the building, there is a very cool indoor basketball court that I was excited to stumble across. Map View Genres Near Me. Farther away from altoona. The Cambria County Historical Society has some good info on the Sanitorium including first hand stories of people that were patients there. The main floor is primarily comprised of jail cells that may have held some of the lower-level prisoners at the facility. It's near the Delta and while it's no longer functional, places like these are a photographer's dream. You can walk around campus in the daytime: https://pennhurstasylum.ticketleap.com/daytime-photography-tour/details. Seeing this piece of history is well worth the cost of the tour. The status of visitors being allowed is unknown, but I assume that it is currently closed to exploration. Thank you for publishing this article and telling of your experience. And then, the church suddenly burned down. Often seen on the second floor is the ghost of an African-American man who wears 1800s clothing. 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. The Bethlehem Steel Stacks in the Lehigh Valley are one of the most impressive abandoned places in Pennsylvania. 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. The most popular spot at Centralia was Graffiti Highway, but this spot was sadly destroyed recently by the property owner. While visiting, its also worth the short bike ride or walk to the Brady Tunnel and the Philipston Turntable. One of the most haunted places in the town is Devil's Den. This massive tower stands tall over the trail, which runs directly underneath it. A famous photograph taken in 1907 (one of the earliest ghost photos thought to be legitimate) shows a figure A stone star fort in the Maryland Panhandle, Fort Frederick Maryland was built in the 1750s to defend Maryland from French and Indian raiders. 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. Bring a healthy dose of courage with you if you drive through this haunted town in Pennsylvania at night. Read more 0 Flavel Mansion Astoria, Oregon A spooky annual Halloween ghost walk concludes here. Im not familiar with the park. Moundsville State Prison. What do you think? While little remains of the structures, its a fascinating spot for history lovers looking for great abandoned sites in Pennsylvania. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turn_Hole_Tunnel, Very interesting .Does anyone have a picture of Turners Inn Restaurant on Route 40? This old hotel, established in 1797, is haunted by Rachel, among other spirits. To schedule your own visit to the abandoned Cresson State Prison, contact Hydroponic Life / Big House Produce at this link. This mental hospital was open until December 1982 when the state decided to turn the site into a prison. The portion of the prison grounds made available for tours by the folks at Hydroponic Life (AKA Big House Produce) is MASSIVE! While it has been damaged a bit over the years, its still a beautiful spot to check out, and there are even some prison signs still hanging on the wall that are nearly a decade old and very interesting to read. The dam was later rebuilt, but failed again in 1942. Easy access from white Haven. Abandoned places in Pennsylvania are pretty easy to find, no matter where you live in the state. The tunnel is in complete disrepair and flooded and is dangerous to walk through but can be seen through. One of the least known places on this list are the jet bunkers in the Quehanna Wild Area. Her parents buried Redstone Cem where we go 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. It is reported that two administrators had an experience with an elevator to another dimension. Have you been to Brownsville? Never saw a ghost. Fortunately, a group of local residents decided to open this abandoned mine to tours in 1962. Located along the Armstrong Trail, a 35-mile rail trail in Armstrong County, PA, youll find the Redbank Coaling Tower. Explore Altoona; Places to Stay; History of Altoona; Getting Around. Required fields are marked *. When visiting, make sure to be respectful as this is a historic site and attempts are being made to preserve it. Located on state game lands a short distance south of Williamsport are the Alvira Bunkers. The Turn Hole Railroad Tunnel in Lehigh Gorge Jim Thorpe The prison was a medium-security facility and housed exclusively male prisoners. Your CommentsHave a photograph taken from this location? Also, a soldier's apparition has been spotted on the park grounds. While the industry is (mostly) long gone and natural beauty has once again returned to the park, there are still points of interest for those that love abandoned spots. Experiencing Raystown Lake Witout a Boat - You don't need a boat to explore Pennsylvania largest lake. She also may be the one who makes objects mysteriously General Anthony Wayne was buried, unearthed, then boiled so he could be transferred to his family grave. According to reports, soldiers are still active at this site. Private property should be respected at all times, as should all posted signs concerning trespassing, hours of operation and other local regulations. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. This is a fantastic spot for both history buffs and photographers to tour. Mount Moriah Cemetery in Philadelphia. Apparitions, black figures and flashes Reported to be haunted by the ghosts of Civil War era soldiers who were treated and died in the Inn when it served as a hospital after the battle. 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. 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. 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. In the 1960s, the shop closed for good, simply shutting their doors and walking away. It continued to house inmates until closing in 2013 due to the cost of maintaining the aging facility. 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. 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. 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. Tille Pierce is well known as she wrote a book in the aftermath of Gettysburg about her experiences during the battle. 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. 2 mile walk to get to it but trail is flat and wide. It's home to a ghost nicknamed Handsome Paul, who appears suited up for a night out. 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. Not far from Johnstown Pa. is the Staple Bend railroad tunnel. It's not only your eyes and ears that may detect haunted happenings here, but your nose may get in on the action too. Experienced some spirit-oriented episodes there. While some of the auxiliary wings were torn down when converting the site into a prison, much of the structure still stands today. Altoona. Ruins to explore and in the summer there are weekend yours. On the second floor, youll find offices for workers at the prison. Per one story, some Civil War re-enactors working on the film Gettysburg at this site were approached here by a Union soldier. I go through here constantly. Hope you have fun! Your email address will not be published. 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. Gallitzin, PA (7.2 mi.) Is this place really haunted? From 1930 until 1957, this tower was used to refuel train engines with coal as they made their way along the banks of the Allegheny River. For over 100 years, trains used this viaduct to cross the valley more than 300 feet below. Located in Venango County, the furnace sits about a hundred yards downstream of Freedom Falls. She is said to whisper "Turn off the lights" and move objects in the kitchen. Located in Michaux State Forest, Camp Michaux is a former prison-of-war camp from World War II. It became a tavern in the 1760s, and was also used as a courtroom. In fact, much of the equipment looked like you could just dust it off and start working out. Of course, this also gave it a bit of an eerie and forbidden feeling. Naval officerRobert Peary, a Cresson native credited with beingthe first explorer to reach the North Pole. Trips Experiences Courses Places Foods . 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). Discover Castle Halloween Museum in Altoona, Pennsylvania: Journey through a collection of over 35,000 Halloween items from all generations. 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,. 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. Another building to search out is the prisons gymnasium. 3.8. Actor Sam Elliott reportedly stayed here during its filming. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. Make sure to obey any signage you might see, and obtain owner permission or pay the admission fees where required.). Altoona's Amtrak Station can be found at the following address: 1231 11th Ave, Altoona, PA 16601. When I was young I hunted a farm field East of 209 in the Bushkill area. Folks say at this restaurant you can smell ghostly cigar smoke from its old days. Would like to see a photo of the old carbon county switch back and trail it was used for. Today, they are part of an entertainment complex, but still provide a lot of interest for lovers of abandoned industrial sites. (Submitted by Chris Berglund), Voices and odd noises are heard, doors open by themselves, and shadows have been seen here. 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. 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. Click here to read her tragic tale. Built in 1907, the two blast furnaces here were in nearly continuous operation until 1978. No doubt countless pick-up games were played on this court over the years the prison was in operation. Today, this once-bustling borough is reduced to fewer than 10 residents. Rockland Furnace dates to 1832 and was in operation until 1854. Eastern State Penitentiary - Philadelphia and its Countryside Philadelphia www.easternstate.org In 1829, the first prisoner walked through the doors of Eastern State Penitentiary. Travel through the two mile-long tunnels or simply enjoy them from the outside. Open house dates for the prison are announced on the Facebook page for the site and all events are listed on their website. my mother was born there Located a short distance south of Pittsburgh in Rices Landing, PA, youll find the W.A. 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. While Ive only visited for the self-guided tours, this seems like a great location for both. I went to help clean with Titusville Pa American Legion when I was little. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). The Railroaders Museum is said to be haunted by a spirit named Frank, who has been seen all over the museum. Old Bridge. Off we go to uncover the tales behind three of the most haunted spots in Altoona. SCI Cresson opened in 1987 as a medium-security correctional facility for male inmates. TheWorld-Famous Horseshoe Curvewas considered one of theengineering wonders of the worldat the time of its completion in1854. The Allegheny Tunnel . Check out the Abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike, the best things to do in Altoona, the Allegheny Portage Railroad, and the historic Horseshoe Curve. His presentation is quirky but his history and stories are kinda what you are looking for. Gettysburg has earned a reputation as being the most haunted town in Pennsylvania and perhaps even in the United States. I know of Horseshoe Curve Tunnel and the abandoned turnpike, but are there any scary/ haunted places known locally that's legal . If you've had a paranormal experience here, or have any additional information about this location, please let us know! 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. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. Camp Sideling Hill is the second abandoned POW camp from World War 2 on this list. 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. 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. There is no artificial light in any of the buildings, leading to some dramatic natural light and shadow combinations. 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. The sanatoriums buildings were lavishly designed with European touches including a Tudor Revival design, gargoyles atop the tower, and Scottish crests carved into the sandstone structure, a nod to Carnegie. Was an awesome experience. 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. Find museums in Altoona, PA, Culmerville Hotel - Zottola's Pub and Eatery, National Emergency Training Center - St. Joseph's College. 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. One soldier who frequents the site has been described as having long gray hair and dirty, torn clothing of buckskin. Closed for years. Im always on the lookout for abandoned places in Pennsylvania that I can legally explore. 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. He handed them some ammunition for Psychics say that the energy here is high because there an Indian burial ground beneath the land. Young and Sons Machine Shop. The 1915 Maryland Theatre, once a vaudeville and movie house, operated until 1973. Thank you! As their carriage rounded the Devils Elbow, there was an accident and both were killed. 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. 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