You can hike in state parks at night, but any other area and you risk being shot as a trespasser or by a hunter. They can be accessed from several points along the spectacular Lehigh Gorge. Ironton Rail Trail Abandoned PA Turnpike Today, visitors can go deep underground to see this once-active mine and learn more about coal mining. I was young and didnt think anything about it. 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.) According to those in the know, this area is haunted by the ghost of a young girl who wears a white dress. It is said that these soldiers are from the battle's second day. By the sounds of it the place was NOT a nice place to be. Have you been to Brownsville? A spirit is said to reside in the former Culmervilel Hotel, now Zottola's Pub and Eatery. The hardwood basketball court at the former SCI-Cresson is definitely showing its age, although at one time Im sure it was magnificent. The hayrides are year-round so visit freely! One place we happened upon was in West Virginia. 2 mile walk to get to it but trail is flat and wide. 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. The historic Cresson Sanatorium building is located on the north end of the campus and is one of the cant miss buildings. (Submitted by Chris Berglund), Voices and odd noises are heard, doors open by themselves, and shadows have been seen here. It continued to house inmates until closing in 2013 due to the cost of maintaining the aging facility. Abraham Lincoln rode thru the tunnel en-route to the Gettysburg Address. Jim Cheney is the creator of UncoveringPA.com. Hotel Hershey, 12 Philly places, more: The 32 highest rated hotels in Pa. Clickon any of the icons below toget connectedto PA Bucket List on social media. Corrections officers kept an eye on the cell block from behind reinforced glass windows. Can you be more specific as to where it is? Find museums in Altoona, PA, Culmerville Hotel - Zottola's Pub and Eatery, National Emergency Training Center - St. Joseph's College. The original stone house in the historic park is believed to be haunted. Google gives you the tourist attractions, but there's a ton of more locally known places not widely known. Several people were hanged here, and it is said that their spirits walk restlessly throughout the place. As I mentioned, it is possible to visit SCI Cresson State Prison with permission from the owners. It is nearly 500 feet long, and visitors can walk through the tunnel, keeping an eye out for abandoned tracks along the way. Located in the Scotia Barrens, just a few miles from State College, youll find the ruins of Scotia. This abandoned Poconos resort is haunted by a history of kitschy romance and a violent fugitive. And now thanks to new, private ownership, you can LEGALLY explore this maze of buildings, some dating back more than 100 years. When it left, 60% of the bridge lay mangled on the valley floor. Thank you Joan Cramer Stefanini. Your email address will not be published. Altoona's Amtrak Station can be found at the following address: 1231 11th Ave, Altoona, PA 16601. (Submitted by Callum Swift). Although the Amity Hall burned to the ground in the late 2000s, it was alleged to be extremely active with the haunts. Tille Pierce is well known as she wrote a book in the aftermath of Gettysburg about her experiences during the battle. Tons of cool architecture and history there. Collection of trolley cars in the woods represent one man's attempt to preserve transportation history. Since then, its been hidden away in the woods of this state forest. Centralia is possibly the most famous abandoned town in PA. Known officially as a Van de Graaff Generator, this was the first industrial generator of its kind and was built in 1937. My children had some great times there. SCI Cresson opened in 1987 as a medium-security correctional facility for male inmates. Disembodied footsteps have been heard here as well. The Coplay Cement Company built the kilns in the early 1890s, and they were in use until 1904. Legend has it Rosa Carmichael is said to be the spirit who haunts this museum. There are two access points for the turnpike: one near Breezewood and one in Fulton County. A man was said to have killed his wife by stabbing her on the porch sofa, then killed his children and himself upstairs. Guests say she opens their drawers and removes the clothing from them. While the property is typically closed to the public, the owner often lets visitors roam around with prior permission. Gallitzin, PA (7.2 mi.) In conjunction with the Allegheny Tunnel mentioned above, theHorseshoe Curveallowed trains to cross back and forth over the steep Allegheny Mountains, something that had been impossible before 1854. In truth, I could keep going on and on discussing the many cool things I found while exploring the abandoned SCI Cresson. It became a tavern in the 1760s, and was also used as a courtroom. Folks say at this restaurant you can smell ghostly cigar smoke from its old days. I cant wait to explore this place!!!! She is believed to the first wife of Edgar Kaufmann, depressed by his unfaithfulness. However, in recent years, Big House Produce has begun converting the site into a hydroponic farm for a variety of crops. 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. There is no artificial light in any of the buildings, leading to some dramatic natural light and shadow combinations. Required fields are marked *. Would like to see a photo of the old carbon county switch back and trail it was used for. By 1924, the community was abandoned. The most popular spot at Centralia was Graffiti Highway, but this spot was sadly destroyed recently by the property owner. Andy Weimer, Traffic Coordinator 814-949-2496 . 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. Then be sure to check out 30 Abandoned Places in PA You Can Legally Visit! 100 years ago did not know you could get close to it!!! They plan to continue offering events throughout 2022 while simultaneously remodeling, cleaning, and protecting the historical buildings at the abandoned Cresson State Prison. Reaching the lodge is quite easy along the Flat Rock Trail, which offers a lot of beauty in addition to this abandoned site. Get more stories like this one delivered right to your email. It is behind a f cow pasture. In 1987, the first prisoners arrived at what was then called SCI Cresson or Cresson State Prison. The buildings were built in the 1920s and 1930s for workers at the nearby limestone mine. The Devils Elbow is a dangerous curve along Wopsy Road that has a story about a ghostly white lady. Built in 1907, the two blast furnaces here were in nearly continuous operation until 1978. Austin Dam is located in rural Potter County, Pennsylvania. However, few have been left alone in the middle of nature like Rockland Furnace. Inmate phones in the cell blocks were controlled by panels like the one below. The 13-mile stretch, shut down and abandoned in the 1960s, features two tunnels - Rays Hill Tunnel and Sideling Hill Tunnel. The land used to belong to Col. George Wiestling, a veteran of the Civil War who died in 1891. This tunnel was opened in 1886 by the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company and carried trains until it was abandoned in 1956. Ran into fellow officers. After being closed, the mine was abandoned for two decades before it was open for tours in 1985. This old hotel, established in 1797, is haunted by Rachel, among other spirits. Located along the Armstrong Trail, a 35-mile rail trail in Armstrong County, PA, youll find the Redbank Coaling Tower. 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. 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. The penitentiary was open until 1970 when it was closed in favor of more modern facilities. Today, its laying on its side around piles of bricks waiting for hopeful restoration. 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. 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. Visitors to the theaters ladys room also claim to have seen theater guests dressed in early 1900s attire. Lock Ridge furnace in Alburtis Pa. 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. The main abandoned building here is the 120 Mill Motor House. 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. After the war, it became a church camp until the early 1970s. BUTtwo weeks later, we are watching Ghost Hunters on TV. Thats a famous historical train site. Trips Experiences Courses Places Foods . All that's left is a parking lot and a big oak. 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. Most folks would be scared to do it againbut we yearn for another visit. While Ive only visited for the self-guided tours, this seems like a great location for both. 2023 Rusty Glessner Photography, LLC / PA Bucket List. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. He often hangs around the train engine in the museums lobby and in the elevator before he disappears into a puff of smoke. Petroleum Centre is another oil-boom community that once thrived in northwestern Pennsylvania. 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. 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. 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. The more modern cells are far cleaner, but still not somewhere Id want to call home! Guests are welcome to bring investigative equipment and a small flashlight. My trip report from my second visit contains more than 50 new photos as well! Saw photos of the inside of Lynnwood Hall from an explorer with a camera who got permission to go inside. 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. Hope you have fun! Their episode was .wait for itMoundsville State Prison. After a 100-year history, SCI Cresson was closed in 2013, and since then, has been left largely abandoned. The owners have been known to auction the rooms for a night, which is enough for some guests to leave the hotel in fear. Rest Haven in Schuylkill Haven. The ruined remains of a coal mining ghost town are hidden within the woods. Guests staying at this 1937 hotel have reported a spook haunting the upstairs rooms. His cigar smoke has been smelled by witnesses as well. 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. Often seen on the second floor is the ghost of an African-American man who wears 1800s clothing. Jim Cheney is the creator of UncoveringPA.com. No matter where you look, youll see plenty of razor wire and chain link fences. Actor Sam Elliott reportedly stayed here during its filming. Find this one in the Sacramento River Canyon. TheWorld-Famous Horseshoe Curvewas considered one of theengineering wonders of the worldat the time of its completion in1854. One soldier who frequents the site has been described as having long gray hair and dirty, torn clothing of buckskin. If you don't want to travel out of the city to see trains or are looking for something to do while visiting the city's railroad museum, this is a great spot to quickly experience the joys of watching trains. It was wild! This camp was used by four different groups in the 1930s and 1940s, culminating with usage for German POWs in the mid-1940s. Over the years, many stage crew members, actors, office . Saved from the wrecking ball and now owned by a non-profit organization,Eastern State Penitentiaryoperates asa year-round museum and historic site. The Westinghouse Atom Smasher can be found laying on its side in a residential neighborhood east of downtown Pittsburgh. Cap off your visit to Altoona, arguably the most haunted town near Pittsburgh, if you still have the energy, on an invigorating hike (or drive, if you prefer) along this haunted road where you may just run into the The White Lady of Wopsononock. When visiting, make sure to be respectful as this is a historic site and attempts are being made to preserve it. Visitors to this site have reported hearing the harrowing sounds of battle, although nothing appears to be happening on the quiet field. https://youtube.com/c/ODDySEEy. 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. my mother was born there All rights reserved. 2023 Atlas Obscura. While most of the buildings have been torn down, its still fascinating to drive around the old streets and see the curbs, gutters, and stone steps that are surrounded by fields of forested land. The Avondale Mine diaster site in Nanticoke, Pa! In fact, you may have heard many stories about different paranormal activities at the museum, including laughing children long after the museum closed and big band music playing from the bar in the museum (but no ones there). This aqueduct was built for the South Penn Railroad, who also dug the tunnels of the nearby abandoned turnpike, though it never came to fruition and the projects were eventually abandoned. 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. 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. It was torn down to make way for an expressway. 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! Transfiguration of Our Lord in Philadelphia. When the mine closed in the early 1930s, it was thought to be a temporary closure, so all the equipment was placed inside the mine before it was closed. Today, several of the buildings, primarily the newer prison blocks, are currently growing a variety of crops indoors, but much of the historic prison sits abandoned and awaiting restoration. The cell blocks in the various housing units at the former SCI-Cresson were built in several different eras. Lakemont, PA (6.8 mi.) Here, we had gone to the basementsusing just the flash of my camera to find our way. No doubt countless pick-up games were played on this court over the years the prison was in operation. Inside the Grace Chapel at the abandoned Cresson State Prison near Altoona. A hidden piece of Altoona's railroad history in a long-forgotten abandoned town. Same story of lady in white on beluah road. 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. Some of the existing buildings were also retrofitted with cells and other prison necessities. As their carriage rounded the Devils Elbow, there was an accident and both were killed. He has also traveled to more than 30 different countries around the world. Is this place really haunted? The depot was built on land that was once the town of Alvira before it was seized by the government for the depot. Spent summers on a horse farm with no electric and it gets darker than u can imagine. Road Tripping to the Best Abandoned Places in PA will take you on an epic379 mile route toseven of Pennsylvanias most intriguing abandoned places! Great article. Said to be the first railroad tunnel built in USA. Most drivers likely wouldnt give a second thought to driving through the Horseshoe Curve Tunnel. 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.
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