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. Inside the main lobby, there is incredible woodwork that can be found before branching off into the rest of this three-story building. Help spread the word. However, the mine never again reopened as an active coal mine. Never saw a ghost. Historically, it had a massive campus with 3,350 beds and was known for its often brutal treatment of . Thank you for publishing this article and telling of your experience. Altoona. It was torn down to make way for an expressway. Ghosts here include a woman who haunts the kitchen (especially the walk-in cooler). Click "thumbs up" if you think its haunted, or "thumbs down" if you think its all just a tall tale. I was in the back of the back closet and there were just 2 people in the building the front desk person and I was getting food for the downtown pantry and trying to organize Folks say that the ghosts at this 1800s resort want to be in pictures. The Limestone Trail trailhead leading to the abandoned lime kilns at Canoe Creek State Park. Her parents buried Redstone Cem where we go Note that the entire prison is surrounded by barbed wire fencing and trespassing is strictly prohibited. If you opt to go in, use extreme caution as theres no telling what else might be inside. Actor Sam Elliott reportedly stayed here during its filming. The main floor is primarily comprised of jail cells that may have held some of the lower-level prisoners at the facility. An abandoned hallway inside one of the historic sanatorium buildings. 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. As I mentioned, it is possible to visit SCI Cresson State Prison with permission from the owners. Not far from Johnstown Pa. is the Staple Bend railroad tunnel. The 13-mile stretch, shut down and abandoned in the 1960s, features two tunnels - Rays Hill Tunnel and Sideling Hill Tunnel. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. While visiting, its also worth the short bike ride or walk to the Brady Tunnel and the Philipston Turntable. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Is this place really haunted? 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. Please do not trespass. Spent summers on a horse farm with no electric and it gets darker than u can imagine. Altoona's Amtrak Station can be found at the following address: 1231 11th Ave, Altoona, PA 16601. 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. The Allegheny Tunnel . 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). From the exterior, you can see that this is actually four separate buildings connected together by long above-ground passageways. This farmhouse, built during the Civil War, was once even used as a war hospital. The city of Altoona has an abandoned-housing rate that is twice as high as the state's rate but less than the rate for many other third-class cities in Pennsylvania, according to officials at a . Greenwood, PA (5.3 mi.) Some of the existing buildings were also retrofitted with cells and other prison necessities. Another says the girls at the school all died of a mysterious illness. 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. I enjoyed seeing the contrast of wildflowers juxtaposed against those fences and razor wire throughout the complex. From 1911-1931, this mine operated on the outskirts of Ashland, PA. Read more A mine fire has been burning under the deserted town since 1962, but this church is still going strong. 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. The main abandoned building here is the 120 Mill Motor House. Abandoned Places in Pennsylvania. 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. Bring a healthy dose of courage with you if you drive through this haunted town in Pennsylvania at night. 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. 100 years ago did not know you could get close to it!!! The seam below this coal region town caught on fire in the early 1960s, which marked the beginning of the end for the community. Travel through the two mile-long tunnels or simply enjoy them from the outside. Then be sure to check out 30 Abandoned Places in PA You Can Legally Visit! This old hotel, established in 1797, is haunted by Rachel, among other spirits. 8. You're awesome for doing it! Located in Venango County, the furnace sits about a hundred yards downstream of Freedom Falls. You can walk around campus in the daytime: https://pennhurstasylum.ticketleap.com/daytime-photography-tour/details. Located in the Scotia Barrens, just a few miles from State College, youll find the ruins of Scotia. The popular tourist attraction is also home to the ghost of a man named Frank. Tours are given and during the Halloween season, midnight tours. I honestly don't think you're going to get any good answers. Visitors access the mine via a very cool railcar. Not knowing it was open for tours, we didnt go!! Ghostly band music is said to come from the bandstand, tunes from around the turn of the century. These disused steel furnaces are now haunting ruins that may one day be a national park. Hidden deep in the woods of Valley Forge National Historical Park near Philadelphia, youll find the ruins of an early 20th-century bottling plant. Many legends surround the place, including that a gardener set the fire to cover his tracks after raping and killing many students. He handed them some ammunition for Psychics say that the energy here is high because there an Indian burial ground beneath the land. 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,. This site is very unlike what youd see at the other famous abandoned prison in Pennsylvania, Eastern State Penitentiary. (Submitted by Chris Berglund). According to reports, soldiers are still active at this site. Was an awesome experience. Would like to see a photo of the old carbon county switch back and trail it was used for. When I was young I hunted a farm field East of 209 in the Bushkill area. The Devil's Elbow Dysart, Pennsylvania 4.1 miles from Altoona, PA The Devil's Elbow is a dangerous curve along Wopsy Road that has a story about a ghostly white lady. Naval officerRobert Peary, a Cresson native credited with beingthe first explorer to reach the North Pole. However, few have been left alone in the middle of nature like Rockland Furnace. Sacramento River, California, USA. The National Emergency Training Center was once St. Joseph's College, which until 1973 was a Catholic girls' school established in 1809. Explore Altoona; Places to Stay; History of Altoona; Getting Around. This demolished goliath of American industry once loomed over the depressed town it once made thrive. Now SCI Cresson sits mostly abandoned on a parcel of land just off of Route 22 between Altoona and Ebensburg. This allowed me the chance to explore a variety of both historic buildings dating back to the early 20th century and modern cell blocks that wouldnt look out of place in a modern prison. 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! Altoona Blair County Airport; . Known as Pine Grove Furnace Prisoner of War Interrogation Camp, German and Japanese officers were brought here after being captured and interrogated. Follows the old railroad bed. Great article. When it was completed in 1882, the Kinzua Bridge was the largest and tallest bridge in the world. Some of the older housing units are three stories high, while the more modern ones are only two stories high. Offer subject to change without notice. Richfield, CA 96021, USA. Its steeple rises above many of the buildings, so its fairly easy to find from many areas throughout the prison grounds. Legend has it that she was a new bride on her honeymoon at the Wopsononock Hotel, which burned down long ago. Today, this once-bustling borough is reduced to fewer than 10 residents. The Admiral Peary Monument in Cambria Countyhonors U.S. 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. It was used as part of nuclear power experiments until the late 1950s. 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. 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. my mother was born there Can you be more specific as to where it is? 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. Looking for even more abandoned places to explore in Pennsylvania that wont have you running from the law? Thank you Joan Cramer Stefanini. There are actually two tunnels in that same area just a few miles apart. (Submitted by Callum Swift). 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. Said to be the first railroad tunnel built in USA. See Howard Tunnel in York County, Pa for the oldest operating railroad tunnel in the world. 2023 Rusty Glessner Photography, LLC / PA Bucket List. Located in Cresson, PA, just a few miles from Altoona, youll find the abandoned SCI Cresson. It is a short walk along the tracks through the woods. 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. He has also traveled to more than 30 different countries around the world. The homes were lived in continuously until just a few years ago. Thanks, Pennhurst Asylum in Spring City, PA is an eerie abandoned place to explore. Pennsylvania has dozens of historic iron furnaces. She has been seen on the turret's balcony. We had pulled over and sat. Trips Experiences Courses Places Foods . I know of Horseshoe Curve Tunnel and the abandoned turnpike, but are there any scary/ haunted places known locally that's legal . Located along the Railroad Arch Trail, the South Penn Railroad Aqueduct sits at the end of a quiet and easy trail. The 1915 Maryland Theatre, once a vaudeville and movie house, operated until 1973. While access to the kilns is limited by a fence, its still fun to walk around them and look at these beautiful ruins. The depot was built on land that was once the town of Alvira before it was seized by the government for the depot. Join paranormal investigators from JABA Paranormal on March 31, 2017 from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. on a paranormal investigation. Here, we had gone to the basementsusing just the flash of my camera to find our way. One thing I noticed in here was echos of my footsteps seemed just a bit eerie! What about Buck Hill Falls Inn? Bellwood, PA (7.6 mi.) 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 owners have been known to auction the rooms for a night, which is enough for some guests to leave the hotel in fear. But, beware, for a brokenhearted Irish womans spirit is said to have haunted the tunnel since the 1800s. One soldier who frequents the site has been described as having long gray hair and dirty, torn clothing of buckskin. Around the walls of the building, there are large paintings depicting various sports. One of the most haunted places in the town is Devil's Den. Andy Weimer, Traffic Coordinator 814-949-2496 . I spent the last 2 weekends of April visiting my brother/sister in law in Portage before they moved out of state, we were looking up alot of places to go those 2 weekends & this was one of them!!! Were taking our second trip this weekend! It became a tavern in the 1760s, and was also used as a courtroom. After the war, it became a church camp until the early 1970s. No matter where you look, youll see plenty of razor wire and chain link fences. A spooky annual Halloween ghost walk concludes here. He has been seen standing outside the building smoking a cigar. Since the mine was closed with the plan of reopening, much of the original mine equipment is still present. They show up as oddities on the photographic images taken all over the hotel. This may be the source of the glowing white figures that are reported, or the strange light manifestations. It opened in 1911 with 20 duplex homes. Transfiguration of Our Lord in Philadelphia. Please note: It is your responsibility to acquire appropriate permissions before investigating any location listed on this site. Wear study boots and bring a flashlight, so that you are prepared to safely explore the former prison grounds. The ghostly bride is seen along the road with a candle, looking for her husband, whose body was never recovered from the wreckage. The Cambria County Historical Society has some good info on the Sanitorium including first hand stories of people that were patients there. The ruined remains of a coal mining ghost town are hidden within the woods. Located in Cresson, PA, just a few miles from Altoona, you'll find the abandoned SCI Cresson. 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. The most popular spot at Centralia was Graffiti Highway, but this spot was sadly destroyed recently by the property owner. Well, it turned out to be the only overnight in a haunted facility that this ghost hunting team DID NOT COMPLETElolthey ran out the front gate. She is said to whisper "Turn off the lights" and move objects in the kitchen. Regardless, her spirit is said to still roam the tunnel today. 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. But where to start is the question. If you like exploring older churches, youll enjoy the fine details that went into building Grace Chapel. Used to be some bits and pieces left behind Nay Aug Park. The Tudor-style structures dating back to the original days as a tuberculosis sanitorium are some of the more interesting building facades at the abandoned prison complex. 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. And, save a few of the modern structures, the buildings are in very rough shape. The Turn Hole Railroad Tunnel in Lehigh Gorge Jim Thorpe The Westinghouse Atom Smasher can be found laying on its side in a residential neighborhood east of downtown Pittsburgh. The status of visitors being allowed is unknown, but I assume that it is currently closed to exploration. This forgotten building was one of the few Philadelphia-area breweries to survive Prohibition. Gettysburg. While you cant go into the furnaces, an elevated walkway allows visitors to get a close up look at these blast furnaces and peer inside their rusty confines. 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. Camp Sideling Hill is the second abandoned POW camp from World War 2 on this list. Madeline Letsche befriended the founder of the theater when her mother, Laura, would help with theatre productions. 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. The historic inn dates back to 1790, and was recently restored after a catastrophic fire swept through the building in 2008. Gettysburg has earned a reputation as being the most haunted town in Pennsylvania and perhaps even in the United States. Please only visit with permission. 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. Of course, this also gave it a bit of an eerie and forbidden feeling. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turn_Hole_Tunnel, Very interesting .Does anyone have a picture of Turners Inn Restaurant on Route 40? The Scranton Iron Furnaces were built in the 1850s and in operation until the early 1900s. Now Ill have to do it this summer and stop!! Completed in 1854,the Allegheny Tunnel is still in use tothis day, and theGallitzin Tunnels Parknext to it is a popular spot for railfans to congregate and watch trains enter and exit this historic tunnel. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. According to those in the know, this area is haunted by the ghost of a young girl who wears a white dress. Opened as a state-of-the-art prison in 1829, Eastern State Penitentiaryin Philadelphia was the model for many future correctional facilities. Another building to search out is the prisons gymnasium. Ironton Rail Trail Abandoned PA Turnpike Carrie Furnace in Pittsburgh is nearly all that remains of the once massive Homestead Steel Works on the banks of the Monongahela River. Today, visitors can go deep underground to see this once-active mine and learn more about coal mining. You 're going to get any good answers lime kilns at Canoe Creek State Park can imagine Canoe Creek Park. The Brady abandoned places in altoona and Sideling Hill is the prisons gymnasium now SCI Cresson State prison with from! Used as part of nuclear power experiments until the late 1950s brutal treatment of used as courtroom. 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