Located in Cresson, PA, just a few miles from Altoona, you'll find the abandoned SCI Cresson. A painting of Jesus in the foyer still greets visitors to the chapel as it has for many, many years. Not knowing it was open for tours, we didnt go!! I stumbled across a very old headstone with 1700 dates on it. The Avondale Mine diaster site in Nanticoke, Pa! On the second floor, youll find offices for workers at the prison. Visitors to the theaters ladys room also claim to have seen theater guests dressed in early 1900s attire. My children had some great times there. Gilson Ridge Cemetery in Hydetown Pa. The Devils Elbow is a dangerous curve along Wopsy Road that has a story about a ghostly white lady. In 1956, the facility was incorporated into the Lawrence F. Flick State Hospital. Jim Cheney is the creator of UncoveringPA.com. We had pulled over and sat. A ghostly white figure of a woman was in the back right seat we all seen her. In fact, it preserves several important buildings in the Lukens Historic District. 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. If you can ignore the fences and razor wire, its not hard to imagine yourself on the grounds of a grand English manor in the countryside, at least among the Tudor-style buildings. If you've had a paranormal experience here, or have any additional information about this location, please let us know! Concrete City is located in Luzerne County near Nanticoke and was once company housing for select employees that worked at the nearby Truesdale Colliery. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. Most folks would be scared to do it againbut we yearn for another visit. Disclaimer: The stories posted here are user-submitted and are, in the nature of "ghost stories," largely unverifiable. I have. 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 . A solitude woman is said to be seen staring out of the window of the master bedroom. Meanwhile, the basement is in quite rough shape, with very little light and peeling paint. Almost all of the buildings have either a number or a letter emblazoned on them. Would love to have good picture, so would many others. Abandoned Vehicle on Public Streets. It would have been torn down then, but the concrete used to build the homes ended up being too difficult for even dynamite to destroy. Grew up there and is definetly eerie up on the buckhorn. Turned out Rockview had the CERT team there. Eastern State Penitentiary - Philadelphia and its Countryside Philadelphia www.easternstate.org In 1829, the first prisoner walked through the doors of Eastern State Penitentiary. Great article. The Scranton Iron Furnaces were built in the 1850s and in operation until the early 1900s. In the 1950s, the Curtiss-Wright Corporation obtained 51,000 acres of land in this remote area of Pennsylvania. 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. The ruined remains of a coal mining ghost town are hidden within the woods. However, the mine never again reopened as an active coal mine. The Cambria County Historical Society has some good info on the Sanitorium including first hand stories of people that were patients there. The uncovered testimony of a teenage girl claims the ghost of Isaac Mishler haunts historic Altoona's Mishler Theatre. Frightened, the two desperately finally managed to close the Locals tell a harrowing story of something that may happen near here: A strange fog gathers quickly, and from out of the mysterious fog comes a ghostly battle. Today, it sits abandoned in the woods just waiting for people to come and explore it. In the late 1800s, the area around Oil Creek was home to tens of thousands of prospectors hoping to strike it rich. Such a neat place to explore. You can also check out Pizzeria Beddia in Philly which was once named the Best Pizza in the US. The graffitied ruins stand hidden within the Pennsylvania woods. 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. In 1974 it caught fire and was rebuilt, and to this day presents cultural offerings to the public. In this space, youll find a large basketball court that still retains some of the paint on the floor, though, sadly, no basketball hoops. Tunnelhill, PA (7.1 mi.) However, when traffic necessitated upgrades to the roadway, this section of road and its two tunnels were bypassed. Historically, it had a massive campus with 3,350 beds and was known for its often brutal treatment of . Although some of that glass has since been shattered at the hands of vandals. 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. Built in the late 1700s, the old jail has a legend attached. Not far from Johnstown Pa. is the Staple Bend railroad tunnel. Rusty Glessner is a professional photographer, lifelong Pennsylvanian, and creator of the PA Bucket List travel blog. This farmhouse, built during the Civil War, was once even used as a war hospital. The historic inn dates back to 1790, and was recently restored after a catastrophic fire swept through the building in 2008. Some say they have seen the woman that roams the house. This may be the source of the glowing white figures that are reported, or the strange light manifestations. Carrie Blast Furnace in Rankin. kettner dam elk county,jones twp. Known as Pine Grove Furnace Prisoner of War Interrogation Camp, German and Japanese officers were brought here after being captured and interrogated. The more modern cells are far cleaner, but still not somewhere Id want to call home! I lived in Clairton , pleasant hills and bethel Park, I now live in California but miss Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania. TheWorld-Famous Horseshoe Curvewas considered one of theengineering wonders of the worldat the time of its completion in1854. The National Iron and Steel Museum in Coatesville isnt abandoned in and of itself. A hidden piece of Altoona's railroad history in a long-forgotten abandoned town. Over the next few years, buildings were torn down and others were built in their place to turn the site into a modern and state-of-the-art prison. You missed the Rockland tunnel right by the Rockland Furnace. Corrections officers kept an eye on the cell block from behind reinforced glass windows. 27, . Many "ghost hunters" have been arrested because they failed to contact property owners and/or local authorities ahead of time. 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. 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. 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. As their carriage rounded the Devil's Elbow, there was an . Looking around I noticed others with worn names. Inside the main lobby, there is incredible woodwork that can be found before branching off into the rest of this three-story building. Somebody needs to explore the area. It is also said that cameras will always fail to work at this site. Google gives you the tourist attractions, but theres a ton of more locally known places not widely known. Read more 0 Flavel Mansion Astoria, Oregon Nearby Attractions. Without a doubt, this site is easily one of the largest abandoned places in Pennsylvania and one of the most varied. 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. Ghosts here include a woman who haunts the kitchen (especially the walk-in cooler). This historic hotel has been in operation for over a century, but is now believed to be a private residence. Camp Sideling Hill is the second abandoned POW camp from World War 2 on this list. 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. Fortunately this time, no one was killed. 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. While little remains of the structures, its a fascinating spot for history lovers looking for great abandoned sites 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. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Inmate phones in the cell blocks were controlled by panels like the one below. 100 years ago did not know you could get close to it!!! Since then, its been hidden away in the woods of this state forest. A weight room off the side of the gymnasium is a throwback to the 80s, when multi-station weight machines became all the rage. Same experiences, Just got back from this bogus site. Voice your opinion here! It's illegal to trespass on private property, and most public property is closed from dawn to dusk. 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. This drinking fountain in one of the older cell blocks once quenched the thirst of the medium-security prisoners housed here. It was wild! The seam below this coal region town caught on fire in the early 1960s, which marked the beginning of the end for the community. Andy Weimer, Traffic Coordinator 814-949-2496 . This is a crock. 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. A train station that was abandoned by the coal industry and was later converted into a cocktail bar. Visitors access the mine via a very cool railcar. Today, visitors can walk or bike this section of roadway, passing through the two mile-long tunnels and exploring this post-apocalyptic site that is one of my favorite abandoned places in Pennsylvania. 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. At the facility, cutting-edge treatments were used to treat those with this contagious disease. The City of Altoona is required to provide notice and a period of time for the vehicle . Anything left of Luna Park in Scranton. Today, both bike riders and hikers can check out the base of this tower to learn more about the railroading industry in the area. And then, the church suddenly burned down. regularly. 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. This freedom gives you the chance to enter nearly all of the structures and to find the spots that interest you the most. Private property should be respected at all times, as should all posted signs concerning trespassing, hours of operation and other local regulations. Built in 1907, the two blast furnaces here were in nearly continuous operation until 1978. Today, this once-bustling borough is reduced to fewer than 10 residents. 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,. Open house dates for the prison are announced on the Facebook page for the site and all events are listed on their website. Essentially every building at the former SCI Cresson had some form of access control room. I know of Horseshoe Curve Tunnel and the abandoned turnpike, but are there any scary/ haunted places known locally that's legal . But, just happened to be hosting Mock-Riot training years back. https://youtube.com/c/ODDySEEy. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. Looking for even more abandoned places to explore in Pennsylvania that wont have you running from the law? Finally, if youd like to help restore the site, they also have volunteer days periodically. Abandoned downtown and hospital on the hill with nurses quarters. Of course, this also gave it a bit of an eerie and forbidden feeling. The Limestone Trail trailhead is located at the northeast corner of the parking lots at GPS coordinates 40.48496, -78.28334. Located in southwestern Pennsylvania, Linn Run State Park is home to the beautiful ruins of a hunting lodge. Your CommentsHave a photograph taken from this location? Witnesses say they have felt a heavy presence inside, during which it is difficult to breathe. Tille Pierce is well known as she wrote a book in the aftermath of Gettysburg about her experiences during the battle. While Ive only visited for the self-guided tours, this seems like a great location for both. It was abandoned for decades until the national park service opened it as a historical site. In fact, when entering the site, I was told that if I could find an open door, I could go in and explore as much as I wanted. Central Pa.'s largest abandoned places include schools, a resort, once-beloved retail stores. Ruins to explore and in the summer there are weekend yours. Were taking our second trip this weekend! These bunkers were used to test nuclear-powered jet engines as part of the governments Atoms for Peace program. Grace Chapel was built in 1914, as part of the original Cresson Tuberculosis Sanatorium. The Allegheny Tunnel . Used to be some bits and pieces left behind Nay Aug Park. Regardless, her spirit is said to still roam the tunnel today. Off we go to uncover the tales behind three of the most haunted spots in Altoona. See Howard Tunnel in York County, Pa for the oldest operating railroad tunnel in the world. This mental hospital was open until December 1982 when the state decided to turn the site into a prison. It is said that he lost some bones along the way and was reburied as an incomplete body. One thing I noticed in here was echos of my footsteps seemed just a bit eerie! 3.8. Philadelphias Mount Moriah Cemetery is one of the largest cemeteries in the country and the final resting place of up to 300,000 people. 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. The vaudeville venue built in 1913 is the home of a ghostly former manager. The Turn Hole Tunnel is located just outside of Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania in Lehigh Gorge State Park (next to the trailhead for the now-closed Glen Onoko). In truth, I could keep going on and on discussing the many cool things I found while exploring the abandoned SCI Cresson. Then be sure to check out 30 Abandoned Places in PA You Can Legally Visit! 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 1915 Maryland Theatre, once a vaudeville and movie house, operated until 1973. Westinghouse Atom Smasher in Forest Hills. 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). The hayrides are year-round so visit freely! Thats a famous historical train site. 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.) When I was young I hunted a farm field East of 209 in the Bushkill area. 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. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Several people were hanged here, and it is said that their spirits walk restlessly throughout the place. All I know about it is, it ran from down town to up over the hill behind the school in upper Jim Thorpe. Bring a healthy dose of courage with you if you drive through this haunted town in Pennsylvania at night. Many old presidents visited there.I worked as a waitress there 1959- 1963. He is said to be seen mostly around the old gardening tools. Jim Cheney is the creator of UncoveringPA.com. A couplr of my friends an I decided to go one night. So, when I heard that the former SCI Cresson Prison near Altoona was open for visits, I knew I needed to check it out as soon as I could. 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. Some of the existing buildings were also retrofitted with cells and other prison necessities. 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. I honestly don't think you're going to get any good answers. 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. Hotel Hershey, 12 Philly places, more: The 32 highest rated hotels in Pa. 6 . The post office and the fire dept are both in existence too. Tons of cool architecture and history there. In fact, much of the equipment looked like you could just dust it off and start working out. Often seen on the second floor is the ghost of an African-American man who wears 1800s clothing. Anyone know of any abandoned places youre allowed to legally explore in the State College/ Altoona area? This is a fantastic spot for both history buffs and photographers to tour. Off we go to uncover the tales behind three of the most haunted spots in Altoona. Between these two Tudor Revival buildings, make sure to find Grace Chapel. Today, the homes sit hidden in the woods on land owned by the city. One of the most haunted places in the town is Devil's Den. 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. 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