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The Most Fascinating Abandoned Places In The United States

 

Multiple attempts to restore and repurpose the building have fallen through, so the transportation hub still sits abandoned. Tanner's Hospital, built in the early s and named for Dr. Anterro Tanner, provided therapy for patients recovering from surgery. It was renamed Carpenter's Hospital when Dr.

Carroll Carpenter took over, and then became an apartment complex called Lakeview. The now-unused building is still referred to as " the castle " by some. Arlington was built around by John Hampton White. It was named a National Historic Landmark in for its detailed architecture. It's considered " one of four important Federal Style villas which established the basic form for the later antebellum houses of Natchez, " according to the nomination form for the National Register of Historic Places.

A fire damaged the house in Louis provided the perfect temperature for brewing. The giant building spanning five city blocks was built by his son, William. Prohibition forced the brewery to close in , and the building was sold in The dilapidated, vacant building still stands today and has been repurposed into a haunted house. Garnet was a bustling mining town of 1, people that had hotels, barber shops, a school, and saloons in the late s. When World War II began, dynamite use was redirected towards the war effort, curtailing mining efforts, and turning it into a ghost town.

Blogger Jim Sullivan of Places That Were visited in and found an old service station, a store called Chamberlin's that had long been closed, and abandoned houses. Like most Gold Rush towns, the rush was short-lived. The mines closed in and the town was empty by Parts of the abandoned town have been restored by Paramount Pictures to use as movie sets. At its peak, it employed workers including cutters, polishers, engineers, carpenters, and blacksmiths. The company's business began to slow during World War II when the focus shifted to cheaper materials such as limestone and concrete aggregate, and the entire property was sold at auction in Officially called the Feltville Historic District, the area in the wooded Watchung Reservation earned the nickname " The Deserted Village " since many have tried and failed to establish roots there since Three families still call it home, but most of the 19th-century houses in the area sit abandoned.

The woods surrounding the village are known as the "Enchanted Forest" thanks to rumors of ghosts and Satanist activities. Trains stopped arriving in , and Route 66 began passing through it in , bringing business from travelers on the road.

But when Interstate 40 was built through the town, cars no longer stopped there. Cuervo had a post office until , but it's a proper ghost town today.

Hudson River State Hospital, formerly known as " Hudson River State Hospital for the Insane ," was a mental hospital that operated from until The facility used straight jackets, electroshock therapy, and lobotomies as methods of treatment for mental illnesses.

As talk therapy and psychiatric medications were deemed better options, the acre grounds began to empty and fall into disrepair. Aside from the eerie remnants of medical equipment and holding rooms for the criminally insane, there have been reports of paranormal activity. Enoch Staley built the track in and the first race was held a year later.

It closed in and held a few more events in and in an effort to revitalize interest in the space, but the local city council backed out of allocating funds to reopen it.

The Governor's Mansion was constructed in for a First National Bank executive, who sold the house to the state in It served as an official North Dakota Governor's Residence for 20 governors and their families until It was opened to the public as a North Dakota State Historic Site in , renovated to look as it did in Governor Frank Briggs died of tuberculosis in the house in , and a butler refused to sleep there claiming it was haunted by his spirit.

The Ohio State Reformatory opened in and closed in At its peak in , the facility held 5, prisoners. The site now offers tours and ghost hunting classes. In its glory days, the Riviera Drive-In Theater could host cars.

Those days are gone, as it was shut down due to weather damage in YouTuber miah filmed his visit to the now-defunct theater in and documented the remains of fallen screens, concession stands, and a ticket booth. Four months into its construction in , a storm swept away the workers' tools and provisions.

Then in , the ship Lupatia wrecked and sank nearby, killing all 16 crew members. The cult grew, and everything was going well until one of its members died of suspicious causes in From here, uneasy members left the commune, leaving Marie to reside in the Home of Truth by herself until her death in Though it's now on private property, Utah State Route goes right past the abandoned compound, and visitors to Canyonlands National Park Needles District can also catch a glimpse of this mysterious place, too.

When Arizona's Santa Claus Land was founded in , it was meant to be an enchanting year-round destination along Route This unique park provided families a magical holiday experience all year long, with the Man in Red on standby to listen as kids rattled off their Christmas wish lists.

But by the s, America's love affair with Route 66 had begun to dwindle, and its roadside attractions closed like dominoes. Today, road trippers can see the remains of Santa Claus Land behind a barbed wire fence, making this one of the creepiest abandoned places in the United States.

Glenrio straddles the border between Texas and New Mexico, and is another roadside casualty along Route This southwestern border town was founded in as a popular intersection for many of the growing railroad lines across America.

But alas, its location on the border put it betwixt and between two states, neither of which were willing to cede control. Two post offices, two gas stations, two state taxes In , the Rock Island Railroad Depot closed, and by the s, all but two residents remained. Today, curious explorers can drive through this ghost town and imagine what life was once like. There's little more unsettling than an abandoned theme park - the crowds, rides, and laughter that once filled the park grounds seem to linger in the air.

Joyland Amusement Park was once an epic Midwest destination; open from until , this park was good, old-fashioned American fun, with wooden roller coasters, bumper cars, and a Ferris wheel. Today, the once-popular destination sits quiet and abandoned, kept company by graffiti-covered attractions, decaying coasters, and sun-bleached ticket booths. Over the years, auctions, fires, and nature disassembled Joyland piece by piece; however, this story has a happy ending.

Today, visitors can take a whirl on the original Joyland Carousel, which has been renovated and relocated to the Wichita Botanica Gardens. Off a lonely highway in Beaver, Dinosaur World is an abandoned theme park that's slowly being consumed by the earth. Dinosaur World opened in and was a wildly popular attraction; it was a wholly unique place with hand-painted sculptures of dinosaurs, cavemen, and other prehistoric creatures. Today, Dinosaur World no longer draws crowds or attention, but visitors can stop and gaze upon its gated ruins, and imagine what once was in this abandoned Arkansas theme park.

There's so much to the story of America, and the Laurel Valley Plantation is a living testament to a very real part of our past. In Thibodaux, Louisiana, Laurel Valley Plantation offers visitors the unique opportunity to step into the history books, with over 50 original and well-preserved plantation buildings.

Laurel Valley Sugar Plantation was originally owned by Joseph Tucker, who bought more than 50, acres along the beautiful Bayou Lafourche in the early s. At one point, it was the largest producer of sugar in Lafourche Parish, and slaves worked on the plantation. The grounds had a mill and slave cabins, all of which can be visited today. The insides of these buildings are closed, however.

It's the largest surviving sugar plantation in the U. The home was abandoned in and sold in ; since then, it's stood strong against numerous hurricanes and tropical storms. Between its opening in till , the hospital treated an average of 7, patients per year. By the number of patients exceeded capacity, and the city smallpox hospital moved to a much larger facility on North Brother Island. The Roosevelt Island Smallpox Hospital was turned into a training center for nurses and was in operation until Left to the elements since that time, the colossal Gothic structure is a wonder to behold.

Glades Correctional Institution opened in as Prison Farm 2. Regardless of the designation, this institution gained national notoriety in when six inmates — all serving life sentences — dug a tunnel under the chapel and escaped.

One of the escapees was captured just outside the prison fence, but the rest managed to flee. A tip from locals led police to two more of the inmates, one of whom was fatally shot during the capture.

Two more of the inmates were captured in Little Havana when an officer on patrol spotted them. The last inmate remained on the lam until when Mexican police shot him in a failed robbery attempt. Glades Correctional Institution is the second oldest prison in Florida. Urban explorers will enjoy investigating the cell blocks, and other facilities left abandoned.

If you love exploring old industrial sites, Fisher Flour Mill just outside of Seattle is perfect for your next urbex adventure. The abandoned mill sits decaying, with 14 floors of interesting antiquated milling equipment now covered in graffiti and bird droppings.

After creating man-made Harbor Island in Elliot Bay in , a pair of flour-milling entrepreneurs was the first to build on the island.

Fisher and O. Fisher officially opened the Fisher Flour Mill in The mill processed and packaged their ground grain mixture for sale on its own or as part of products like Fisher Scones.

The Fishers, being savvy businessmen, expanded their empire over the next eight decades to eventually include 26 radio stations and 12 TV stations, all heavily promoting their products. As their media businesses became more profitable, they decided to sell the mill. Oregon-based Pendleton Flour Mills bought the Harbor Island facility in but closed the site after only one year.

Since then, the abandoned site has become a legend with urban explorers. For more than 50 years, this acre site served as a correctional facility for non-violent criminals. The Atlanta Prison Farm opened in to provide vocational training and rehabilitation for men.

Prisoners operated the dairy, raised livestock, and harvested produce, creating a self-sustaining facility while selling surplus to the public. With little security and no armed guards, the City embraced it as a progressive idea. However, in reality, the chain-gangs who worked the farm were little more than indentured servants of the state.

After closing in , the state abandoned the farm, and soon kudzu and graffiti covered the remaining buildings. In the site caught fire, and the fire department decided to let it burn itself out rather than risk lives to save the crumbling facility.

Proposals for the future of the property are complicated by the fact the owners are the City of Atlanta and Fulton County despite the fact the site is in Dekalb county. Visitors to the site should exercise caution as many of the structures are unstable. City leaders developed a plan for an underground mass transit system at a time when horse-drawn buggies competed with streetcars and the new automobile on the busy city streets. The proposed mile rapid transit system would loop around the city and travel underground to downtown, reemerging to travel alongside the Ohio River.

City residents overwhelmingly approved the project in the election, but work did not begin until In , the first 2-mile section of the subway was complete, but by that time, inflation had eaten away most of the budget, and city leaders were forced to reduce the scope of the project.

Time and again, the project was delayed. Plans for repurposing the tunnels have included converting them into a bomb shelter, a retail district, a wine cellar, and even another transit system. Standing abandoned for years, the Cincinnati Subway is a set of incomplete, derelict tunnels over two miles in length beneath the city streets. There are no plans to revive the project.

The Wreck of Peter Iredale is a popular attraction for locals and shipwreck enthusiasts. Since the ship ran aground on Clatsop Spit on the Oregon coast on October 26, , locals have watched the elements take their toll on the once-proud ship until only bare bones remain onshore. The wreckage is still visible on the beach, making it one of the most accessible shipwrecks in the Graveyard of the Pacific.

The ship was named after Peter Iredale of Liverpool, England, who owned the vessel as part of his shipping fleet. The ill-fated last voyage of the ship began on September 26, , sailing from Salinas, Mexico, bound for Portland, Oregon, to return to England with a shipment of wheat. When entering the mouth of the Columbia River in a thick fog and rising tide, high winds forced the ship aground. All 27 sailors were evacuated, and there were no casualties. With minor damage to the hull, plans were made to tow it back out to sea.

While awaiting favorable weather, the ship listed to port and became deeply embedded in the sand. Over a century since it ran aground, the rusted bow and masts are still visible on the shore.

The wreck can be found in Fort Stevens State Park. It produced coal-powered electricity for the city from until , when it became a backup source. The Market Street Power Plant officially closed in after receiving numerous citations for environmental violations. The property is a brownfield site, loaded with asbestos and other contaminants yet to be removed. So, urban explorers, be aware and take precautions. The original structure is still standing.

The enormous , square foot brick structure is utilitarian in its design with its turn-of-the-century no-frills construction. The plant has been stripped of anything of monetary value, but there are huge rooms filled with industrial relics from the era. Copious amounts of graffiti cover the inside and outside of the plant, softening the cold brick exterior. Over the decades, the site has become a favorite for urbex, with many pictures posted online of rooms filled with dials and gauges and equipment that seems foreign today.

Visit the site before it becomes condominiums. You finally found a site you are going to explore, now what? Now comes the planning and preparation before you physically visit the site. Knowing how to stay safe while exploring involves a bit of research and common sense.

Paying attention to the details will enable you to urbex without accident or injury. First, having a little knowledge of the history of the site can give you much-needed information such as the year the building was abandoned, and the general condition of the site.

Having a bit of history first makes the exploration more exciting and you can appreciate urbex more understanding the circumstances of abandonment. When inside the building, pay attention to your surroundings. This can help you avoid potential dangers such as caved-in floors, broken staircases, or standing water. Avoid injury by staying alert to the many dangers in abandoned sites. Do not explore alone!

Exploring alone can be dangerous. If you can not find a like-minded friend to join you, consider joining a group. Do not rush your adventure. Many people make the mistake of rushing about the site to see it all while possibly overlooking a precarious pitfall.

Go during the daytime when it is easier to navigate the site. Bring your own safety equipment. Be prepared! Standing in the silence of a site long ago abandoned and appreciating the way nature reclaims her territory is an awesome experience.

We wander through the remains while discovering interesting information about the former inhabitants and their lives. Each site tells a story of a time long forgotten, about changes in economy or commerce or culture, of fortunes, won or lost. Inserting ourselves into their world, if only for a minute, we feel the cold steel cell door close and stand in the small space formerly occupied only by inmates.

We stand in the treatment room of a former asylum and wonder at the advances we have made as a society. Taking a look into the remains of these abandoned sites allows us to feel empathy for those who have gone before us.

People very much like us have lived their lives in a time and place we know very little about. Urbex gives us a window into their world. It gives us the opportunity to understand more about our world. If you are one of the curious few, urbex may be calling you to explore. About What Is Urbex? More Abandoned Places in Florida. More Abandoned Places in Jacksonville. More Abandoned Places in North Carolina. More Abandoned Places in Washington.

Abandoned places in Michigan image by Mathias Berlin via Shutterstock. According to legend, this Indianapolis house was a stop on the Underground Railroad that helped slaves escape north to Canada prior to the American Civil War.

One night a fire broke out and a group of slaves were burned to death. Mr Hannah, the owner, buried their ashes in the basement of the home. To this day, the ghosts of these slaves haunt the home. Moans, shadows, whispers, and cold spots have been experienced in the basement. In , the town of Villisca became notorious when an entire family was murdered in their sleep by an unknown assailant with an ax. The house is rumored to be haunted by the ghosts of the murdered family, and the house is available for lockdowns if any paranormal enthusiasts are looking for a thrill.

Rumored to be a gateway to hell, Stull Cemetery is said to be a very actively haunted place. Next to an abandoned church in Stull, the cemetery is the subject of many legends, some over years old. Satan himself is rumored to appear here twice a year. Visitors say they have been grabbed by something invisible, or suffered memory loss and other maladies while visiting the cemetery. Located in Louisville, Waverly Hills Sanitarium opened in , to house the victims of the Tuberculosis epidemic.

The building has housed over 63, deaths, with many of their spirits remaining behind. Ghosts seem to wander every inch of this building and grounds.

Witnesses here report unexplained lights, apparitions, shadowy forms and other various phenomena. Creepy is putting it mildly, as this site is considered one of the most haunted places on earth. It is located in St. Francisville and believed to be the site of 10 murders. Many visitors, as well as employees in the hotel, still hear the dying footsteps of the former owner who died on the stairs, after being shot by by a stranger.

Many have reported capturing photographs of former slaves while around the plantation. Strand Cinema in Skowhegan, is considered the most haunted place in Maine. Patrons have reported everything from sightings to physical contact at the theater.

They were shocked by electric tools that were not plugged in. Tools were thrown about and stains were splattered all over newly painted walls. A shadowed apparition is reported to have thrown a piece of balcony ceiling tile into the sets and hand prints have been found on the movie screen. It is estimated that over 8, died during their stay at the camp. Many campers who camp at Point Lookout State Park encounter the ghosts of Confederate soldiers either walking across the roads or walking alongside of them.

Several paranormal activities have been experienced in the Lighthouse itself, including pictures taken of ghosts, various frightening EVPs, and blatant encounters with apparitions. Many of the mysterious occurrences revolve around Hockomock Swamp, a 16,acre wetland located in the Freetown Fall River State Forest. The Hockomock Swamp is known to serve as a dumping ground for murder victims, and reports of cults practicing black magic.

Traverse City State Hospital, located in Traverse City, operated for more than years and during those years, many stories have evolved about restless spirits and patients who never checked out of the hospital. Visitors report feelings of ominous and oppressive feelings. There are reports of disembodied screams and voices echoing through the empty halls.

Lights are said to turn on and off by themselves. This is made even more frightening by the fact that there has not been electricity running through the building for many years. Now a restaurant, the manor was once a private home to wealthy wholesaler Joseph Forepaugh and his family. Both Joseph and the maid, Molly, died in the home and are said to haunt the premises today. Legend has it that the two were having a torrid affair. Riddled with guilt, Joseph shot himself in the head; a heartbroken Molly hanged herself days later.

While Joseph seems to simply stroll the grounds, Molly tends to terrify guests, pounding walls and exploding glasses. They say she likes to spend time at social events and her ghostly figure can be seen in a recent wedding photo. This magnificent Meridian music hall is home to some very talents guests. The entertainment is out of this world!

Singing specters grace the space and perform when the main hall is quiet.