New wings were added to the original building and a new dining hall and chapel were built. The railroad tunnel nicknamed the "Bloody Pit" for taking the lives of hundreds during its construction. Find out all the things you can The hospital was closed and abandoned in 1973 and is now senior citizens' condominiums. By the 1970s, the railroad bridge that once carried trains over Route 62 had been dismantled, leaving the Clinton Tunnel disconnected and abandoned in the woods adjacent to the Wachusett Dam. Share this page. The asylum was built according to the Kirkland linear plan devised by Dr. Thomas Kirkland and designed by architect Nataniel J. Bradlee. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'urbexunderground_com-leader-3','ezslot_11',143,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-urbexunderground_com-leader-3-0');The towns name was eventually tarnished by accusations of witchcraft. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'urbexunderground_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_5',151,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-urbexunderground_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); The tunnel was built in the early 1900s as a part of a four-mile track extension from West Berlin. After fundraising, the organization is working on plans to restore the theater, although its progress is unknown. Several arson attempts were made causing minor damage to the building. Between 1946 and 1953 Harvard University and MIT conducted secrets experiments on the children for nuclear medicine research. The former locus of Boston's high culture has been shuttered and buried for over 70 years. The house was built in the 1890s for Albert Charles Houghton, President of the Arnold Print Works and first Mayor of North Adams, Massachusetts. See reviews, photos, directions, phone numbers and more for the best Amusement Places & Arcades in North Adams, MA. In 1926, surviving members of the There are a number of run-of-the-mill "campfire stories" about Snyder's Lake. Many urbex were interested in the historical architecture or exploring the abandoned operating theaters. 42.40135, -71.32918Photo Credit: Jenn Foreman Orth flickr.com. In the early 2000s, the facility was used to care for mentally disabled adults. Webdocument Header Notification for Removal or Closure of an In Place Storage Tank Health Department 13 documents. In the spring of 1914, the wealthy Houghton family bought their first car. Ponyhenge is by far one of the strangest abandoned places in Massachusetts. Another movie filmed at Danvers State Hospital, Home Before Dark (1958), features rare footage of the hospital interior and exterior during operations. The remainder of the property was designated for inclusion in the state park in the 1990s, although clean-up and demolition of the former military structures has yet to be completed. The patient population continuously dwindled until its closure in 2014. Tall Gothic spires rose from the eight wings that radiated from the 130-foot tall central tower. It's haunted by original builder Captain Jonathan Hunt's granddaughter Lucy and her lover, Johnny Burgoyne, a British general whom she met when Cemeteries near North Adams, MA This sprawling 18th-century cemetery features unique and beautiful gravestones, including one shaped like a tree. See our Dead Malls Guide for more. Winner will be selected at random on 02/01/2023. These semi-separated houses displayed a new attitude toward the treatment of the mentally ill. The dam which is still visible today was designed to protect the area from water flowing down Hop Brook. The sound of singing has accompanied some of these ghostly incidents. Instead of following the classic Kirkbride layout, architects designed the buildings in the New Cottage style. Construction began in 1863 and was completed three years later. This nightmare did have the consent of inmates parents or legal guardians but many of those insisted the study operators were less than forthcoming about the details of the medical experiment. Rutland Prison Camp was constructed in 1903 to rehabilitate criminals with minor offenses. Choosing one may prove to be hard, so visit them all. WebThe Ghosts of Houghton Mansion. The ruins are part of the surrounding park. To access the tunnel, visitors can park near the Wachusett Reservoir dam and walk northeast along Route 62 until a crumbling stone trestle comes into view. The Houghton chauffeur, who had been driving the car and was apparently racked with guilt, took his own life soon after. In 1971 parents sued the school and made headlines in the local paper. The elaborate and expensive Kirkbride institutional models, built in Worcester (1877) and Danvers (1878), were now considered a massive waste of taxpayers money. An H-shaped building was erected to house committed patients, connected to the main building by long, elegant conservatories. Today these stones are one of the last remaining signs that anything other than the forest was ever here. Medfield State Hospital was a campus of 58 buildings constructed in the late 1800s. Hunting for abandoned places in Massachusetts? 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This abandoned radar station from the Cold War era now only broadcasts a seriously ominous air of isolation. The Lyman School for Boys was established by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1886 replacing the State Reform School built nearby in 1846. Webmembers and residents of the Adams area. Known as Jolly Jane by the staff, Toppan laid next to her patients while they died. Still, its brief existence managed to have a lasting cultural impact, drawing thought leaders like Charles Anderson, Margaret Fuller and Nathaniel Hawthorne, whose novel The Blithedale Romance was inspired in part by the communal design of Brook Farm. While there are more exciting abandoned places in Massachusetts the Clinton Tunnel is still a cool spot if youre in the area. The institution opened in 1886 as the Westborough Insane Hospital immediately received 200 patients from nearby overcrowded facilities. Details: warning The tunnel is very active not recommend the 4-mile trip, trains do This part of Franklin Park has stood abandoned and neglected ever since. These items include wooden derricks, bull wheels, drills, winches, compressors and a pair of rusted mid-century trucks, as well as several massive piles of grout, the jagged rock byproduct left behind by the quarrying process. For $2.3 million, the project was paid for by Preservation Worcester Historical Society. The hospital was designed according to the Kirkbride Plan, a method devised and developed by prominent psychiatrist Dr. Thomas Story Kirkbride. The hospital was closed and abandoned in 1973 Rumor has it that the elusive ghost of a lady in a black dress has been seen at Evergreen Cemetery. Turn Hall is an apartment with a downstairs gym, bar and bowling alley. Can an Old Coin Solve the Mystery of a Lost Roman Emperor? Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. Inside the building, objects are said to move on their own, perhaps the doings of a shadowy figure witnesses Jack "Legs" Diamond, aka Gentleman Jack, was an gangster during the Prohibition era. It is also one of the most haunted! The building is an impressive piece of architecture built in Beaux Arts-style with impressive limestone arches visible from the street. Those who are into urban exploration in the Massachusetts state area, and wanting to explore abandoned places in Massachusetts, should get comfortable with Massachusetts trespassing laws. The views and amenities drew in travelers far and wide. Just all urbex all the time. Inside was in rough shape. Still an active freight route, this 5 mile tunnel is one of the longest in North America. With the cost of renovation impractical, the station is now a collection of dilapidated 50s style housing quarters, office buildings, a bar, and a bowling alley. Instead of iron bars, residents were trained to stay at the facility using honor, education, and the threat of corporal punishment. Developed by the namesake brothers behind the Walworth Manufacturing Company, the residential hotel opened in 1875 and featured a steam elevator, a technological marvel at the time. The old State Reform School was refurbished and became the Westborough Insane Hospital in 1886. Interest in the site was heightened by videos posted online and soon Franklin Park became one of the best abandoned places in Massachusetts for urbex. The rail line was used for both passenger and freight transport. The Bear Dens, considered modern for its time, featured large stone pools of water for the bears to swim and play in. The situation at the school became even more deplorable when medical experimentation began there in the 1940s and 50s. The Plymouth colony was established in 1602. In 1927 the station was slated for demolition, but Lawyer Henry Aldrich wanted the tower saved. Eva was known as the "I Don't Care" Girl because of her famous song. Lovecraft's horror stories and Batman's Arkham Asylum is now a condominium complex. Amidst the legal battles, horrific stories of abuse and torture surfaced. Becket Quarry is free and open to the public, making it one of the more interesting free abandoned places in Massachusetts to visit. Despite being a successful farm and prison, the site was built in a low-lying drainage area and after repeated flooding, the prison camp was closed in 1934. Famous students of Lyman include Robert DeSalvo, the Boston Strangler. Reconstruction of the facility now included a prison-style dormitory for the older most ill-behaved boys. The brownstone is said to be haunted by the ghost of an unknown woman in period clothing. The neo-classical Taunton State Hospital, originally named the State Lunatic Hospital at Taunton, was designed and built by the Boyden and Ball Architectural Firm in 1854. In the 1700s Massachusetts experienced the American Revolutionary War. Find more DSLR options inour comprehensive guide. After decades of financial success, business began to decline in the mid-20th century, until it abruptly shut down in the 1960s. Without enemy ships, cargo could traverse to other more resource-rich areas for settlement. The last resident Cornelius Black Neil Finson was found freezing to death living in a vacant cellar. This abandoned neighborhood is now a park filled with beautiful trees, wildflowers, and hints of its past. WebMultiple deaths haunt the halls of the Houghton Mansion in North Adams Due to its success, a Nursing School was added in 1891. After the event, Clara's white dress was stained by Lincoln's blood, so upon returning home to this cottage, she had a special closet built for it, then had it sealed up. While there isnt a whole lot left, it provides a unique look at how prisons operated during the turn of the century. By 1812, many farmers had left Dogtown behind. This began to change during the early 1900s as more manufacturing and a new train line were built right outside the building. The facility was completely abandoned, with its structures and equipment left to decay amidst the lush forest. This late-1700s historic manor house was the site of the famed Cherry Hill murder in 1827, in which Elsie Lansing, wife of businessman John Whipple, plotted with her lover drifter Jesse Strang to kill her husband. The building was abandoned but acquired by the Church of Scientology during the 1990s. According to legend, a Native American girl was boating one summer night when she fell to her death over the falls. Soon urbex made this hospital another famous abandoned place in Massachusetts. According to local legend, playwright Peter Bergman had a ghostly encounter while visiting here. The entire building was closed and boarded up in 1989 when it became one of the most famous abandoned places in Massachusetts. Even with this success, the site was forced to close as water drainage from the nearby town was flooding out the area. The bears may be gone, but their old cages can still be found. The fire whistle blew constantly signaling yet another runaway. The College of Saint Rose campus is rumored to have many haunted buildings. For a complete breakdown, please view ourheadlamp buyers guide. This dam in the woods, built by Henry Ford with only manpower and oxen, holds no water and serves no purpose. Elton John is said to have been given a tour of the once-famous concert hall but the less-famous urbex may have to settle for photos online. During its peak, Dogtown had around 80 homes and as many as 100 families. Stone relief on the wall in one of the pens displays a crest of the city of Boston encircled by two large bears and the year 1912. The area grew over time to encompass about five miles and offered good natural protection from pirates and hostile natives. Originally a school for boys of low IQ, it was transformed into a place to warehouse children many of whom had normal IQs but were simply orphaned or poor. The mansion is rumored to be haunted by the spirits of Albert Charles Houghton, the first mayor of North Adams, and his family, who died in a car accident in Vermont in 1914. Ever since the nickname stuck. Luckily, in the state of Massachusetts, the laws are easy to understand and are pretty cut and dry. The station served five different stations: Boylston, Park Street, Scollay Square, Adams Square, and Haymarket. Due to the size and risk associated with exploring Medfield, novice explorers should view from a distance or plan extensively. Even so, the commune failed to generate enough revenue to sustain itself, and the experiment was abandoned in 1847. We recommend wearing boots or other sturdy shoes that can handle the mucky terrain, and a flashlight is also recommended to help you safely navigate the pitch-black space inside the tunnel itself. Some notable patients included serial killer Jane Toppan, a nurse who confessed to killing 31 patients with medication overdoses; she was committed to the hospital for life. Run by a eugenics advocate, this aging institution conducted secret radiation experiments sponsored by Quaker Oats. Living conditions for the children were poor at best, with many mentally deficient children scoring average on IQ tests. While repairs ensued, many of the younger boys were housed in the old mill while the older boys were sent to sea to work on several prison ships. There are many famous abandoned places in Massachusetts to satisfy your curiosity and taste for adventure. The building is sealed shut and now features an alarm system installed by the new owners. Allegedly haunted by the former mistress of the house, Mrs. Brown. As automobiles took the stage and trucking became a more optimal transport option, businesses faded for the rail line.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'urbexunderground_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_7',165,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-urbexunderground_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); By 1930 the railroad had lost a majority of its traffic. My first stop was the Bellows Pipe Trail on Mount Greylock, known to be haunted by a ghost called the Old Coot. This unfortunate soul went by the name of Although long neglected, the still-standing stone bear dens bear witness to the once-grand attraction. Which was changed to the Massachusetts School for the Feeble-Minded, later to become the Fernald State School. These remaining structures provided a perfect urbex experience and the historical hospital became well known as a famous abandoned site in Massachusetts. Established in 1922, the Belchertown State School for the Feeble-Minded was known for its inhumane treatment of patients, lack of funding, and brutal practices. Originally built in 1888 the site was called the Experimental School for Teaching and Training Idiotic Children. One of the many apparitions seen here is a person in a black hooded robe, and phantom smoke sometimes fills the halls. The owners deemed the cost of upgrading to code would be too costly. Dogtown Square is one of the more unique abandoned places in Massachusetts. Considered both an architectural masterpiece and a therapeutic environment for the insane, the firm went on to build similar hospitals throughout the state of Massachusetts over the next dozen years. When this is the case, its important to have a good-quality backpack. Like many things built in the good old days, the dam wasnt destined to last long. In addition to the farm, the prison camp contained cell blocks, staff housing, and a tuberculosis hospital. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. After At the Capitol building, some say ghosts walk at night. Sadly, the theatre was closed in 1979 when the owner failed to pay back taxes. Many of the boys sent to the school had committed severe crimes but some were merely guilty of truancy, poverty, or stubbornness. Despite housing some violent criminals, the institution had no gates or locked doors and resembled an open campus prep school. People have reported full body apparitions, cold spots, slamming doors and some claim that the ghost has actually appeared and spoken to them. Posted with No Trespassing signs and monitored by police and video cameras, they sadly do not want any future internet fame. Cottage was a misnomer really as the boys were housed in large brick dormitories originally built for 30 students, but ended up holding as many as 100 boys. portalId: "5317100", With the country much safer from conflict, many people took to the waters and other open areas to find fish, minerals, and other natural resources. The 650-acre farm kept the hospital stocked with fresh food. L Laura S North Adams, MA & Dogtown settlement was a small area first settled in 1696. Staff was underpaid and overworked which led to abuse and other extreme practices. Several old buildings and bunkers, as well as sections of the railroad tracks, remain visible from the parks hiking trails. Steeped in history and richly abundant in historical sites, todays urban explorers seek out new adventures in this old land. Architects Winslow & Wetherell designed the six-story limestone and brick Beaux-Arts style building with elaborate ornamentation and copper cornices. Subsequent residents have been awakened late at night to footsteps and voices on the stairs that lead up to the room. The 110-acre site contained administration buildings, family and bachelor living quarters, a chapel, and a bowling alley. The settlement eventually swelled to 120 members and included a regionally-lauded school that eventually became the communitys primary source of income. The rumor mill says the building is haunted by a former employee, a gymnastics coach, who committed suicide. If you are one of the many who seeks adventure, exploring abandoned places and historical landmarks, continue reading to discover our top 15 best abandoned places in Massachusetts. Business at the hotel remained steady into the early 20th century, when an elevated train line opened adjacent to the property, rendering it far less desirable to potential residents. Passing through a hill on the northeast side of the reservoir, the tunnel opened to rail traffic in June 1903 as part of a 105-mile route for the Central Massachusetts Railroad, which connected the cities of Boston and Northampton. If youre of the ghost hunting set, youll want to head to the Houghton Mansion in North Adams. The boys also worked the farm, cooled the food, and repaired and maintained the buildings, all skills intended to be used upon their release at age 21. The standard of education was poor and the boys were stuffed into over-capacity dormitories. Sometimes claw marks are left behind. Left to decay with rot and neglect, the site is an interesting area for exploration. High atop a cliff in Cape Cod, overlooking one of the most dangerous maritime shipping routes, is the North Truro Air Force Station. The farm produced so much milk the surplus was sold to the general public. The former home of Albert Charles Houghton and his family, the Houghton Mansion is now being used as a Masonic temple. Just 24 years and $21 million later, the tunnel was complete. The massive Ventfort Hall mansion is rumored to have a few ghosts under its roof, and witnesses say sometimes the spooks even touch people. Though still boarded up and inaccessible, pictures have surfaced on the internet of the buildings and their interiors. Designed by architect George Dutton Rand of Weston & Rand, the brick and flagstone building stood 4 stories tall with a Gothic clock tower dominating the center. Some of the buildings at Sage College in Albany were once a part of the Albany Home for Children; rumor has it that shallow graves were found during some campus construction. Today the property is owned by the National Park Service. 2023 Atlas Obscura. Ultimately, the base was closed in 1994, along with many of the older radar bases at the end of the Cold War. Outside of special events, the property remains abandoned. Looking like a place frozen in time, maybe North Truro Air Force Station will be featured in some future post-apocalyptic thriller. A spooky and decrepit mental health facility is slowly being replaced with newer digs. The legend told about this building involves the mysterious disappearance of an Italian worker during its construction. You may see spirits of a Civil War soldier in the upstairs hall or a former innkeeper in the tavern. Due to the danger of live tracks, we recommend avoiding this location, or at the very least exercising extreme caution. Due to substantially inadequate state funding, what was begun as an ambitious effort to help the mentally ill with real treatments, evolved into the warehousing of human beings. The wingtips were where the most violent, hopelessly incurable patients were housed with the least violent towards the center tower. The original depot was the primary supplier of ammunition to the U.S. Atlantic Fleet during World War II, with more than 2,000 civilian employees as well as more than 700 naval officers and 375 Marine guards working on-site. Inside, the continuous sound of dripping water echoes off the curved walls to pierce the silence. Allegedly haunted by the ghosts of former occupants, possibly a woman who died there in childbirth and another female ghost that is occasionally seen in the dining room. When the Bear Dens were featured in the 2003 Sean Penn film, Mystic River, the dens received national attention. The road runs through the cemetery, with part of it lying on either sode. Original stone buildings, abandoned and crumbling, are now decorated with colorful graffiti. Plunkett Memorial Hospital, aka the Old Asylum.
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