Medfield State Hospital . 5. 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. According to local legend, playwright Peter Bergman had a ghostly encounter while visiting here. Looking for more unique sites in Massachusetts? Massachusetts native. After fundraising, the organization is working on plans to restore the theater, although its progress is unknown. We rate ghost towns in Pennsylvania based on their status. One of the 13 original colonies, Massachusetts, technically a commonwealth, is known for the landing of the Mayflower and the Pilgrims. Freelance writer and strawberry eater. A product of contemplation; a thought. The tunnel was built in the early 1900s as a part of a four-mile track extension from West Berlin. Of all the abandoned places in Massachusetts, the Belchertown State School has the darkest and most tragic history. The 12 Most Insane Abandoned Places in Massachusetts - Thrillist These towns include Becket, Blandford, Chester, Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, Granville, Hawley, Huntington, Middlefield, Montgomery, Otis, Plainfield, Russell, Westhampton, Williamsburg, Windsor, and Worthington. I probably won't be elegant and I don't know what "aphorisms" means but I do have a lot to say after 64 years. Historic seaside park featuring explorable, abandoned military structures. Too much agriculture focus ensued and the state came to the conclusion in 1945 that there was little or no occupational therapy in action. The depot was purchased by the Boston and Maine Railroad in 1900. By 1930 the railroad had lost a majority of its traffic. Legend has it that a bomb blew up here, and the victims are still in the building. During its peak, Dogtown had around 80 homes and as many as 100 families. It had a sinister past with numerous accounts of people being scared off by something diabolical. The fort is completely open for visitors to walk through. Gold Panning and Prospecting in Massachusetts - Gold Rush Nuggets We and our partners share information on your use of this website to help improve your experience. In 2007, a Friend of mine moved from Easthampton to Westfield suddenly. The thrill of discovering something that has been lost to time can be an exciting and rewarding experience. The patients, mostly children, were experimented on without their consent. Please note: some of these places are off-limits to the public. The building is sealed shut and now features an alarm system installed by the new owners. Rutland Prison Camp was constructed in 1903 to rehabilitate criminals with minor offenses. We got you! The views and amenities drew in travelers far and wide. There is a old locked bank vault in this building with no way to open it and impossibly it has been found standing open. From old factories to ghost towns, the thrill of walking through the ruins of long ago is something that is hard to put into words. The commission believed that the buildings history was important and should be preserved. He reportedly committed suicide after getting in a car accident that claimed the lives of Mrs. Houghton and their only daughter. The cars have been a mystery for many years considering they are literally sitting right in the forest among the trees. A good portion of the property is on the National Register of Historic Places. Milk produced at the prison was consumed on-premises and also sold throughout the region. Massachusetts has a very dark history and with that comes a lot of creepy places. Witnesses say the elevator works by . The facility would quickly grow to include over 72 buildings across nearly 200 acres of land. They haven't done anything with it, so it continues to decay. 1978: Two parking structures, the North and West Garages, are built. In the Spring of 2012, Austin and I researched haunted graveyards in Western Massachusetts and came across "Pine Hill Cemetery," in Westfield. The inspiration for H.P. One resident, Thomazine Tammy Younger was dubbed the Queen of Witches since she intimated anyone who passed through the area.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'urbexunderground_com-leader-3','ezslot_13',183,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-urbexunderground_com-leader-3-0'); By 1828 the village was abandoned. Its definitely a unique spot and is even more captivating in the fall months.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'urbexunderground_com-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_17',186,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-urbexunderground_com-mobile-leaderboard-2-0'); The Eyrie House Ruins are all that remains of an old hotel that first opened in 1861. These boulders were etched with inspirational sayings by contracted stonemasons. Hingham Naval Ammunition Depot Annex - Hingham. secret theater buried beneath the streets of Boston, hike an abandoned town and explore a castle. He dismantled it and transferred it to a hundred-acre plot of property in North Truro, Massachusetts, which he purchased from Mort Small. The buildings now sit silent as a grim reminder of how we treated those different from us, and how some preyed on the vulnerable for the greater good. The quarry operated until the 1960s before shutting down. If youre looking to dive deeper into the world of urban exploration, this book is for you. A haunted location: Westfield State College in Westfield, Massachusetts. Built in 1994, this place operated during the Cold War to scan the airwaves around Cape Cod to detect Soviet bombers. At the time it was the second-longest tunnel in the world, but there were many gruesome deaths and accidents associated with its construction. Staff was underpaid and overworked which led to abuse and other extreme practices. http://ow.ly/MzEh30lt5w5. The site was featured on an episode of TV's Ghost Hunters. In 2015 new owners announced they would like to rehab the theater but little progress has been made. Yesterday I did a taping for the NBC Today Show in this fascinating, forgotten concert hall, Steinert Hall in Boston. Steinert Hall was a literal underground venue underneath a piano store, but changing fire codes forced the owners to decide between upgrades and shutting down. It has been furnished with memorabilia and antiques, and some say the ghost of Jonathan Pasco himself still calls the place home. It's not certain. When they were done using a car, they would leave it right in the woods READ MORE, Address: 299 Intervale Road Town: RutlandLocation directions: HERE, The abandoned Rutland State Prison in Rutland, Massachusetts was once a bustling center of criminal justice and punishment. 18 of the scariest and coolest abandoned places in Massachusetts - masslive OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. The tunnel, viaduct, and new track were officially opened in June 1903 READ MORE, Address: Farina Road Town: HullLocation directions: HERE, Fort Revere is an amazing abandoned fort in Hull, Massachusetts. A funeral pyre for his horses spread out of control, however, put an end to that dream in 1901. Site of a famous 19th-century transcendentalist utopian community, now abandoned. Expect steep cliffside and high fences that surround the base. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. These cramped conditions led to sexual and physical abuse amongst the children and their caretakers.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'urbexunderground_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_11',611,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-urbexunderground_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); Between 1946 and 1953 Harvard University and MIT conducted secrets experiments on the children for nuclear medicine research. It housed minor offenders, who were put to work on the farms. What are a couple more abandoned places found in Massachusetts? Witnesses claim to have seen mutilated apparitions and heard screams of the patients who passed away there long ago. Due to the size and risk associated with exploring Medfield, novice explorers should view from a distance or plan extensively. Budget constraints caused it to close on July 1, 2002. Haunted Places in Westfield, Indiana Allan and Don grew up on Stirrup Brook Farm in Northborough which was a dairy, corn, and hay farm. Shawfieldmont was even the name he had in mind for his future mansion. The South End jewel fell on hard times and was eventually purchased by the Church of Scientology in 2008. Bancroft sold his castle to Dr. Harold Ayers, who turned it into a sanatorium. It was then lived in on and off until the early 2000s at which point it was it was abandoned. Sadly, Bancroft ran out of money just after the tower and cottage were completed. The Massachusetts Department of Correction had control over the facility. Rutland Prison Camp supplied enough food to supply the prison as well as the nearby town of Worcester. The Rutland Prison Camps were build in the early 1900s. That said, there are many theories about the tower READ MORE, Address: 29 Old Dewline Road Town: North TruroLocation directions: HERE, The tower, which resembles a castles battlement, was originally part of the Fitchburg Railroad depot in Boston. The paper mill essentially created its own neighborhood for its workers to live and work. This 1780 building, which now houses Abigail's, was formerly the Pettibone Tavern for almost 200 years. Heres how our system works: Abandoned: Is abandoned with ruins and structures in a, Read More 13 Ghost Towns In Kansas [MAP]Continue, Looking to explore some abandoned places in Indiana? Parents would comment that the school was barbaric, horrific, and medieval. Manuela Beltrn Is a Colombian Hero. In 1917 the factory had over 45,000 spindles and 1,640 looms. The Plunkett Hill Condominiums was once the 1918 W.B. Ponyhenge is by far one of the strangest abandoned places in Massachusetts. All rights reserved (About Us). By the time the smoke cleared, only the cellars and stone foundations were left standing. Exploring abandoned locations in Massachusetts is a truly unique and special experience. Flickr/Zach. Lovecraft's horror stories and Batman's Arkham Asylum is now a condominium complex. 37 Westfield Old Photos ideas - Pinterest Creepy or cool? Some of the sites are creepy and others are just cool to get out and see. The Franklin Park Zoo Bear Cages, Boston. During its peak, the hospital could hold 2,200 residents. We had always been into Abandoned and Forgotten locations, as we both possessed an interest in photography which . In total, 57 boys were experimented on. Ever since the nickname stuck. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. Massachusetts is full of secrets, and exploring its abandoned locations is a great way to uncover them. The subway was built to alleviate automobile congestion above ground. Westfield Homeless Cat ProjectPet Shelter in Westfield MA Such cool spots! When the Fort Devens Sudbury Training Annex Superfund site was established in 1942, the bunkers were constructed. He was relocated and the town was razed in 1845. The Hidden Hills of Western Massachusetts refers to the Southern Berkshire Hill Towns, specifically the towns which do not have an exit from the Massachusetts Turnpike.. This institution was known for awful treatment of patients and was hit with numerous lawsuits. It was decommissioned in 1994 at the end of the war. The Church of Scientology bought it in 2008, but plans to turn it into a headquarters fell through, and they put it up for sale in 2014. Chesterfield Gorge is a dramatic rock canyon, forming the entrance to an extensive natural recreation area along the Westfield River, a popular spot for catch-and-release fly fishing. This restaurant, housed in a building that dates back to the 1880s, was said to be haunted by a former owner who died inside the building. Dorchester North Burying Ground, 585 Columbia Road, Boston: 1633. However, almost everything inside the theater has remained intact. The Plymouth colony was Gary Post Office 41.599859, -87.335476 As the name suggests this massive building was originally built in 1936 to serve as the local post office. Bunker 303, Bunker 309, and several others were used to store live ammunition READ MORE, Address: 338 Main Street Town: LancasterLocation directions: HERE, Atlantic Union College (AUC) was established in 1882 as a Seventh-day Adventist institution. The area grew over time to encompass about five miles and offered good natural protection from pirates and hostile natives. Please obey all trespassing laws and be respectful of others property. January 22, 2017. Old North Burial Ground, 126 Norton Street, Weymouth: circa 1636. Becket Land Trust Historic Quarry and Forest. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. It is situated onat the top ofTelegraph Hillin Hull Village and contains the remains of two seacoast fortifications, one from theAmerican Revolutionand one that served 18981947. Abandoned Places In Nebraska 1. For our last suggestion, you can hike to an abandoned military structure. Heres how our system works: Abandoned: Is abandoned with ruins, Read More 12 Ghost Towns In Pennsylvania [MAP]Continue, 2023 Urbex Underground - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP. 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. As always be safe, leave just footsteps, and have fun! Granary Burying Ground, Boston. As of writing, the armory is on the market for sale READ MORE, Address: Patriot Parkway Town: South WeymouthLocation directions: HERE, The abandoned Naval Air Station South Weymouth has become one of the most famous urban exploration spots in Massachusetts. city view commons, westfield, ma | structura non grata Inside was in rough shape. Even before the mill was constructed the area had been used for industry dating all the way back to 1670. The camp was similar to many prison farmers during the turn of the century, which worked inmates across 150 acres of land. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. At the Zecco Performing Arts Center, according to resports, two seats are kept open at each performance for ghostly visitors. Witnesses say it is haunted by this tragic past, citing A night custodian here has witnessed apparitions on the stairs, cold spots, and books that slide in and out of shelves on their own. Details: Davis Hall - There was said that a kid hung himself over Easter break a few years back. Abandoned Places In Indiana 1. Prisoners at Rutland were often minor offenders convicted of things like being a drunkard or petty thief. South Ends Hotel Alexandra site could be reborn as boutique inn. White Ninja: Abandoned Westfield Suburbia. The theater hasnt been used since its closure 1942. By 1812, many farmers had left Dogtown behind. Regis College's haunted College Hall, built in the late 1920s, is rumored to have several ghosts in residence, including a roaming cold spot. Were not sure why the quarry shut down. The completed reservoir would cut off a section of the Central Massachusetts Railroad which was chartered in 1869. 2023 Atlas Obscura. Offer subject to change without notice. The bears may be gone, but their old cages can still be found. The Westfield Homeless Cat Project is a non- profit 501 (c)3 cat rescue completely staffed by volunteers and based in Westfield, MA. Disney Haunted Mansion Volume One Slave Labor Graphics | eBay The college was basically bankrupt, according to an auditors assessment, and owed at least $3 million at the time. Please allow a few minutes for this process to complete. Witnesses also describe hearing voices, feeling someone touch them, and nding objects moved during the night. You may see spirits of a Civil War soldier in the upstairs hall or a former innkeeper in the tavern. Visitors are permitted to explore the old cars, trucks, and other relics that dot the forest. A ghost named Elizabeth likes to throw things, slam doors, and stomp in the halls. See. Buying land in Westfield. Ownership was transferred to the Massachusetts International Festival of the Arts in 2009. Several arson attempts were made causing minor damage to the building. You will receive your first email soon. An old theater legend involves a 1930s actress who was accidentally shot in the balcony. It is amazing exploring the old hallways and rooms in Fort Reverse. In this article well explore how Thurmond became a ghost town, and see exactly whats left to explore today. In 1911, though, 'poor mining practices' led to a collapse of the mine, thankfully non-fatal. Why this place exists is a mystery remains a mystery even to locals. Plunkett Memorial Hospital, aka the Old Asylum. your own Pins on Pinterest Next, head on over to the coast and hike an abandoned town and explore a castle. Blood and stool samples were taken after exposure with no content given by the children or their parents. The place was once featured on an episode of TV's Ghost Hunters. Mrs. Abigail Pettibone is said to haunt the establishment. If you hunt for abandoned places in Massachuttes, youve undoubtedly heard of North Truro Air Force Station. The last resident Cornelius Black Neil Finson was found freezing to death living in a vacant cellar. 42.20721, -71.33128. Originally built in 1888 the site was called the Experimental School for Teaching and Training Idiotic Children. Westfield, MA. | Old trains, Abandoned places, Train rides - Pinterest Youre in the right place. Though abandoned, there's still some equipment left there. The Hidden Hills! - Hidden Hills of Western Massachusetts Farming, canning, and general maintenance became the institutions chief vocations as the agricultural focus grew and other treatment modalities deteriorated READ MORE, Address: Centech Boulevard Town: GraftonLocation directions: HERE, The Grafton State Hospital Tower is an abandoned structure located in Grafton, Massachusetts. The basement appears to be where a lot of the activity occurs. Gary used, Read More 21+ Abandoned Places In Indiana [MAP]Continue, Looking to explore Thurmond West Virginia? The first subway line in the country, this tunnel no longer services trains, but the city is considering allowing more tours. Once in a while this random gathering of pony toys at this Lincoln pasture will get a new one in the collection, or the ponies will be rearranged. Now abandoned and graffiti-covered, this railroad tunnel was once the longest in Massachusetts. The station served five different stations: Boylston, Park Street, Scollay Square, Adams Square, and Haymarket. The one featured at this location has recently been purchased and is now considered private property. Find out Pros and Cons of Living, mortgages, taxes, renting and housing, real estate, goods & services, groceries, health care, Housing, transportation, utilities in Westfield. This quarry was operational from the 1860's to the 1960's. Many find it odd that so many things were left behind as if the workers simply dropped their tools and walked away. The building is said to be haunted and was featured A former governor's spirit is said to haunt the State Capitol building. Henry M. Aldrich, a lawyer, worked with the railroad corporation to acquire the tower. The Clinton Tunnel is a well-known spot by locals, and is a popular place for kids to tag. Dogtown settlement was a small area first settled in 1696. Its not everyday something like this ends up on our list. The apparition of a tall, thin older man has been reported, and At this 1737 historic inn, Room 4 is said to be haunted. In summertime, park visitors have heard them laughing and splashing and seen the water move, although no one is visible. Today, the property is on the market and nearly all the windows are boarded shut. Administrative separation from Worcester took place in 1912.The Grafton site was created to expand the Worcester hospitals capacity as well as to give patients access to therapeutic activities. Once the largest public hospital for the mentally ill was also surrounded by controversy. Becket Quarry is free and open to the public, making it one of the more interesting free abandoned places in Massachusetts to visit. The Mark Twain House & Museum was the home of the Clemens family, including author Samuel Clemens (aka Mark Twain). "an elegant tapestry of quotations, musings, aphorisms, and autobiographical reflections" (James Atlas). You can pack a picnic and enjoy the view, or keep exploring the rest of the forest landscape. It was used to storeammunition during World War II as well as experimental nuclear depth charges during the Korean War. It was built in 1923 as a Sheraton Hotel and had been renamed the Shelton; the university bought in in 1954. Be sure to do extra research before visiting any of these spots to determine whether or not you can explore them. In 1994, Strathmore closed down the mill and it was put up for sale READ MORE, Address: 60 Plum Island Turnpike Town: NewburyLocation directions: HERE, The Pink House is a local gem and landmark that attracts locals, visitors, and tourists alike by bringing remarkable beauty, history, and culture to Plum Island. Its a strange sight to see but is open to the public. This nearly 5-mile-long tunnel was dug out of the mountains of western Massachusetts between 1851 and 1875. This spooky-looking state hospital opened in 1930, and it bears a particularly macabre nickname - the Hospital of the Seven Teeth. 42.27711, -72.41463Photo Credit: Jonathan Haeber flickr.com. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Take a look at these abandoned spots across the state with incredible histories. There is a 1953 Oldsmobile 88 two-door coupe, a 1941 Buick, a truck, and at least three others. In the early 20s, silent films and live musical performances took place inside the Victory Theatre. It finally closed down in 1992 and has been closed off. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts acquired roughly 700 acres (280 ha) of land in northeast Grafton and bordering areas of Shrewsbury to build the new hospital. Theres a secret theater buried beneath the streets of Boston, and almost no one knows it exists. When he came home Cedarcrest Hospital was demolished in 2013; the map shows where it was located. Today, the school is closed and decaying, but its dark legacy lives on. Haunted Places in Dedham, Massachusetts I hadn't seen her in a few months and when we got back in touch, she told me some local legends from her new town. Even with this success, the site was forced to close as water drainage from the nearby town was flooding out the area. The North Truro Air Force Station was a radar station to listen for Soviet bombers during the Cold War. The historic Sessions House dorm at Smith College campus was originally built in 1710 with a secret passageway inside which the owners could hide from attacking Native Americans. Due to hazardous chemicals, parts of this abandoned neighborhood have been left untouched since the Cold War. Zionsville, Indiana. The original name when it was established in 1922 was the Belchertown State School for the Feeble-Minded, and and certain times in its history it was known for poor treatment of its charges. Voices can be heard after sun set, and there have even been a few deaths within Holy Land. The tower took more than two months to complete and required the work of five men. Patients were often left strapped to stretchers for days, and vermin were reported to crawl all over residents while they sat or ate. The Strathmore Paper Mill was established in 1913 on the east side of the Westfield River. It would have been because the newly discovered Portland Cement was cheaper to use, or that the quarry simply ran out of resources. Musing [Dictionary.com]:Contemplation; meditation. Many of the prisoners were put to work raising livestock and farm fruits and vegetables. Instead of following the classic Kirkbride layout, architects designed the buildings in the New Cottage style. Built in 1875, this hotel catered to the wealthy, but it just didn't hold up. The Hartford Conservatory is rumored to be haunted. Maybe both. Much of the campus still stands with only three buildings being demolished. 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