Costs Mount As State Decides The Future Of Seaside Park In Waterford
(Published October 11, 2015 in the Hartford Courant)
–We take no credit for the story or the picture posted above. All credit goes to The Hartford Courant–
Posts Tagged ‘urbex’
Knightfall – The Haunting Legend of the Mansfield Training School
Posted: October 1, 2015 by kingleser in #postaday, Abandoned, Abandoned Attractions, Abandoned Business, Abandoned Connecticut, abandoned home, Abandoned Hospital, abandoned new england, Abandoned Sanatorium, Abandoned USA, Abandoned Wonders, Broken, Children, Children's Hospital, Closed, Connecticut, darkness, Death, Destruction, empty, Exploration, exploring the abandoned, Forgotten, forgotten beauty, forgotten home, Ghosts, Graveyard, Haunting, Hiking, History, Information, left behind, lost, Mansfield, Mansfield Training School, Movies, Mystery, nature, new england, nightmares, overgrown, photography, research, Ruins, Safety First, Searching, Stories, Storrs, UCONN, Uncategorized, Urban Decay, Urban Exploration, Urban Exploring, Urbex, writingTags: #postaday, 1800s, abandoned, abandoned buildings, Abandoned Connecticut, abandoned hospital, Abandoned New England, Abandoned Places, Abandoned Sanatorium, Abandoned USA, abandoned wonders, Architecture, be prepared, beauty, boarded up, broken, Connecticut, CT, darkness, decay, exploration, exploring, forgotten, Ghost Hunting, Ghosts, Greek, haunting, hiking, history, Hospital, Huskies, Knight Hospital, Knightfall, left behind, Legend, Nature, Overgrown, Paranormal Witness, photography, Syfy, Tunnels, UCONN, urban exploration, urbex, urbex photography, vandalism, writing
Knightfall
The Haunting Legend of the Mansfield Training School
Written by: Sean L.
Photos by: Amanda H.
UConn, home of the Huskies. Their athletic program has won 21 NCAA championships, most notably for basketball. They have the largest public research collection in the state, housed in one of the largest libraries in New England. There are over twenty five thousand students enrolled in its programs, and close to ten thousand employees alongside them. It is UConn, home of Connecticut pride. But is the University of Connecticut haunted? A place such as this cannot become one of the oldest universities in the country without having a few secrets. In a forgotten corner of the darkest side of campus, there lies a quiet pocket where the shadows run wild. In its heyday, it was known as the Mansfield Training School and Hospital. Though it is officially listed in the National Register of Historic Place, this former institution is now nothing but a tomb. Concealed deep within its walls lurks the pain and suffering of its dark past. 
The facility was created following the merger of the institutions in both Lakeville and Mansfield, Connecticut during 1917. It was christened the Mansfield Training School and Hospital, a facility for the care of the intellectually disabled. They started off with a relatively small number of patients. Major events in history such as the Great Depression and World War II caused the population of patients to grow and become overcrowded. But during the sixties and seventies, regulations began to change, resulting in more staff and caregivers being provided. Some years later, patients began to be moved from the hospital to on-site cottages and group homes. Regrettably, while there were many stories of good and fair treatment of the patients, there were also several tragic ones. Under a pile of lawsuits, the facility was forced to close its doors in 1993. The property was then split amongst the University of Connecticut and the neighboring Bergin Correctional Institute.
What remains of the Mansfield Training School and Hospital can be found on UConn’s lesser known Depot Campus, at the crossroads of CT Route 32 and US Route 44 in Storrs, Connecticut. Compared to the main campus, it is strangely quiet on this side of town. The neighboring Bergin Correctional Institute has lain dormant since its closing several years ago. There are multiple buildings still standing on the old grounds. A few were demolished after the sale, but most still stand. There is an old tunnel system that runs between the buildings that were used to shuttle patients around during inclement weather. However most of these tunnels have been filled in or blocked off. Almost all of the buildings have had their doors and windows welded shut. Others even have their roofs completely caved in. And from the looks of things, this place has had a pretty serious vandal problem for some time.
Standing as the face of Mansfield Training School is the Knight Hospital. With its classical Greek and Victorian architecture, it is undoubtedly the most picturesque building on site. But it is sadly a shadow of its former self. While it served as the main building when the grounds were in operation, it is now in deplorable shape. The engraved name above the doorway and the tall stone pillars supporting it have all but succumbed to the wild vegetation growing around them. Windows on all floors have been smashed. Trash and graffiti lie strewn about the floor. And even a family of squirrels appears to have made their home inside this abandoned facility. However, it is absolutely remarkable how much stuff seemed to have been left behind when the facility closed twenty years ago. Old patient files, hospital equipment, and other office supplies can still be found littered across the halls. We even found a ghostly old statue staring back at us in the basement of one of the buildings.
There were allegedly several deaths at the facility while it was in operation; however we have been unable to find any evidence to support or disprove this claim. Stories such as this have given Mansfield Training School a reputation of being haunted. The show Paranormal Witness did an investigation on the grounds back in 2011, bringing about mixed results. It has since become a major hotspot for amateur ghost hunters and thrill seekers. Haunted or not, the facility is most definitely haunting. The echoes of the past still linger amongst the now abandoned halls. There is definitely a presence to be felt here. Though its patients are long gone, something still lurks within these walls. Something just doesn’t feel right when walking along the old grounds. It is near deathly silent, which is hard to believe on a campus of thousands. So, is the University of Connecticut haunted? We don’t know. I guess the better question you should be asking yourself is…do you believe in ghosts?
The Crumbling Kingdom — The Abandoned Seaside Sanatorium
Posted: September 3, 2015 by Hidden Wonders Photography in #postaday, Abandoned, Abandoned Attractions, Abandoned Business, Abandoned Connecticut, Abandoned Hospital, abandoned new england, Abandoned Sanatorium, Abandoned USA, Abandoned Wonders, Beaches, Bird Watching, Birds, Broken, Children, Children's Hospital, Closed, Connecticut, darkness, Death, Destruction, empty, Exploration, exploring the abandoned, Forgotten, forgotten beauty, Ghosts, Graveyard, Haunting, Hiking, History, Homeless, Information, left behind, lost, Mystery, nature, new england, nightmares, Ocean, Ocean View, overgrown, photography, Public Parks, research, Ruins, Safety First, Searching, seaside, Seaside Sanatorium, State Parks, Stories, Urban Decay, Urban Exploration, Urban Exploring, Urbex, Waterford, writingTags: #postaday, abandoned, abandoned buildings, abandoned business, Abandoned Connecticut, Abandoned Home, abandoned hospital, Abandoned New England, Abandoned Place, Abandoned Places, Abandoned Sanatorium, Abandoned USA, abandoned wonders, Atlantic Ocean, be prepared, beauty, Birds, boarded up, broken, Cass Gilbert, Chess, Children's Hospital, Connecticut, CT, danger, darkness, decay, empty, exploration, exploring, forgotten, Graffiti, haunting, hauntingly beautiful, hiking, history, Hospital, left behind, Mistreatment, mystery, Nature, New England, No Trespassing, Nurse, Ocean, Osprey, Overgrown, photography, Ruins, Safety First, Seaside, Seaside Sanatorium, urban exploration, urban explorer, urban exporing, urbex, urbex photography, vandalism, Waterford, writing
The Crumbling Kingdom
The Abandoned Seaside Sanatorium
Written by: Wilk
Photographs by: Lassie
A relic from the old world sits alone on the picturesque shores of New England’s Long Island Sound. The steady waves of the ocean lap up against the sandy shores, but she doesn’t move a muscle. Armies of birds of all shapes and sizes roost amongst her crumbling rafters, but she doesn’t seem to mind. Small crowds of beachgoers flock by to enjoy their holidays, but they pay this beautiful disaster no attention. This is Seaside Sanatorium, and though she doesn’t look it, she was once considered one of the finest hospitals in the state. But that time has passed. We visit this abandoned facility every year, and each year this once shining star seems a little less bright. It is sad to say that the State of Connecticut has apparently ceased its protection of this old facility, leaving it ripe for rampant and senseless destruction from local vandals.
The main buildings on the grounds were designed by the world renowned architect Cass Gilbert in the early twentieth century. He was the same man responsible for masterminding the famous US Supreme Court building in Washington DC and New Haven’s Union Station. The facility was opened during the early 1930’s, seeing a long and colorful history that lasted until 1996. Over the years it has served as a children’s hospital, a treatment center for the elderly, and a facility for the intellectually disabled. Its beautiful setting along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean were said to provide a very peaceful atmosphere for its residents. Sadly though, the facility was allegedly home to several incidents of violent treatment of patients in the early 1990’s which would ultimately cause the demise of Seaside. It now sits abandoned, though it can be legally walked as a recreation area.
While the Main Hospital is the main attraction, its supporting act is the Nurse’s Building. Though it is not as ornate or extravagant as the Main Hospital, the Nurse’s Building is just as hauntingly beautiful. Windows have been boarded up. Wild vines coat the outer walls. The stairs from the old fire escape have been removed. A doorway that had been busted open by vandals has been crudely barricaded with mounds of dirt and tree branches. A small squirrel keeps watch from the upper rafters. But most noticeable of all, a family of Osprey has taken up residence on the buildings chimney. Perennial occupants, these massive birds of prey hold a strong presence over the entire grounds. Small birds hide when they fly by. The fearsome screeches of their feasting young echoes from their nest. And the massive adults keep close watch on anyone who passes by what has become their empire.
Of all the abandoned hospitals we have visited in our time, the main hospital of Seaside is the most breathtaking. Two broken lighthouses stand at its corners. A towering spire forms the center of the facility. Five brink floors stand tall before the Atlantic Ocean. The old ruins of the building’s parking lot lie in the back. The pavement still cracked with age. What is left of a playground stands at the front, defiantly facing the sea. An old slide slowly rusts into oblivion. A child’s merry go-round has become overrun with wild vines. Windows have been shattered. Walls have been defiled with graffiti. Inside, the shocking white paint hangs from the walls like sleeping albino bats. A few old pieces of furniture stands guard over any trespassers. And an earie silence fills the halls that were once full of patients and doctors alike. It is both comforting and terrifying.
The grounds still have an echo of their old past. A few dead power lines hang from rotting poles. A ghostly chessboard slowly disappears into the wild grass. A rusted fire hydrant still keeps watch over the facility. On our last visit, a round the clock security force was in place around the abandoned buildings. Today, there was no security to be found. And according to the locals, they’ve been gone for some time. The grounds have noticeably suffered since our last visit. When the cat’s away, the mice will play. And what terrible games they have been up to inside this poor facility. We encountered several destructive vandals on our trip, and had to frighten them out of the building on our own. These are the people that give what we do a bad name, and these are the people that cause the steady destruction of abandoned wonders like Seaside Sanatorium. She was once a proud and dignified medical facility. Now, she is nothing more than a crumbling kingdom.
Darkest Wild – Abandoned by Disney Part 1
Posted: July 23, 2015 by kingleser in #postaday, Abandoned, Abandoned Resort, Abandoned USA, Abandoned Wonders, Discovery Island, Disney, Urban ExplorationTags: abandoned, abandoned buildings, decay, Disney, Nature, Orlando, Tourism, urban exploration, urbex, Wild
If you could visit one abandoned place anywhere in the world this summer, what would it be? For us, it would be Disney’s abandoned Discovery Island.
First opened to the public in 1974, Discovery Island is located in the heart of Walt Disney World. During its heyday, the island offered visitors a chance to see and interact with all kinds of exotic animals. The island was a hit for over twenty years, until it was mysteriously closed in 1999. To this day, nobody really knows for sure why. One theory states that it was closed due to the discovery of hazardous bacteria inhabiting the waters around the island. Another theory suggests that the park was closed down because of an ongoing investigation into the improper care of the animals that were housed there. And even others believe that the island was shut down because of the recent opening of Disney’s new Animal Kingdom park. After its closing, many of the animals were moved to other parks or allegedly left to roam free on the deserted island. Today, it is completely abandoned and heavily guarded by Disney. It leaves us all to wonder just what happened here, and what has become of the island since man’s departure.
Read about another explorer’s journey here – http://shaneperez.blogspot.hu/2009/12/discovery-island.html
Forgotten Fantasy — The Abandoned Little People’s Village
Posted: July 8, 2015 by Hidden Wonders Photography in #postaday, Abandoned, Abandoned Attractions, Abandoned Business, Abandoned Connecticut, Abandoned Farm, abandoned home, Abandoned House, abandoned new england, Abandoned USA, Abandoned Wonders, Broken, Closed, Connecticut, darkness, Death, Destruction, dreams, Exploration, exploring the abandoned, fantasy, Forgotten, forgotten beauty, forgotten home, Ghosts, Graveyard, Haunting, Hiking, History, Homeless, House, Information, left behind, Little People's Village, lost, Magic, Middlebury, Mystery, nature, new england, nightmares, overgrown, photography, research, Ruins, Safety First, Searching, Stories, time, Urban Decay, Urban Exploration, Urban Exploring, Urbex, writingTags: #postaday, 1900s, abandoned, Abandoned Attraction, abandoned buildings, Abandoned Connecticut, Abandoned Home, Abandoned House, Abandoned New England, Abandoned Places, Abandoned USA, abandoned wonders, amusement park, be prepared, beauty, broken, collapse, Connecticut, CT, decay, deer, empty, exploration, exploring, Fairies, Fairy Tale, forest, forgotten, haunting, Hidden, hiking, hiking trails, history, left behind, Legend, Little People's Village, Middlebury, Middlebury CT, mystery, Nature, New England, Overgrown, photography, Quassy, Roadside Attraction, Ruins, searching, Spirits, Trolley, urban exploration, urban explorer, urban exporing, Urban Legend, urbex, urbex photography, vandalism, Waterbury, Western Connecticut, wilderness, writing
Forgotten Fantasy
The Abandoned Little People’s Village
Written by: Wilk
Photographs by: Lassie
A small kingdom lies in ruin on the forest floor. Mosquitoes and flies soar through the air in packs. Wild deer trot along the beaten path into the wilderness. An old stone house crumbles into despair. The foundations of tiny buildings liter the ground around it, like something out of a dark fairy tale. It appears to be fixture of the days of magic that are now long since passed, or a world of elves and pixies jumped of the pages of a children’s book and into the woods of New England. This is the Little People’s Village, one of Connecticut’s greatest and most haunting urban legends. Though it is hidden deep in the woods, this place has both captivated and disturbed all who have visited it over the last half century. There are countless rumors as to what this place is and where it came from. But all have proven to be nothing more than just legends and old fashioned ghost stories.
As far as our research has gone, we have found no definitive history of the Little People’s Village. Legends and myths abound about this place, each one darker than the last. One of the oldest stories about the village is that a couple living in the area some hundred years ago began to see small pixie like creatures around their home. They built the small village for them whilst under what is believed to be a magic spell. Another version of the legend is that an old man in the area during the 1900’s was driven mad by the voices of these small creatures, who commanded him to build the little kingdom. The most logical of the legends is that this was merely a former train side attraction for the local amusement park, which eventually fell into disrepair when the trolley system was shut down. But even this story has allegedly been reputed by the owners of the amusement park.
So all in all, this place is just one big mystery. Due to its highly intriguing nature and dark urban legends, the place has since become a hotspot for ghost hunters and vandals. Much like most abandoned locations, the Little People’s Village has suffered greatly at the hands of those who visit it. A curse has allegedly been placed upon the grounds by ancient magic. The throne of the village, which still partially stands, was believed to cause death to whoever sat in it. According to legend, any person who dared to sit in the throne of the Little People would die within seven years. Many who have sat in this throne and live to this day have disputed this claim, yet its legend still hangs in the air. These myths and tall tales have given the Little People’s Village quite the reputation, and it has been deemed one of the greatest haunting hotspots in all of Connecticut.
Nestled deep in the woods of Middlebury, Connecticut, reaching the Little People’s Village was a bit of a hike for us. The village lies along a small path in the woods off a utilities access road. First on the trail is the old stone house that allegedly once belonged to the village’s creators. A small tunnel system lies under the foundation, and a tiny staircase will take you to the top of the structure. Further down the path are the ruins of the village itself. Unfortunately, only one real tiny house remains standing. The rest have been destroyed over the years by vandals. For some reason, just this one has remained spared. Towards the end of the path is what is left of the city. A few foundations still stand here. There appears to be some sort of door built into the earth behind it, but this is actually what is left of the infamous throne. Neither of us quite felt like taking the risk sitting in it though.
Though we witnessed no fairy tale creatures or heard any magical voices during our visit, there is definitely a presence to be felt here. While taking pictures at one point, we looked up to see a deer less than ten feet away from us. She had been watching our every move, just as fascinated with us as we were with the ruins of the village. If you do your research and know your route, the Little People’s Village isn’t too difficult to find. Just watch where you step and watch where you park. Urban explorers are not looked upon too kindly in this neighborhood. If you are feeling adventurous, it is worth a visit. The Little People’s Village is truly a sight to see. It is as puzzling as it is mesmerizing, spurring the imagination of just where this place came from and what its purpose actually was. Even as it slowly fades into ruin, this forgotten fantasy continues to haunt the world around it.
Fly Away Home — The Abandoned Montgomery Mill
Posted: June 30, 2015 by Hidden Wonders Photography in #postaday, Abandoned, Abandoned Attractions, Abandoned Business, Abandoned Connecticut, abandoned mill, abandoned new england, abandoned paper mill, Abandoned Stores, Abandoned USA, Abandoned Wonders, American Bald Eagle, Bird Watching, Birds, Broken, Christmas, Closed, commercial, Connecticut, darkness, Destruction, empty, Exploration, exploring the abandoned, fire, for sale, Forgotten, forgotten beauty, Ghosts, Haunting, Hiking, History, Homeless, Information, left behind, lost, Mystery, nature, new england, nightmares, overgrown, paper mill, photography, research, Ruins, Searching, Stories, Talcottville Mill, Uncategorized, Urban Decay, Urban Exploration, Urban Exploring, Urbex, Windsor Locks, writingTags: #postaday, 1800s, abandoned, abandoned buildings, abandoned cabin, Abandoned Connecticut, abandoned factory, abandoned mill, Abandoned New England, abandoned paper mill, abandoned wonders, Bald Eagle, be prepared, Bird Nesting, Birds, broken, Connecticut, Connecticut River, Conservation, CT, darkness, decay, Downfall, Economy, exploration, exploring, fire, Fly Away, forgotten, Graffiti, hiking, Homeless, Infamous, left behind, Metal Scavengers, Mill, Montgomery Corporation, Montgomery Mill, Nature, New England, Northern Connecticut, overgrowth, paper mill, photography, Scrap Metal, urban exploration, urbex, urbex photography, vandalism, Windsor Locks
Fly Away Home
The Abandoned Montgomery Mill
Written by: Wilk
Photographs by: Lassie
The state of Connecticut was once a place of industry. Factories and mills thrived for years in our little state. They provided income and jobs for small towns everywhere. But times change. We are now known as the “Insurance Capital of the World.” One by one, these former staples of the community slowly closed their doors as society continued to evolve. Today, these old factories now lie broken and forgotten all across the state. At one time, there were over seventy five abandoned mills in the state of Connecticut. Some, like the Montgomery Mill, stand looming over their small towns. They cast a shadow of the past across a growing community that tries to move on. We have explored several of these former factories over the years, but none have been as ominous, or as troubled, as the Montgomery Mill. From its haunting image, to its checkered history, the former factory stands in a class all its own.
First built in the early 1800’s, the Montgomery Mill was once the jewel in the crown of the thriving town of Windsor Locks. It gave the people of the town jobs, and became the heart of downtown. Businesses and shops opened up all around the mill. In the mid 1900’s though, things began to change. During the 1960’s, the small town of Windsor Locks began to steadily decline. The Montgomery Company struggled on for several more years, before finally closing its doors in 1989. Since that day, the factory has been a constant topic of debate amongst the townspeople and a playground for destruction. The property has changed hands several times between land developers and entrepreneurs over the years, but nothing has come of it. There have also been three notable fires in the mill complex; all were found to be caused by arson. The property has since become a seedy refuge for the local homeless, vandals, and scrap metal scavengers.
Standing right alongside the banks of the mighty Connecticut River, the Montgomery Mill is truly a sight to see. Driving down Main Street, you really can’t miss it. The factory is huge, standing ominously over the small town beneath it. It casts a shadow over the entire area. Eerily reminiscent to some of the buildings of Prypiat, Ukraine, the place is hauntingly captivating. There are multiple buildings in the complex, each one lies in a state of utter decay. The main factory stands six floors. Windows have been smashed. Fences have been put up. Doors have been boarded up. Even a few letters from the buildings sign that once read “The Montgomery Co. Est. 1871 Decorative and Electric Tinsels” have been lost. Wild vines and vegetation grow along the base of the factory, and even inside the basement. An old rusty fence protected by some jagged barbed wire and a faded stop sign block the entrance to the main complex.
What makes the Montgomery Mill so unique are its new residents. Though the workers of the factory are long gone, the local bird population has taken up residence in the now empty halls. Squads of pigeons and doves line the rooftops and window sills of the mill, spying on all those that enter their domain. But they are not the ones that rule this roost. A family of Bald Eagles has taken up residence inside of the factory. Conservationists believe that they are currently raising several young hatchlings somewhere inside the main building. For this reason, it is forbidden to enter the factory. If nesting Bald Eagles are disturbed, they will abandon their young and instinctively never return to their nest. We did not enter the factory, and we urge all our fellow explorers to do the same. The Bald Eagle is an endangered species, and their space must be respected. Unfortunately, we were unable to catch a glimpse of them.
Sitting in a state of beautiful decay, the Montgomery Mill stands as one of the more unique places we have ever visited. Even though we weren’t able to get inside of the abandoned factory, it is still worth a visit just to see this place. While the roaring river beside it continues to flow, the grounds still sit in defeat. Though many see it as an eye soar and sad reminder of downtown’s downfall, there is still a glimmer of hope for the property. The animal that captivates the American spirit and pride has chosen this former mill as its nesting grounds. When they move on, there are still plans for the town to finally foreclose on the property and begin the rebuilding process. Until that day, the Montgomery Mill stands waiting, casting its ominous shadow across the community. But much like the American Bald Eagle, the town continues to persevere, flying onward in hopes of a better tomorrow.
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Hear the Whistle Blow – Abandoned Train Stop
Posted: June 11, 2015 by Hidden Wonders Photography in #postaday, Abandoned, Abandoned Connecticut, abandoned new england, Abandoned Railway, Abandoned train station, Abandoned USA, Abandoned Wonders, American Bald Eagle, Birds, Broken, Closed, Connecticut, darkness, Destruction, empty, Exploration, exploring the abandoned, Forgotten, forgotten beauty, Ghosts, Haunting, Hiking, History, Information, left behind, lost, Movies, Mystery, nature, new england, overgrown, photography, research, Ruins, Safety First, Searching, Stories, time, Urban Decay, Urban Exploration, Urban Exploring, Urbex, Windsor Locks, writingTags: #postaday, abandoned, abandoned buildings, Abandoned Connecticut, Abandoned New England, Abandoned Railroad, Abandoned Train Cars, Abandoned USA, abandoned wonders, be prepared, boarded up, broken, Connecticut, Connecticut River, CT, darkness, decay, exploration, exploring, forgotten, hiking, Historical Landmark, Inception, left behind, Nature, New England, photography, Ruins, train station, Train Tracks, Trains, urban exploration, urbex, urbex photography, Whistle Blow, Windsor Locks
“I’ll tell you a riddle. You’re waiting for a train, a train that will take you far away. You know where you hope this train will take you, but you don’t know for sure. But it doesn’t matter. How can it not matter to you where the train will take you? Because you’ll be together.” –Inception
Learn to Forget — Ten Most Haunting Abandoned Artifacts
Posted: June 4, 2015 by Hidden Wonders Photography in #postaday, Abandoned, Abandoned Connecticut, Abandoned Forts, abandoned new england, Abandoned Railway, Abandoned Resort, Abandoned Sanatorium, Abandoned USA, Abandoned Wonders, Urban Exploration, Urban Exploring, UrbexTags: #postaday, abandoned, Abandoned Connecticut, Abandoned New England, Abandoned Rhode Island, abandoned wonders, artifacts, Cane, Christmas, forgotten, haunting, hiking, Holy Bible, Mercury Cougar, Nature, school bus, Seaside Sanatorium, Sunrise Resort, urban exploration, urbex
Learn to Forget
Ten Most Haunting Abandoned Artifacts
Written by: Sean L.
Photographs by: Amanda H.
There’s a difference between forgetting and choosing not to remember. Forgetting happens by accident. You keep something in the back of your mind, but over time it becomes dusty and slowly deteriorates. And over time, it eventually decays completely. Choosing not to remember is deliberately trying to remove something from your memory. But unfortunately, some things cannot be forgotten. Some hurts go too deep, and no matter how hard you try, they will always be there. There is no learning to forget. We’ve explored countless abandoned places over the years. Some can be fascinating, others can be frightening. But one thing they all seem to have in common is the haunting aura. Some have it stronger than others, but they all have it. What gives them this aura? Is it the mystique of seeing a world that humans have left behind? Is it a glimpse into the past? Or is it the shattering realization of seeing what comes to pass when we’ve gone? Here is a list of our top ten most haunting artifacts.
- Baby Stroller: This abandoned stroller lies amongst the ruins of an old rail yard. How it got there and why remains a mystery.
- Mercury Cougar: Though she once ruled road with classic Mercury style and speed, this old car stands as abandoned and trashed as the home of its former owner.
- Playground Slide: Once a place of joy and amusement to young patients, this old piece of playground is now at the mercy of the elements as it sits outside an abandoned hospital.
- The Moss Shoe: Sitting outside of an abandoned summer camp, this old shoe has been left behind for so long that it has truly become a part of nature.
- Stuffed Dog: Perhaps he once a child’s best friend, but now this stuffed animal sadly lies completely abandoned and forgotten outside a derelict home.
- Holy Bible: One of the most popular and holy books in the history of mankind, this bible now lies broken and destroyed outside an abandoned motel.
- Christmas Tree: The symbol of peace, love, and joy is now nothing more than a forgotten decoration in an abandoned dining hall.
- School Bus: It once ferried children to and from school. Now this magic bus lies broken and abandoned in the middle of the woods.
- The Cane: The former walking stick of the former resident of this abandoned house still stands as the world it once knew slowly crumbles around it.
- River Chairs: Standing forever in a flooded river, these two chairs are still haunted by the spirits of those who once enjoyed the sunset from them.
Turn the Corner — The Ruins of Manchester Drive-In
Posted: May 27, 2015 by Hidden Wonders Photography in #postaday, Abandoned, Abandoned Attractions, Abandoned Business, Abandoned Cinema, Abandoned Connecticut, Abandoned Drive-In, abandoned new england, Abandoned Theaters, Abandoned USA, Abandoned Wonders, Automobiles, Bolton, Broken, Cinema, Closed, commercial, Connecticut, darkness, Destruction, empty, Exploration, exploring the abandoned, for sale, Forgotten, forgotten beauty, Haunting, Hiking, History, Homeless, Information, left behind, lost, Manchester, Manchester CT, Movies, Mystery, nature, new england, nightmares, overgrown, photography, Public Parks, research, Ruins, Safety First, Searching, Showcase Cinema, State Parks, Stories, Theater, time, Uncategorized, Urban Decay, Urban Exploration, Urban Exploring, Urbex, writing, WWIITags: #postaday, 1960's, 1962, 2006, abandoned, abandoned buildings, abandoned business, Abandoned Connecticut, Abandoned Drive-In, Abandoned New England, Abandoned Places, abandoned theater, Abandoned USA, abandoned wonders, American Graffiti, be prepared, Bolton, broken, Connecticut, CT, danger, decay, Drive-In, empty, exploration, exploring, forgotten, Former Glory, George Lucas, Graffiti, haunting, hiking, hiking trails, history, Hop River, left behind, Manchester, Manchester Connecticut, Movies, mystery, Nature, nature preserve, New England, Overgrown, photography, Places to Explore, Ruins, Safety First, Sixties, State Park, Theater, urban exploration, urban explorer, urban exploring, urban exporing, urbex, urbex photography, vandalism, writing
Turn the Corner
The Ruins of Manchester Drive-In
Written by: Sean L.
Photography by: Amanda H.
Movies. Popcorn. Soda Pop. Greased back hair. Your best gal in the backseat of your Chevy. Just another Saturday night. There was a time. Most of us here are a little too young to remember these days. But back in the late nineteen fifties and early sixties, the drive-in movie theater became a bit of a phenomenon here in the US. There were at one time over four thousand drive-in movie theaters all across the country, mostly located in the rural sections. They were the place to be come Saturday night, not just for movies but for a chance to show off your ride. But for the old Manchester Drive-In, all of that is gone. Opened in the early 1950’s, the Manchester Drive-In was one of many drive-in theaters to pop up in Connecticut during this time period. As opposed to the drive-in theaters of today, Manchester had only one screen. It could hold over five hundred cars per showing. But over the years, the excitement and the wonder of drive-in movie theaters began to wane. Most of the theaters across the state began to steadily close their doors, including the Manchester Drive-In.
Unfortunately, the theater went out of business in the early 1980’s where it sat empty and abandoned for almost twenty years. It was finally purchased locally in 2006 to become a park along the Hop River in Bolton, Connecticut. Today, the former drive-in theater that once held over five hundred eager movie goers is now nothing more than a ruin. The pavement of the entrance way is cracked and crumbling. The old sign has become completely engulfed by wines and weeds. The lot itself has become completely impassable due to massive amounts of brush and vegetation. A few old speakers still stand along the outskirts. There is a pile of burned wreckage in the back that was once the theater’s concession stand. But most haunting of all, the one screen itself still stands. Though it is now a skeleton, it is hard to believe that this decrepit structure once played some of the most classic and timeless blockbusters of our time. It casts a shadow over its former glory. But if you look closely just enough, you can still see what this place was once like way back in the summer of 1962.
“Someone wants me. Someone roaming the streets, wants ME… Will you turn the corner?”
–American Graffiti
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Abandoned School Bus
Posted: May 16, 2015 by Hidden Wonders Photography in #postaday, Abandoned, Abandoned Connecticut, abandoned new england, Abandoned USA, Abandoned Wonders, school bus, Urban Exploration, Urban Exploring, UrbexTags: #postaday, abandoned, Abandoned Connecticut, Abandoned New England, abandoned wonders, forgotten, left behind, Nature, school bus, urban exploration, urbex
