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5. Williams Grove Amusement Park
Williams Grove - Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
Opened: 1850
Closed: 2005
Status: Abandoned
Background: Williams Grove Amusement Park was a beloved attraction located in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, that operated from 1850 until its closure in 2005. The park had a rich and varied history, with many changes and updates over the years.
The park began as a small picnic grove in 1850, with visitors coming to enjoy the natural beauty of the area. In 1928, the park was purchased by the Williams family, who transformed it into a full-fledged amusement park. The Williams family added many new attractions, including a roller coaster, a Ferris wheel, and a wooden carousel. The adjacent Williams Grove Speedway half-mile track opened in 1938.[1]
However, by the late 20th century, the park began to face financial difficulties. Attendance had declined, and the park was struggling to keep up with the costs of maintaining and updating its rides and facilities. In 2005, the park closed its doors for the final time, and many of its rides and attractions were sold off or dismantled.
Today, the former site of Williams Grove Amusement Park is a mix of preserved historic structures and open green space. Visitors can still see remnants of the park's past, including the park's original roller coaster station, which has been preserved and now serves as a museum exhibit.
Why Visit?: Awesome relic of small-town America. The coaster is in great shape - go while the sun is setting for good light/less risk.
Security Level: High - there are dogs, fences, and a security guard (although I’ve never seen the guard). Park in the trailer park behind the roller coaster and walk through the woods.
4. Lincoln Way
Location: Clairton, PA
Opened: Lincoln Way was home to a vibrant community dating back to the early 1900’s
Closed: The last home was vacated in 2012 - the entire street is now demolished
Brief History: During the early to mid-20th century, Lincoln Way was a bustling commercial district with a variety of stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues. The street was a hub of activity and a popular destination for residents of Clairton and the surrounding areas.
However, with the decline of the steel industry in the 1970s and 1980s, Clairton and many other small towns in the region began to struggle economically. The closure of several steel mills in the area resulted in the loss of thousands of jobs and a significant decrease in population.
As a result, many of the businesses on Lincoln Way closed or relocated, and the street became increasingly vacant and run-down. Today, Lincoln Way is mostly abandoned and many of its buildings are in a state of disrepair.
Status: Demolished
3. Penn Hills Resort
Location: Poconos
Opened: 1944
Closed: 2009
Status: Standing
Background: Founded as a tavern in 1944, Penn Hills expanded to over a hundred rooms.[1]
Penn Hills Resort, bubble bath, circa 1970'sView of the Penn Hills Resort pool, shaped like a wedding bell, suffering neglect after the resort was abandoned. August, 2012[2] The 500-acre Penn Hills grew in the 1960s to include a ski resort and a golf course. Guest villas featured floor-to-ceiling carpeting, round beds, and heart-shaped bathtubs.[3] Distinctive, modernist streetlights from the 1964 World's Fair were installed, as well as an ice rink and a wedding bell shaped outdoor swimming pool.[4]
In 2009, Penn Hills co-founder Frances Paolillo died at the age of 102 and the resort closed less than two months later. Monroe County took over the property in lieu of back taxes.[1] Workers' final paychecks were never issued, and the resort owed the county over $1 million in back taxes.[7] Already in serious disrepair, flooding and copper thieves damaged the buildings further, and the resort was abandoned.[8]
By 2012, Monroe County had sold several small parcels of Penn Hills. However, most of the resort remained unsold.[9] A portion of the resort became the Forever green park.[10]
In January 2016, a group of New York investors purchased what remained of Penn Hills for $400,000. As of May 2016, they were still determining how best to develop the property. - Wiki Excerpt
Why Visit?: An absolutely massive property with at least a full 3 hours of risk-free exploring. Everything was left intact including the heart shaped bath tubs, furniture, TVs, marketing material, etc. A relic of prosperity in the Poconos - resorts like this don’t really exist anymore. Of the many left abandoned, Penn Hills is perhaps in the best shape/provides the most to explore.
Security Level: Minimal - most of the buildings are wide open, and there is no security on site. There is a main road cutting through the center of the resort - so watch out for cops passing by.
2. Hall Mansion
Location: Mechanicsburg, PA
Opened: 1980s
Closed: The last home was vacated in 1993
Status: Standing/Partially Destroyed
Background: Built by former Silver Spring Twp. businessman John P. Hall in 1981 for 2 million - complete with a 16-story observation tower, 8 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, 2 kitchens, a game room, racquetball and squash courts, a 25-car garage and a bomb shelter. It also includes 17 fireplaces; a coal, oil and solar heating system; and an electric-generating plant. Hall abandoned construction on the property in 1993 due to bankruptcy proceedings. He was later sentenced to two years in federal prison after being found guilty on several counts of bankruptcy fraud, wire fraud and concealing foreign assets from creditors.
Why Visit?: Outside of the unique architecture, insane background story, and elaborate property layout - this location also happens to be less than a mile from the main highway (which you will likely already be traveling on to get through Pennsyltucky).
Security Level: Low - there is no security on site, although there are reports online of police patrolling the area. I’ve been twice, and parked on the road right next to the gate both times. Once you pass the gate, walk back on the gravel road (probably about a half mile) until you see the tower. Be sure to check out the smaller abandoned house off to the right of the road walking towards the main house.
1. Undisclosed Location - Pittsburgh, PA
Location: ——
Status: Standing
Why Visit?: If you know how to find it, this is one of Pittsburgh’s best abandoned spots to explore. Incredible architecture, intact crown molding, opera house seating, beautiful views, and a massive property to venture around with virtually no security risk. This is a low-key spot - please keep it that way :)
Security Level: Low - there is no security on site. This location was being turned into apartments last time I checked, but construction has not started (and I’m not sure it ever will). This property is in the city, so be sure to watch out for police passing by. Enter from the back of the building. Park anywhere on the street below.
