As many folks that partake in urban exploration, summer is really not the time to explore. It is hot, there are lots of bugs, people are all around all the time and there is lots of poison ivy. We have not been out and about as much as we would like, but we were traveling home from the shore and decided we could not pass up the opportunity to see some stuff in the Poconos region. Though not one of our most successful stops, we did find some great finds and so I want to share with you,
Our first stop was the Penn Hills Resort. This once vibrant 70's honeymoon destination is now a shell of itself. The sign still shines bright and welcomes you, but all of the common areas are boarded up and closed. The condos and rooms sit vacant, empty of all furniture that I saw. We were unable to get in due to new fencing, but I was able to peek inside a couple spots and see what once have held some serious fun. Rumor has it that there are champagne hot tubs and heart shaped beds. Others were exploring, but we passed due to the new signs of No Trespassing since we were with Little One.
Our next spot was amazing. We got caught trying to get in, but the exterior was amazing. The Bush Kill Inn was amazing and since it will soon be demolished, I am so glad we saw it. Once one of the top destinations for the elite, including Mr. Walk Disney and the Roosevelts, this 300,000, yes I wrote 300,000 square foot resort hosted America's finest with multiple dining rooms, a golf course, swimming pools and more. Closed in 1991, it was recently purchased and in far too much disrepair and unable to update to make it current. So, it will be demolished. I got a wonderful history lesson from the security detail and asked not to go further. This building was one of the most wonderful buildings I have ever seen. Go before it is no longer there. Just standing on the street looking at it was worth the drive.
However, once you see that, go to Concrete City in Hanover. This place was amazing. One a community built out of concrete to stand up to the elements and time, these houses were home to only English speaking, well to do, workers of the local mine. The houses form a square with a park like center - very Central Park-ish. Now, all that remains, after a beautiful hike, are the shells of these homes, stairs in tact, basements dark and foreboding. We went into several of them, graffiti covered . We had so much fun exploring, jumping in and out of the windows, watching the frogs leap in and out of the water, and exploring like old times. This was a truly fabulous find. Go, there, everywhere. It really doesn't matter, as long as you are together,
Our first stop was the Penn Hills Resort. This once vibrant 70's honeymoon destination is now a shell of itself. The sign still shines bright and welcomes you, but all of the common areas are boarded up and closed. The condos and rooms sit vacant, empty of all furniture that I saw. We were unable to get in due to new fencing, but I was able to peek inside a couple spots and see what once have held some serious fun. Rumor has it that there are champagne hot tubs and heart shaped beds. Others were exploring, but we passed due to the new signs of No Trespassing since we were with Little One.
Our next spot was amazing. We got caught trying to get in, but the exterior was amazing. The Bush Kill Inn was amazing and since it will soon be demolished, I am so glad we saw it. Once one of the top destinations for the elite, including Mr. Walk Disney and the Roosevelts, this 300,000, yes I wrote 300,000 square foot resort hosted America's finest with multiple dining rooms, a golf course, swimming pools and more. Closed in 1991, it was recently purchased and in far too much disrepair and unable to update to make it current. So, it will be demolished. I got a wonderful history lesson from the security detail and asked not to go further. This building was one of the most wonderful buildings I have ever seen. Go before it is no longer there. Just standing on the street looking at it was worth the drive.
However, once you see that, go to Concrete City in Hanover. This place was amazing. One a community built out of concrete to stand up to the elements and time, these houses were home to only English speaking, well to do, workers of the local mine. The houses form a square with a park like center - very Central Park-ish. Now, all that remains, after a beautiful hike, are the shells of these homes, stairs in tact, basements dark and foreboding. We went into several of them, graffiti covered . We had so much fun exploring, jumping in and out of the windows, watching the frogs leap in and out of the water, and exploring like old times. This was a truly fabulous find. Go, there, everywhere. It really doesn't matter, as long as you are together,