Ever wonder what the inside of that old, abandoned insane asylum looks like a few towns over? Me too Every area has them. Dilapidated structures of the past left as time capsules in the middle of modern society, slowly rotting away. The most popular of course is the long-ago outlawed psychiatric institutes that thought electric shock therapy was a reliable form of treatment.
Of course, psychiatric institutes aren’t the only abandoned structures out there. There’s schools, theatres, churches, factories, military bases, research centers, prisons, hotels, malls, mansions, half-sunken ships, water parks, amusement parks, and even entirely abandoned small towns. These relics of the past were long ago abandoned for a multitude of reasons. Though in most cases, they were financial. Though sometimes the fault lays at the hands of the government or negligent owners.
Many of these structures have rich histories and contain artifacts usually sold at high bids on eBay. Though many people don’t dare to touch them because state laws prohibit forceful entrance onto private properties, even if they haven’t been operational in years. It’s devastating to watch the stories of these structures and the people who inhabited them fade into the past. Many of these structures could easily be repaired with a little love and care to become flourishing community centers.
Old psychiatric hospitals and schools could be turned into actual hospitals and schools, libraries, museums, cheap apartment complexes, orphanages, or even homeless shelters. However, in most cases, this is not what happens to these places. The state or local government seizes ownership and allows these structures to sit empty, and unused until they deteriorate. Ultimately waiting until they have the funds to tear the structure down and sell the property. Though when this happens the structure is not the only thing that gets destroyed. The stories held within the walls get destroyed as well. With funding from private investors or governments, these structures could become flourishing community centers for those in need, all while preserving their history.
There is a massive community of adventurers who make a hobby out of exploring these abandoned places. They spread awareness of their existence and share their stories in hopes that people will protest the local government’s ownership and plans for demolition. However, this form of explorative activism is illegal and potentially dangerous. Breaking into private properties is illegal and can lead to an arrest with high fines if the perpetrators are caught. Of course, entering any crumbling structure is a risk in itself. Weak floorboards, falling ceilings, broken glass, and suspicious people are just some of the dangers that explorers expose themselves to while visiting these structures. Many of these adventurers tape their explorations and post the footage on Youtube where it can gain traction from a large audience. My personal favorite is The Proper People because they are well researched, professional, and respectful towards the abandoned structures they visit.
In my years of research, I’ve become attracted to many of these abandoned structures and the stories behind them. Some even across the world. One being a mall in Thailand which was abandoned after a fire in 1999. The bottom level of the mall flooded and is currently the home to hundreds of koi fish. Explorers say it looks like a natural aquarium. Another one of my favorites is an abandoned Gulliver’s Travels themed amusement park in Japan which features a giant statue of Gulliver tied down in the middle of the park. Explorers like to go and sit in the palms of the giant man. The park was closed in 1997 due to a lack of revenue. Most likely because the park was built next to the infamous Suicide Forrest were hundreds of people have taken their lives. Better yet, the neighbors on the other side are the Japanese terrorist organization, Aum Shinrikyo. Not exactly an ideal spot for fun and games.
Some of my favorites in the U.S. include a mansion situated just outside of New York City. The mansion has been uninhabited since the 1970s when the family who lived there mysteriously left without ever returning. Many artifacts from the 1970s still lay inside its walls. Walking through is like taking a step into the past. Currently, the mansion is said to be owned by a wealthy man who is legendary for buying beautiful mansions to watch them rot. No one knows who he is or why he does this. It is impossible to get in contact with this mysterious figure. In North Carolina there lies The Land of Oz. A Wizard of Oz themed amusement park left to decay after years of mishaps in the 1980s. The park still features a yellow brick road and balloon ride ski lift. There is an entire abandoned town in Connecticut called Johnsonville which recently went on the market for 1.9 million dollars. Which quite honestly is far cheaper than most mansions. The town has a bank, post office, schoolhouse, restaurants, barnhouse and more. The buildings are in need of repair but still retain their original charm. Johnsonville was originally a mill townand additionally produced twine. The town thrived until the Civil War when the fall of its economy ended its glory days. This place sounds like an idyllic getaway, but watch out for the ghost of the town’s owner who is said to haunt the main home.
These abandoned structures have so much history and potential for new life. It’s up to us to save them from bulldozers and greedy investors. Communities must come together to save these survivors from the fate that befell their surroundings. Gentrification and modernization are vital for the evolution of humanity, but we must always remember where we came from and the places that help us tell those stories. So if you happen to have a few million lying around maybe put it to good use, restore these structures, and gave them a new purpose in the modern world.
Here are some links to the abandoned places I mentioned if you’re interested in seeing pictures
or want more information: