Located just outside of Philadelphia, the abandoned Mount Moriah Cemetery is little-by-little being reclaimed by nature. In fact, at first glance, you might think it the set of some sort of movie instead of the final resting place of thousands of Philadelphians. What is unique about this cemetery is not just its storied history as …
To read more about the history of Old Overholt Whiskey and the Broad Ford Distillery, check out part one of my post. By the 1970s, the Broad Ford site had descended into ruin. Although the massive grain silos, warehouse, water tower, boiler house, and warehouse remained their neglect and exposure to the elements made …
My paternal grandmother grew up in Apollo, PA, so every so often my dad would take us up there to visit relatives. One of the curiosities I always wanted to catch a glimpse of was the former Belvedere Hotel. If you’ve ever been to Apollo you will know exactly which building I am talking about. …
At one time in Westmoreland County, glass was a big industry. Several glass plants in the county were hard at work producing various styles of glass. Two of these plants were just a few miles from each other — Jeannette and Westmoreland Glass. Both plants produced a variety of different styles and colors of glass. …
As you are driving along Route 30 eastbound on the way up the mountain you might happen to notice a small, wooden church in the weeds beside an auto body shop. This is the former building of the Trinity Reformed congregation in Jennerstown. This unassuming church has quite the history. Originally located at the crest …
Everyone knows of the three big Laurel Highlands ski resorts: Seven Springs, Hidden Valley, and Laurel Mountain. All three, which are owned by Seven Springs, make up the entirety of the area’s skiing. What I didn’t realize, however, is that they weren’t the only game in town. There also used to be Plateau de Mount. …
It’s no secret that Western Pennsylvania was once an area beholden to the Pittsburgh steel industry. Coke ovens dotted the hillsides, mines were producing coal, and railroads were providing a steady stream of supplies to the still mills in the city. Over time, however, coke and coal were no longer needed to fuel the massive …
Some see them as blight, other see them as beauty. No matter how you see abandoned architecture there is no denying there is something about rotting and crumbling buildings that sparks curiosity and fascination. These locations are no exception. While some of these sites are the remnants of long-gone industry, others were once thriving communities. …
