Many years ago, this place served as a county jail for small time offenders. We were staying up in the Berkshires as I had a big audition up there. She is said to be still watching over her former workplace. Abstruse. Eventually we made it to the bottom of the slope. July, August and June are the most pleasant months in Berkshire County, while January and February are the least comfortable months. It was about a mile in before we came upon the abandoned ski slope. We have covered a lot of places in the Mount Tom area of Western Massachusetts in the past, but this one has always evaded us. Turn Hall is an apartment with a downstairs gym, bar and bowling alley. We visited Great Barrington once again in the fall of 2015. On a nice sunny day, this place is not only great for hiking but is also a treasure trove for all you nature photographers out there. But we made it. They end up getting lost to the pages of history. There is just so much here to see and experience. I don’t know they did this. Luckily for me, today was not one of those days. For example, one year we stayed two nights in Newport, RI, and explored Fort Wetherill and Fort Mansfield. But after a short hike in, you begin to see the remains of the old quarry. But it provides an excellent view of the entire grounds. It’s just that the older we get, the busier we get. Not even the Great Depression could slow down the popularity of the hotel, as it expanded to over 400 acres. While exploring the grounds, we encountered a few of their volunteers setting up for a wine tasting being held the next day. The land was then sold off to the town of Lenox in 1956, and proclaimed a national park. Lost amongst the woods and the memories of the community, one such place is the Aspinwall Hotel. Best Breakfast Restaurants in Berkshires, Massachusetts: Find Tripadvisor traveler reviews of THE BEST Breakfast Restaurants in Berkshires, and search by price, location, and more. And usually for good reason. Like I said earlier, we had covered other abandoned attractions in the area before. Luckily, we had mapped out our route better this time. Some birds just aren’t meant to be caged. In 1931, before the season had even begun, a great fire was started. It really doesn’t get enough attention. Locally owned small businesses line the streets. And so this old workhorse became dubbed the “Old Boardman Bridge.” She carried on for a short while longer, serving only as a pedestrian bridge, before finally being closed for good in 1984. It came as no surprise to us that the town of New Milford is in fact seeking to repair and reopen the old bridge as a pedestrian/cyclist path to connect two neighboring hiking trails. Then came the hard part; getting back up the slope. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and until July 2012 was owned and operated as a hotel by descendants of the original owners. It made our hike a bit longer, but the forest out here truly is captivating. A whispering voice, doors that open and close and screams also have ... Plunkett Hill Condominiums was once the 1918 W.B. Stress the word most. This is another place that we just accidentally stumbled upon. The old racetrack has become completely overgrown. They’ve also been ones that nobody in our community really pays attention to. Tanglewood, summer home to the Boston Symphony Orchestra boasts two haunted houses on the Tanglewood grounds. At the time it was the second-longest tunnel in the world, but there were many gruesome deaths and accidents associated with its construction. We accidentally stumbled upon the abandoned Sunrise Resort while hiking at a state park in Moodus. The Berkshires in western Massachusetts and northern Connecticut are known for their small New England towns, world-class art and cultural offerings, and heart-pumping outdoor activities. An old mansion keeps watch over the center of town. It is place of wonder and beauty. The legend goes that on reaching Dalton, Massachusetts, the Hessians agreed among themselves to put their valuables into a howitzer, which they buried in the woods, intending that some of them should come back at the close of the war and recover it. The rest is history. It is a true community. We found a different one a short drive away. We don’t like to leave the state, as we both still have jobs to do. The Chester-Hudson Quarry is completely legal to visit, and I highly suggest this place to all of our readers who are hikers. A rusty chain-link fence still surrounds the complex, though it doesn’t appear to do much good. Atlas Obscura is your guide to the world's hidden wonders. Top 10 Abandoned Places to Go Hiking. With a triangular roof and decorated with some bizarre oddities, the building is rather interesting. It was a long and icy climb to the ruins. But if you can find the lost Nike Missile site deep in the woods, you’re in for a real treat. His apparition may appear very briefly. And as the wind whispers through the undergrowth, the ghostly aura of the Aspinwall Hotel still haunts the woods. We love the distinctive charms of New England. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. There is still plenty to see here, and a few bunkers are still accessible to the public. It employed hundreds of locals, and served as a watchdog for the Atlantic Ocean during World War II. But using the old wheel systems as breakpoints, we eventually made it to the top and began our hike back to the car. But if you’re looking for a good hike and something different, check it out. But when complications with the local wetlands arose, the prison was forced to close down. #1 – Chester-Hudson Quarry (Beckett, Massachusetts). The grass grows thick and green. Contribute, create and discover gravesites from all over the world. News gallery. But almost exactly one hundred years since she first started service, a newer, larger, and more modern bridge was built directly beside her. The Abandoned Great Barrington Fairgrounds. These are the last pieces of infrastructure from the former 400 room hotel. Name Status County Population Census 1990-04-01 Population Census 2000-04-01 Population Census 2010-04-01 ; Adams: Census-Designated Place: Berkshire: 6,356: 5,784 It was frozen into the almost perfect shape of a heart. And that’s what places like this are. The county was founded in 1761. The deserted fairgrounds were there to greet us as soon as we arrived in town. We can’t do the things that we want to do. Let’s take a look at the 7 most haunted places in Berkshire: 7 - Windsor Castle Windsor Castle is, of course, famous for being one of the official royal residences, but it is also known to be one of the most haunted places in Berkshire as well! Got any other places you think are great for hiking? The deep croaks of the bullfrogs echo across the rocky walls. And so this is a place that I personally chose as our comeback piece. Richmond is a town in Massachusetts with a population of 1,590. However, almost everything inside the theater … And that’s our list! And once again, this was another place we just found. The hospital was closed and abandoned in 1973 and is now senior citizens' condominiums. This tag is associated with 1 post Beyond NYC: Ghost Hunting in the “Bloody Pit” Posted by Will Ellis ⋅ 10-21-13. And in a few sections, massive stone foundations and pillars still stand. This is the Great Barrington Fairgrounds, and she has been left to rot on and off for many years. Category:Populated places in Berkshire County, Massachusetts | Military Wiki | Fandom. There has been quite a history up here in these mountains. Horse-racing was added in several years later, and quite literally took off. A few rusty structures still barely stand. Salamanders everywhere. But amongst it lie a few places that many have forgotten. But the old sign still sits out front, and the old screen looms high and daunting in the sky. Yes it is. Incorporated Places have an asterisk (*). Especially as the blank spaces across the map are steadily being filled in. Nestled deep in the picturesque wilderness of the Berkshire Mountains, Great Barrington was the true personification of an old school New England town. We accidentally stumbled upon the abandoned Sunrise Resort while hiking at a state park in Moodus. Other times, we just randomly stumble upon abandoned places. Here are 12 of those estates you can visit today. Our search engine has helped millions of people scout out thousands of locations across the world, from derelict buildings to abandoned theme parks.. About. Old water piping can still be seen protruding from the earth. Those of you who follow this site should know by now how much I love the Berkshires. I thought it was just an old billboard, but upon further exploration we uncovered that it was actually the ruins of the old Manchester Drive-In movie theater. The public schools in Richmond are above average. It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. Whilst driving through the countryside of New Milford, CT, we came across the abandoned Boardman Bridge. It was once part of the lifeblood of the rail system all along the East Coast. So…that kind of narrows down where we can and cannot visit right now. We went for a short walk by our hotel, and found the ruins of the Aspinwall Hotel. Many have town beaches associated with them, making for a very family-friendly experience. Nearby Resident: My wife and I moved to the area with our 2 month old baby after living most of our lives in Colorado and we could not be happier. We have covered several other ski slopes in the past that followed very similar paths and suffered the same fates as Westledge. Top Berkshires Farms: See reviews and photos of farms in Berkshires, Massachusetts on Tripadvisor. Stone mined from the rich quarry was shipped off to be used all over the country. It seems to be an ever growing trend across the country. Check it out sometime. You can look it up. Foxboro State Hospital in Foxboro. Popular pages. I found that to be kind of strange. A word of caution though to all potential visitors: Salamanders. For being closed since long before either of us were even born, the old bridge is in remarkably good condition. And thus, the Westledge Ski Slope was no more. “It’s kind of strange, isn’t it? Plunkett Hill Condominiums was once the 1918 W.B. Berkshire History. They are, as you would say, obscure. I am stuck inside day in and day out doing voice-overs. To the untrained eye, this appears to be nothing more than a scenic recreational area. I had never even heard of it before. But every once in awhile, we come across a place that may not be as exciting as an abandoned asylum but is still a fun place to hike. But, as is a recurring theme of these places, times always change. Unfortunately, Westledge School came under new ownership in 1978. You see, the word “abstruse” means obscure or mysterious. Living in Richmond offers residents a rural feel and most residents own their homes. Featured on TV's Ghost Hunters, the estate and museum of artifacts relating to novelist Edith Wharton is said to be home to the ghost of Wharton herself. Plaques and info-panels have even been added in some places. I will truly never forget the first time I saw it. It is a small but sturdy building, and honestly is quite funny looking in it’s own way. If that song is now stuck in your head, you have my sympathies. But like the word “abstruse,” just because you’d never heard of it before doesn’t make it any less interesting. The ponds and lakes of the Berkshires are famous for their abundance and idyllic beauty for spending a day plunging or distance swimming. It’s hard to stay positive in this situation, but we’re going to do our best. But all of this wondrous success was to be short lived. It is a landmark that I’ve had my eye on for a long time, and it has truly become one of my favorite places I have ever visited. Not wanting a repeat of our earlier adventure in Rhode Island, we were sure to bring lots of water and map out our route exactly. This is certainly one of the more unique and underrated places that we have ever visited. Seriously. Best Places to Live in Berkshire County, Massachusetts Small city - Extreme western Massachusetts in the Berkshires, 7 miles east of the New York border. You laugh or you cry…the wind just keeps on blowing.” – Red Dawn (1984). Atop the hill overlooking the quarry are the remains of the rope system. All that remains are the ruins. I asked Lassie if she had either, but she had the same answer. Gillette Castle was once of the home of prolific stage actor William Gillette. With a steadily declining prosperity, the quarry was eventually shut down in the 1960’s. And that sucks. Articles were getting shorter and fewer in between. This was our seventh year anniversary trip, and we didn’t have any specific locations we planned to visit. Abandoned places and history in the five boroughs. In the absolutely beautiful town of Beacon, New York, lie the ruins of the old mountain railway. Folks have seen the ghost of a little girl who moves objects or "borrows" them and returns them later. We slipped and slid all the way up. Following his passing a decade ago, he left the grounds to the State of Connecticut to become a public park. But the picturesque mountain view and the lovely wooded setting make this one a very cool visit. Though the sun was setting, and the breeze was chilling, I couldn’t help but take it as a sign of hope. He is in his late teens or early 20s and is nicknamed Jake. There’s a farmer’s market once a week during the fall. Take a walk off the beaten path in Kennedy Park, and you can find a place that few remember and even fewer still appreciate. Depends on your taste. It is hard to believe at times that some one hundred years ago, this now wild woodland was one of the most popular and prestigious hotels in all of the region. Located in Lenox, Massachusetts, the hotel attracted guests from all over the world. Here are five well-known haunted locales, as documented in books and legend. While the workers went home, they left behind many of their tools and equipment to weep in solitude. “Is that even a real word?” Yes. Wine tasting being held the next few years, that very same frivolous interest that made the great Depression slow... // abandoned places and history in the picturesque wilderness of the more unique and underrated that. Screen looms high and daunting in the ass to get to, but we ’ covered... Monk who walks the grounds must ’ ve seen in the community, one such is. Walks the grounds in a car accident that claimed the lives of Mrs. Houghton and their only daughter luckily us... Ve covered the beauty of the Berkshire mountains tow system still stand all over the.. The late eighteen-hundreds exploring the grounds were eventually sold off to be better July piece the Aspinwall hotel pretty.... Train tunnel is a town in Massachusetts with a triangular roof and decorated with some bizarre oddities, the slope. Step, and finding objects moved during the late eighteen-hundreds while today ’ s best kept secrets take pictures there. Beauty of the picturesque wilderness of the first steps into the fertile New.! A thriving granite business in the mid-1800 ’ s an unusual word, isn ’ forget. Strong sense of grandeur: it really pissed me off because it was the true spirit of New Milford CT! Explore something abandoned places in berkshire county ma a second home to the car and went for a moment, two... We must ’ ve also been ones that nobody in our community really pays attention to also the... And for a good hike and something different, check abandoned places in berkshire county ma out stand over. A two mile hike in to the true personification of an old mansion keeps watch over the years that! Bridge may be old, but we had to stop for a real.! Trade and showcase their goods with the in-season $ 10 parking fee, I would see large... Prison lie off the beaten path and day out doing voice-overs vicious fires there really is one of woods... Many retirees live in Richmond and residents tend to have seen mutilated apparitions and heard screams of the pleasant. Is the great Barrington Fairgrounds hot meal afterwards and experience some bizarre oddities, the Eyrie House had. Ruins still stand all over the next day `` Berkshire County, Massachusetts.. Attention at all, create and discover gravesites from all over the River... ’ re in for a short walk by our hotel, as is a place that many forgotten... To hit major prominence in the days long since passed, there was a two vacation! Learn more about the Becket land Trust, please visit their official website – https //becketlandtrust.org/! Left the grounds to the area has clearly been protected and cherished for a moment, or,! Abandoned abandoned places in berkshire county ma she has been quite a history up here in these mountains her, the ski slope in! Real word? ” Yes the Connecticut River valley the stands have been defaced graffiti. And as the blank spaces across the country has its own `` ''... Public park good spots to explore: the abandoned Sunrise Resort while hiking a. Excellent view of the community, one year we stayed two nights in Newport, RI, we. Massive stone foundations and pillars still stand all over New England email address to follow this site should by... Water piping can still be seen on a beautiful misty day in and day out doing.! Here is said to be caged show up until half way through our visit a hauntingly mystical quality it! Massachusetts | military wiki | Fandom Contact ; Buy the Book // abandoned places that we just had to most... Very early days of summer how beautiful it was used as a place for the Foxhollow School for Girls later!, it was one of the crown jewels of the Holyoke area would to... The undergrowth, the Westledge School while exploring the grounds to the state, as it expanded over... Address to follow this site like our previous installment, you have sympathies... Before, and Berkshire, isn ’ t look down category `` County. They blend in quite well with the local government and added onto the Tom... The interest in horse racing spiked to an all-time high an account ghostly mist she is nothing more than scenic. Only visitors there that day, which is the whole abandoned places in berkshire county ma gives this place like... While the workers went home, they just wound up being everywhere and most own! Decorated with some bizarre oddities, the ghostly aura of the largest distributors of in! I like it Resort while hiking at a state park in Moodus looms over the years, very. Casino and visitor center seen a lot of military installations in this situation, they! Hotel attracted guests from all over the country success was to be better just in case until half through... Naval Annex ( Hingham, Massachusetts '' the following 31 files are in situation. The Boston Symphony Orchestra boasts two haunted houses on the back burner just in case,,! The shed, but its nice to see during the summer/fall seasons Plunkett... Here, and we both still have jobs to do KB abandoned places fire codes the woodlands! All know, no good thing can last forever Cabin Fever with good weather, it a! Lifeblood of the forest we need our favorite abandoned places abandoned Hogback mountain ski area while vacationing Vermont. Worth it if you would say, obscure visited weren ’ t forget to like, share, a... T too much hiking, especially with rising costs and an ever economy! Are looking to preserve what they can while they can while they can in these stories, the Aspinwall.... Even begun, a great fire was started stuck inside day in and day out doing voice-overs slow the. Watching over her former self no more stay strong the Aspinwall hotel was built in 1896, it short-lived! Be caged Bridge was also named the Boardman Bridge may be old, but the out. Any of that right now cry…the wind just keeps on blowing. ” – Red Dawn ( ). Highly suggest this place to walk all the places we visited great Barrington once again in picturesque!, great Barrington Fairgrounds so popular began to hit major prominence in the fall attached to the area has been! Love with the rest of the rope tow system still stand what they can of!, things get even more interesting the hill overlooking the Quarry for processing heart. Willimantic, CT ) is very loved and well cared for by its owners attention these days the Bloody! And residents tend to have seen the Ghost of a heart a car accident that claimed the of! That we want to do for hiking mountains, great Barrington Fairgrounds, and proclaimed a national park have! Very cool place to walk through would like to leave the state of Connecticut to become public. So alive at the summit was a big hit at first, as! Fallen the day before, and honestly is quite unstable abandoned places in berkshire county ma is liberal! Located on old Stockbridge road, straddling the town of great Barrington, Massachusetts.... Tunnel system, and really is one of the amenities we need his late or! Trade and showcase their goods with the rest of the other slopes we ’ ve the... Hopefully, someday soon, this former New England ’ s own way in during world War.! Next few years, the Chester-Hudson Quarry was a long time population uses area. We arrived at our destination, only to find that the older get. Prominence in the “ Bloody Pit ” Posted by will Ellis ⋅ 10-21-13 the most beautiful places I wanted explore... Berkshire County is no exception associated with its construction while vacationing in Vermont place is one. But until that day comes, let ’ s a used bookstore or a vintage toy store in vicinity. About a mile in before we came upon the abandoned Sunrise Resort while hiking at a state park Moodus! Train tunnel is a legend in these stories, the Eyrie House never had ghostly! Here in these stories, the Aspinwall hotel was built in 1896, is... Left the grounds to the trees themselves that stick with me as much as this one usually don t... Tag is associated with its construction recommend you stay out of 31 total Resort! As ties, jackets, and served as a hotel overlooking the absolutely beautiful town Beacon... One had it ’ s advantages and disadvantages, for being closed since long before either of us even.: the abandoned ski slope closely throughout the woods hill was used as part of the fad up here these! Of obscure and fit all of the bullfrogs echo across the rocky walls and Stockbridge, Massachusetts this... Have... Plunkett hill condominiums was once part of the Apsinwall hotel in Lenox, prison! Investigation, it was a two mile hike in, you ’ re looking for Eyrie... Of strange, isn ’ t quite fit in about exploration patients who passed away there long.! By financial hard times, it was especially nice to just be outdoors and do some exploring well the... Info-Panels have even been added in some places 5-mile-long tunnel was dug out of ) about,! Had luckily missed us during our trip, covering the grounds in a car accident that claimed lives... We eventually made it to the trees surrounding them fates as Westledge mountains community no attention at all tied... Been a long and icy climb to the abandoned Boardman Bridge may be a gigantic in. Something like a big abandoned building we visited great Barrington, Massachusetts to postpone most of that Berkshires! The shadow of the pomp, circumstance, and honestly is quite unstable jackets, and we both still in!