Like at home in the UK there are certain locations in the USA which are true longstanding icons of urban exploration. Places that are instantly recognisable to everyone connected with the hobby, to remarks such as 'oh it's THAT place' etc etc.

One of these such places is a former tuberculosis sanatorium nestled deep in a very rural part of the country. I can remember looking at photos of the place years back, long before I had any real interest or drive in American exploring and thinking it looked awesome. Never did I really think I would be able to explore it myself years down the line. However most people who have explored this place will automatically say one thing - that it's an absolute bitch to do without getting the police called on you. It's located on top of a hill in a tiny town, and the residents are so finely tuned to look out for strangers holding camera gear as they walk through the streets towards it that they have been known to call police there and then. A few years back my friends got stormed by armed police and arrested, and arrests were commonplace here until a couple of years back. Now as the buildings are too decayed and dangerous for them to enter the police will just sit outside and issue you a heavy fine for your trouble. But hey, that's better than getting arrested.

Luckily, none of that happened on my visit!

The absolute best thing about this place is that it is built sunk into a hill, so when you are in the site there is almost zero outside noise, the road that runs past is pretty quiet at the best of times but it's almost creepy just how dead silent it is in there. Our only company all day came in the form of a number of vultures circling overhead. The state of decay in here having been closed for two decades is amazing, and very photogenic. The outside architecture of the place is equally stunning and all beginning to fall apart as well, with balconies crumbling and roofs collapsing. I really enjoyed it here as you can probably tell.

SwanStation was a brilliant guide as well, and a great person to explore with at long last. Only took me five trips across the pond to meet you!

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Thanks for looking :

*SIGH* : My bucket-list trip.

Amazing job, Mooks.

So shitty to see the graffiti everywhere, but fantastic set otherwise.

I've been waiting to see these shots!! You certainly did not disappoint bud! I love to see peoples take on the place. I never realized how much I have taken it for granted until just this year when I have heard multiple people say this spot has been on their "bucket list". I guess I never thought about it since it's so close to me and it was the first place I ever explored.

I'm glad you enjoyed your visit, I had a blast giving you the grand tour. Your shot of the steam generators is most impressive, it's not easy to get all those in one shot and looking good.

Edster: If you ever find yourself up this way drop me a line, I would be more than willing to give you the tour.


Essex: Fortunately the graffiti is, for the most part, confined to a few areas. The auditorium being one of the worst hit as of late. I will have to go back in my archives and find shots from some of my first visits before that room got all tagged up.

Yeah I would say out of all the graffiti there about 80% of it is the stupid tags in the more modern building, the rest is largely alright still.

Ed I'm surprised you haven't been here already :p

It really sucks that it's been so vandalized, but even with the spray paint, it just looks so pleasant. Another awesome set from you.

Great shots man, Its been a while since Ive been there. Sad to see that dining hall taking so much water damage.

1, 5 and the colors of 17 are just awesome! Glad you made it!

Someday.. Someday haha.

Great shots! Love the one where the rusted parts are all categorized and still have the tags under them!