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I'm sure many of you have either been to this location or know a bit about it. So I will try to keep the history lesson brief this time.
Built in the early 1900s as a Tuberculosis Sanatorium the complex is far from the city and sits at around 1500 feet in elevation. This makes for some spectacular rooftop views! After tuberculosis became more a less a thing of the past the complex was used for treating people with mental and physical disabilities. Much of the hospital closed for good in the early 90s. However, some of the newer buildings were used as offices and the like for another 10 years or so.
As with most of these old hospitals, the elements, scrappers and vandals have been less than kind to the structures. This is the first place I ever explored, I have been back several times since and I enjoy it just as much each visit. It is still my favorite of all the places I have been. It's combination of architecture and rural setting make it a special place in my mind.
Two friend of mine who I regularly explore with had not been here. It was about time to change that! So on a gorgeous fall day, with small rain and snow showers popping up randomly I gave them the grand tour.
Life After People:
 024 by August Hedderich, on Flickr
Welcome Back:
 018 by August Hedderich, on Flickr
The jewels of your crown, hold them in my arms:
 011 by August Hedderich, on Flickr
I want to live where the green grass grows:
 030 by August Hedderich, on Flickr
My front porch:
 033 by August Hedderich, on Flickr
Obligatory hallway shot:
 035 by August Hedderich, on Flickr
They don't make em like the used to:
 044 by August Hedderich, on Flickr
You're giving me nothing but shattered dreams, shattered dreams:
 051 by August Hedderich, on Flickr
Birds flying high, you know how I feel:
 059 by August Hedderich, on Flickr
Two tone:
 074 by August Hedderich, on Flickr
Rural rooftopping:
 076 by August Hedderich, on Flickr
Storm cloud brewing on the lake:
 062 by August Hedderich, on Flickr
Mother Nature's painting hangs on the wall:
 085 by August Hedderich, on Flickr
Jolly Green Giants:
 106 by August Hedderich, on Flickr
One of these things is not like the others:
 137 by August Hedderich, on Flickr
Forgotten inventory:
 139 by August Hedderich, on Flickr
Hydrotherapy:
 153 by August Hedderich, on Flickr
Short line for the ferris wheel today:
 183 by August Hedderich, on Flickr
The forest consumes all:
 199 by August Hedderich, on Flickr
Sunset Boulevard, don't fade away. We'll take a walk in the dark:
 211 by August Hedderich, on Flickr
A time to reflect:
 015 by August Hedderich, on Flickr
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Wow. Gorgeous in the fall... nice shots!
"What is your favorite thing about Belchertown?"
"...the history, man" |
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Very good coverage!!!
ECUE |
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Wow! Great set...I think I need a tour!
now with 20% less clown vomit... |
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Posted by southshore
Wow. Gorgeous in the fall... nice shots!
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Thanks! This was actually the first time I have been there in the fall, it won't be the last! It was a eclectic mix of weather as well, we had sunshine, clouds, rain and snow throughout the afternoon.
Post by krush
Very good coverage!!! |
Thanks dude! I tried to get a few of the "usuals" the dome, rooftop views etc. Mixed with a few spots I don't see photographed very often.
Post by Der_Krampus
Wow! Great set...I think I need a tour! |
Thank you! This was my sixth time here, I think I have been over about every inch of the place. If you would ever like to set up a tour just let me know lol!
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Gorgeous, this is at the top of my "must see" list if I can ever deal with the six hour drive.
https://www.flickr...62837453@N07/sets/
http://www.tfpnj.blogspot.com |
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I thought I heard that this place was patrolled a lot and/or had a state police camper.
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Posted by EsseXploreR
Gorgeous, this is at the top of my "must see" list if I can ever deal with the six hour drive.
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This was my first visit in the Fall and it's truly amazing this time of year! The six hour drive up here is totally worth it, especially considering how many other locations we have up here in WNY.
Hell I've made the 5 hour drive down to The Catskills the last two years to explore for a couple days.
If you do make the trip up here drop me a line!!
Post by dbfoto
I thought I heard that this place was patrolled a lot and/or had a state police camper. |
I had heard similar rumors. Especially after several groups of teenagers were arrested there summer of last year. I had held off a return trip due to that.
But I heard from a few people who had been in with no problems so we decided to risk it. Besides some old people in a 80s Cadillac who were cruising around the area when we first got there we did not run into anyone, or see any signs of stepped up security.
The well worn path we took from the road leads me to believe the place is still visited by explorers and local kids frequently. FWIW this was my sixth visit and have yet to have any issues or run into anyone on the grounds.
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Great work here man, maybe not as risky a spot anymore - but still safe to take a longer route in and park remotely.
I have been very curious to know if and where the Morgue is here, I didn't see it when I went and a comment in a youtube video states that the person who posted the video found the morgue below the dining hall, which is the green domed room - weird to be eating meals above the bodies of your former hospital-mates!!
http://www.freaktography.com
https://www.facebook.com/Freaktography https://instagram.com/freaktography www.youtube.com/c/Freaktography |
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Posted by Freaktography
Great work here man, maybe not as risky a spot anymore - but still safe to take a longer route in and park remotely.
I have been very curious to know if and where the Morgue is here, I didn't see it when I went and a comment in a youtube video states that the person who posted the video found the morgue below the dining hall, which is the green domed room - weird to be eating meals above the bodies of your former hospital-mates!!
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I consistently hear stories and rumors about people getting kicked out and/or arrested here. But in all the times I have been I haven't so much as seen another person inside or a cop in the vicinity. Maybe I'm sneaky and careful enough, or maybe I'm just lucky. Either way I'll continue going here.
The lack of morgue has always bugged me. I thought maybe we just had missed it somehow. But I have been in literally every room of every building at this point and have found nothing that resembles a morgue. Under the kitchen are several large walk in coolers and freezers. Possibly that person mistook those for a morgue as some are quite large. Having dead bodies right near food would be a massive health risk, I'm sure they realized that even back when the place was built.
That being said there MUST have been a morgue at one time. TB was a deadly disease and the place has a freaking on site graveyard. My theory is that once it was re-purposed as a home for disabled people they removed all remnants of the morgue, as it was no longer needed and surely would be disturbing for most patients and workers. The room was then used for other things.
The only Youtube video I know of is by a user called insulation king. I have talked with him about the place and he told me he did not find a morgue. I have also heard rumors of a tunnel connecting the complex to the houses across the street. If any such tunnel exists it has been sealed off.
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Your pictures are absolutely gorgeous. Fav:085
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Nice work bud!
Zen and the art of infiltration...
http://www.flikr.com/photos/zenslens
Zen is an uber explorer, a demi god of craning and purveyor of the finer things in life. |
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Nice reflection in that last one! This place looks sick even though it appears to have seen better days
http://www.flickr....jasonjacksonphoto/ |
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I don't know how i missed these until now, Swan, i think you have made one of your best sets with these pics. Beautiful columns and stairwell, Shattered Dreams is lovely. The fall colors in the rooftop shot is Awwww SOooooo Delicious! Awesome Work!
A place of Mystery is Always worth a curiosity trip!
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Beautiful TheSwanStation. Wuv the stained glass and the stairs.
Just when I thought I was out... they pulled me back in.
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Thank you all for the kind words!! I am happy to see how much everyone likes this place! The weather this day made for some excellent shots. The mix of sun, snow and rain along with the fall colors made for a very picturesque afternoon.
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Awesome take on the place. Good to know the cops/ neighbors chilled out a bit
http://www.flickr....otos/96576503@N00/ |
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Just echoing the posts prior to this. Awesome set. Really want to head out there at some point. I will let you know when I am headed out that way!
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Awesome. Love the photos but my easy fave is "Rural rooftopping"..couldn't ask for a better view than that! I'd love to visit sometime.
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Posted by Sanitarium Sean
Awesome. Love the photos but my easy fave is "Rural rooftopping"..couldn't ask for a better view than that! I'd love to visit sometime.
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Thanks! The view is spectacular. That shot was taken from a little tower on top of one of the buildings. Easily my favorite spot in the complex. If you end up making it out to Western New York this is one of the locations we would hit up for sure!
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