Chester, Pennsylvania | What Happened?

Chester, PA is one of the most run down, dangerous, and poorest cities in Pennsylvania. After the industrial decline in the 1950's, jobs were lost, businesses closed, and people had to move away from Chester. What remains are a lot of low income housing, abandoned buildings, and an overall creepy vibe throughout. Downtown is like a ghost town of sorts, abandoned in many areas, and graffiti all over the place. Crime is much higher than the national average, and the poverty level is at a very high rate of over 34% ! On the positive side of things real estate prices and cost of living is low compared to its surroundings. Let's take a drive and check it out!

[@danfannon1707]

Chester was a thriving working class town. In the early 1960s, I worked summer jobs at Sun Shipbuilding and Scott Paper Company. Both were vast businesses employing many thousands of people at wages where a man or a woman could support their entire family. When the giant industry along Chester's waterfront of the Delaware River collapsed, the entire town collapsed with it. No Jobs, No Money, No Houses as they were left to rot as workers fled the area to find employment elsewhere. There's no mystery as to why what you see in this video happened. It's the American Story writ all over a once great nation.

[@chongeiktong3426]

Dan. Is it the Scott Paper Co that makes toilet and kitchen rolls ?

[@jerrybeauchamp2311]

I live in Chester back in late 60s and till 80s went to school at chester high. Back when I was little it was great used to go to Woolworth 5 and 10 for lunch with my grandfather. Used to go to the butcher shop and the newsstand next to the train station. There was a hobby store in town. Pep boys JCPenney's Sears stoddards department store in the great leopard rolling rink My grandfather worked at sonship, my aunts and uncles own day. Very famous flower shop in Chester

[@johnchambers8528]

I worked for the county government in the 1970s and saw the decline of Chester first hand. As noted the biggest problem for Chester was the closing of several big employers that paid good wages. With the lack of jobs many people that could afford to moved out and many of the new owners were poorer and could not do a good job maintain their houses. At that time there was also two major malls built nearby which also lead to a major reduction of retail locations in downtown Chester. So with the reduction of tax income there was little the city could do to help to maintain good services. The somewhat good news was with the help of the state and county the old Sun Ship location became the Harrah’s casino and racetrack. This did provide for some better paying jobs. Latter they also got the major league soccer team located their stadium also in the city. There also was some other redevelopment but they still have a long way to go to make it a good livable city again.

[@goeachitt]

Sad, sad truth

[@r.pres.4121]

What happened to Chester, the same horrible things that happened to most other older northern US cities. Middle class flight, deindustrialization, disinvestment, increasing poverty and crime, and than total abandonment.

[@jefftube58]

The middle class leaving doesn't just happen. There are elements they became concerned with that caused them to leave.

[@HarrySmith-hr2iv]

@@jefftube58 Chester was first founded Chester UK in 79AD. The Romans built a Fort, and Amphitheatre there, and it grew into a major trading centre.

[@kevingordon9192]

I’ve been watching this guy’s videos of deprivation of ruined and abandoned neighborhoods. And I must say that it starts to bring me down. We’re heading towards end of days here. Like an avalanche of despair. The magnitude of extreme poverty around the country. I know Gary Indiana people see as the worst. But what is in the worst?? Ruins are ruins. To me, theirs no degree of poverty. Blows my mind. It’s all the same. 😞

[@theworldwariioldtimeradioc8676]

Not only a northern problem. The South, Indian Reservations, and more recently, Southern California, Portland and Seattle.

[@sergpie]

Even in their dilapidated state; these buildings show a level of detail and architectural language that is gone, lacking even in high-end developments. It saddens me to see buildings that are in a manner unique to their location, crumble away. Beyond the materiality of it, there dies with them, the story of a people in unique place and time.

[@SpettroFamily]

This is urban decay at the absolute top , just unbelaivable - but still fascinating - you're making such great videos

[@1940limited]

Even the churches are trashed. Never saw that before.

[@vickisawyer7405]

It does look like a ghost town, with people. I can see the details in the old buildings and can imagine how attractive it must have been. It is sad! Not just for the buildings but for our people who must live there...

[@robertwilber1909]

🎻

[@bigvalley4987]

People are still living there? Boy am I sheltered 😩

[@jondeak]

I grew up and played on the same streets you recorded in this video in the early 90s. Nothing has changed, the same run down buildings are there for the last 30 years. I praise my mother for somehow getting me and my siblings out of there. Now as an adult I live in beautiful California but when I see my life now and the people around it I always think to myself that no one will ever know what my eyes have seen on these streets, it shaped my soul forever.

[@JpBollin97]

Born and raised just 10 minutes away in Norwood. Been asking myself what happened to Chester for past 25 years. It's sad especially with the amount of history chester holds.

[@m42037]

Why was that big church burned down

[@briandietrich1373]

After the industrial decline in the 1950's, jobs were lost, businesses closed, and people had to move away from Chester.

[@WhimsicalHelvetesfönster]

I was curious about this place so I did some quick research and I have to say it makes it even sadder to think about all of the history Chester, PA has been a part of. It's the oldest city in PA and was settled in 1644 by the Swedish (called Upland back then), renamed to Chester in 1682 and became a city in 1866. It played a big role in both World Wars and then started declining in the 1960's. Tragic.

[@MrPlowboy66]

My mother in law was born and raised on 3rd st in Chester. She always said what a beautiful city it was in the 40's and 50's.

[@ericaswensonelliott]

My grandparents SWENSON lived there - writing a book about their lives right now- based on their 1930 then WW2 letters Chester Strong - worked Sun Ship and Oil ♥️ powerful people our ancestors no wonder the …

[@georgehewett5539]

Truly sad. I can almost hear the buildings calling out for someone to help them.

[@FactsCountdown]

Buildings are non living things so they become useless when nobody lives their

[@kellysavage7073]

I know what you mean. As he drives by you can in your mind hear the buildings crying.

[@nannerl6243]

They must have looked so nice when they were new.

[@monsterglo]

My thoughts exactly, extremely sad as the buildings were all new at one time, people shopped, laughed enjoyed life all gone in the blink of an 👁‍🗨 ppl need to wake up , it could be their town next 😢

[@davidtoups4684]

I've noticed that in a lot of these videos, the houses look like a war zone, but the cars parked in front are, for the most part, newer models that appear in decent shape. I've spotted Infinitis, Jaguars, BMWs, Lexus and even a Range Rover! Does anyone else find this odd?

[@joeflahavan2650]

Quite a lot of nice new cars parked outside these run down buildings. Guess it depends on priorities.

[@collentreefelling9142]

Big nice cars!

[@christiano2444]

That is what I saw in all the documentaries all big new cars. Well not in this one because no people live in these houses.

[@lawrences8411]

Man, you put your life at risk so that we can have an easy experience of this place. Let me express my utmost gratitude for going there and filming for us.

[@hoodsnhollers]

Thanks for watching!

[@briandietrich1373]

You answered the question in your description: After the industrial decline in the 1950's, jobs were lost, businesses closed, and people had to move away from Chester. Sending industry off shore is/was the biggest scam on America since the 401K.

[@josephinemiller4780]

Chester is one of the top 100 most dangerous cities in the US. That church 😭

[@lindapietrasz8070]

You can tell by the church's still-standing outer walls, that is was once beautiful. Totally sad.

[@flyingspirit3549]

The burned-out church was Third Presbyterian, a magnificent edifice built in 1872. It was gutted by a five-alarm fire on May 28, 2020.

[@chrispinchak1511]

Top 100? It usually ranks in the top 5, and has had the title several years.

[@Johnthedagger]

I served with a guy in the Navy from Chester and he unfortunately died in Africa while working after he got out. He was a character and many of his old shipmates still talk about him to this day. RIP Norm

[@GeorgeFitness-yo8bl]

Oldest city in Pennsylvania. Unbelievable urban decay

[@damnationdefied777]

Chester is a terrible place to be. I avoid driving there especially at night.

[@theboywithathorninhisside.4179]

You obviously haven't visited its original name sake in England. UK. Now that's deprived

[@Whyyoumadcuz__]

Not worse than philly

[@Teeveepicksures]

what...you dont like Harrah's?

[@diane1390]

Things must have been much better there at one time! Did they lose major employers, or was it something else?

[@johan8724]

@@theboywithathorninhisside.4179 but they have a nice zoo there.

[@chicagorobb3956]

I worked at the former power plant in 2010. A building caving in on itself was right by the office. My former employer moved out of there, aspeople were being mugged in the parking lot.

[@lindadempsey4910]

I can’t believe you went to Chester. Even the police don t go in to Chester.

[@hoodsnhollers]

Check out the other uploads on the channel, I get into some adventures for sure

[@michaeljeffery7466]

Jesus.

[@lindadempsey4910]

We used to call Chester the armpit of the world. I’m just glad you’re ok

[@mikegeary8056]

It’s crazy the connected houses where one one will be abandoned and destroyed and next to it people are living.

[@patriciaanne7932]

I caught a glimpse of that old movie theater with the marquee. I just had to come back and say that I have driven around these cities and taken photos of these signs. I'm 63 and from New York. Those neon lights always amazed me. Thank you for sharing. Stay safe my friend.

[@hoodsnhollers]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@aliciawilliams2410]

- this breaks my heart. so much of my family is still there. it was way different in the 90s.

[@search4truth104]

I would love to see before and after pictures of some of the buildings. Looks like it was a nice place long ago.

[@SMILEYSMILE4]

IT WAS I WAS RAISED WEST 6TH STREET ACROSS FROM JOE'S LUMBER YARD.

[@mrmartywaring]

I was born & raised in Chester. Growing up there, we had a sense of pride. It's sad to see what has become of it. However, we will get back to the glory days. #whatchestermakesmakeschester

[@enitenit2791]

I grew up near West Chester, and it's crazy to see this. I knew that West Chester had to be west of Chester, but I never imagined that this is what Chester looked like. It's hauntingly beautiful

[@1940limited]

Poor kitty at 2:52. I hope someone gives him a home.

[@lindapietrasz8070]

Oh I saw that and thought the same. 😿

[@1940limited]

@@lindapietrasz8070 Very sad. Cats are almost like people.😞

[@rob5763]

Amen to that.

[@tuttifrutti5300]

Sad, what is happening to America. Alot of homeless and bad areas, that seem to be ignored by the media, and forgotten by celebs in Hollywood. Why? As if they don't excist. I hope times will change, I love the USA. Greetings all the way from the Netherlands.

[@joansmith5870]

Growing up in urban Philadelphia I saw Chester as a jewel. It was clean and beautiful. That was way back in the late 1950's. Very sad to see this place now.

[@l.salisbury1253]

DAMN! This is as bad- if not WORSE- than a lot of the Detroit neighborhoods you've given us a tour thru...

[@SpettroFamily]

i think the same - this is the top

[@jayjaynella4539]

I agree. Truly stunning in its depression atmosphere. And row upon row of ugly apartment buildings. Hard to see any well maintained buildings. And the sight of the church was pitiful. Only a few people outside in Chester. Trees growing in the abandoned buildings.

[@redriveral2764]

Having lived in the Detroit area for 64 years I agree- Chester is a lot worse.

[@danielthoman7324]

@@redriveral2764 Gary Indiana is even worse than Chester. 🤮🤮

[@sisterstonerock]

what interesting looking buildings. just trying to imagine what it was like when it was thriving. Thank you, HnH and safe trails!

[@hoodsnhollers]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@rudybellomo4865]

Kudos to you for having the courage to drive into that area, thanks for sharing this video.

[@hoodsnhollers]

Thanks for watching!

[@kenmckee7536]

Going by the burnt out church... even God's moved out..such a shame all those closed shops and businesses..it must have been a good place to live at one time..

[@nicolejennings2958]

He said even God moved out😂

[@greg2976]

It's great that you filmed this in the winter time! It adds to the depressing image of the town!

[@thejudgmentalcat]

That pie-slice-shaped building at the beginning reminds me of a similarly-shaped but completely brick building we had here in Battle Creek until a few years ago. So much of Chester is gone now. I'm surprised it was so quiet...I expected a horde of tranq addicts stumbling around 😢

[@dianamarie5663]

I love those Flatiron buildings.

[@jacobkudrowich]

Truly saddened by the state of those formerly beautiful homes

[@kinsley7777]

@@dianamarie5663 aha ! .. thank YOU ! I was trying to recall what those are called and up popped the answer … I’m from Mass. and I just love the older, unusual architecture … you have a wonderful week …

[@teddibayer]

That church shell was really tragic (10:40). Such a beautiful building at one time.

[@truthadvocacy]

7:05 The church looks in good condition.

[@phil2u48]

Sad. I used to drive up to NYC from NC in the late ‘60’s and I would do an overnight in Chester. As someone noted, it had an interesting architectural aesthetic and there were a couple of good restaurants for dinner. In addition, the people were hospitable. I eventually gave up driving I-95, preferring I-81 through the mountains, and Carlisle became my rest stop.

[@bookmagicroe9553]

This makes me so sad. So many poor and forlorn areas in our country...

[@TheRealJerseyJoe]

Looks post-apocalyptic ! Great episode as always... stay safe.

[@hoodsnhollers]

Thanks for watching!

[@jgbaren]

These people live like this yet they all drive nicer cars than mine. SMH

[@truthadvocacy]

Yes, strange. Where do they get the money?

[@edwinchristmann1933]

I had to go to Chester 20 years ago for business. They had armed guards in the parking lots which were all fenced in. A tragic example of what has happened to our country.

[@brycewiborg8095]

That blows my mind. I haven't been near Chester in years, but it was a busy place. Thank you.

[@hoodsnhollers]

Thanks so much for watching Bryce!

[@WhackyWeiner]

You should visit Suches Ga. It's a beautiful yet eerie place. Going along US Forest route 42 there's so many empty homes and dilapidated buildings. I walked the country roads into town when I was in the Appalachian trail. Completely beautiful place forgotten by time.

[@czickgraf]

I used to teach in Chester. It looks like it was bombed out in war.

[@collette332]

What school? My mom taught at Jeffries ( long gone) and I started my teaching career there as a sub in 1976. Moved away shortly after that. It was going downhill for a long time.

[@staceycarmody9970]

The church at 10:47, I believe is the burned down 3rd Street Presbyterian Church. I was there when it was still standing, it was an outreach center for those in need. Huge place. So sad.

[@thesadsealion280]

As someone that grew up in Chester this only scratches the surface

[@sunydigital]

Anybody remember the big sign in the sky, "What Chester Makes, Makes Chester" that I use to see as a kid when I lived in Essington? My dad worked at the shipyard, back in the day.

[@Meanoldwoman2013]

My late father and mother in law owned and ran a trailer park in Chester. One day the Commonwealth came and bought them out. Exit Ramp for I 95. They took the money and left for better horizons!

[@johndavy3073]

Your car speed was just perfect for a vid like this. You made it more meaningful. Every time we ask 'What Happened?' we gain more understanding.

[@johngalanti1010]

The people that live in the town need to reclaim it! This is unbelievable 😳

[@voodookitchenmama]

Unreal! I remember Chester from when I was a kid back in the late 50's early 60's. How sad it is now.

[@chiefjim8178]

Breaks my heart to see my hometown destroyed. I grew up in the 1960s when it was booming.😢

[@b.michaelbrown1117]

Believe it or not, theres still a "spirit" in chester waiting to shine through. Started working in the city a year ago. Frequent a lot of the local places on my lunch break. It still has character.

[@jiggybucksington]

The jaguar parked in front of the house on the street full of bandos is the epitome of hood rich

[@hartmutlorentzen9659]

For an European it’s interesting to see this American way of life.

[@JH-th9th]

saw the night time ride...THANK YOU....its such a shame that this once beautiful town is decaying...I guess everything does pass through life !

[@popgibb3485]

Don't worry, everything will be just fine. As long as our sports teams are doing well and there's plenty of beer to drink.

[@lindapietrasz8070]

Inexcusable! The amount of people still living in some of these residences in complete disregard for their residences. Garbage everywhere there is absolutely no excuse for that. Take some pride in your property, whether you rent or own. It's a total reflection of the kind of person you are.

[@lizzysbeautyshowetc.6895]

Exactly my sentiments exactly

[@greggmclaughlin9047]

They do have a brand new prison. Oh and a casino.

[@susanfaulkner2304]

Same problem with Passaic N.J. The late '60's saw a downslide and many people moved away.

[@deborahchesser7375]

Same damn thing that happened in NE Oh and countless other hard working towns, greed, corruption, and finally abandonment, sad✌️🇺🇸

[@mathewmiller7735]

My college roommate at Princeton came from Chester, but I,m sure it didn’t,t look this way in 1958.

[@maryray8208]

I grew up in Chester/Feltonville!! Started to decline even back in the late sixties and seventies!! There was lack of jobs, drugs and gang troubles then also.

[@williamschlenger1518]

This place makes Camden look like Disney land 🤔

[@hoodsnhollers]

The only thing missing are the atv's running around lol

[@shaunmyers3562]

Chester, PA the city that I was born in 😢

[@laurab7379]

So sad indeed! I know quite a few people who lived or had grandparents n Chester in the 70's when it started to decline rapidly. they need to take down all the empty buildings which become a drug haven! The buildings where people live they need to take down the one next door which is in some cases burnt out from fires! When they leave them sit for decades it means trouble for the folks living there. Notice they don't even repair the streets. Boarded up houses should not exist. Repair them or take them down.

[@edwardmiessner6502]

Chester looks like it will be the first city to be completely abandoned. Horrible, just horrible.

[@cardiffchris]

2:50 life is hard on the little creatures.

[@braised44]

The taggers make the urban decay look even worse!

[@izzyj9978]

It's sad because I know people from some of these areas and they are just as broken and beat down as the buildings

[@Groovy2080]

The rapper mr.ill from the late 90's was from Chester pa he was good on the mic!🔥💯

[@frankb.1546]

At least the sidewalks aren’t littered (for the most part) and there’s no tents

[@mickeygibbs5428]

A lot of credit goes out to the guy at 4:10 who won't let his depressing surroundings bring him down 😂

[@thomasbruner854]

Rode thru there about 30 yrs ago, looks pretty much the same!

[@ericaswensonelliott]

My ancestors lived here from 1930-1990s- it was teeming with life in the 1930s - brutal - only God can save us all now 🙏

[@hoodsnhollers]

Thank you so much Erica!

[@caroljanowski3567]

Looks like a nice place to raise a family

[@robertmark341]

It looked like a nice place to live back in the day.

[@robertwilber1909]

the day was 80 years ago

[@HitchHikersBlues]

Can't imagine anywhere in that country would be nice to live nowadays. But you never know.

[@ByronWalter]

I'm glad you are doing the driving and not me. Must be a peachy place to hang out after sundown ;)

[@hoodsnhollers]

I'll do a night version of this in the summer when it gets busy!

[@Piggy-Oink-Oink]

Chester is the worst city in PA and there's a whole lot of them. One of those burned out shells still costs about 16,000.00

[@oluhamilton2121]

That's CRAZY.

[@nicolefillie5785]

I can’t believe what I’m seeing, this is my home town that I was born looking like a ghost town this is so sad 😢 I can imagine how the hospital looks

[@goldstandardaviation1667]

One day your neighborhood will be just like this one. Wait for it.

[@Meanoldwoman2013]

Hardly.

[@ZeldaFitz]

It looks like a council estate in the north of England 😊

[@christophermaulden733]

The Council Estates in Gateshead , Tyne and Wear , England looks rather nice and maintained . Chester , Pennsylvania looks like Armageddon . 🤷‍♂️

[@jmd1743]

I always felt that it would be cool to rebuild entire neighborhoods to your architecture tastes in a decent jobs market like Detroit & offer the homes at a decent price that's enough to break even & start on another neighborhood of different type of architecture. I think the biggest thing that's holding Detroit back is how empty it is in many areas which makes it feel really scary to live in even if crime has gone down substantially. So perhaps the government plan should be to offer a few free newly built modest homes to young couples in area of say 20 homes just to jump start the population to give a human presence to deter crime and make others feel safe.

[@sherrythegypsysalzman7032]

Very sad....some beautiful old buildings- hard to believe they aren't even worth being torn down... Not sure of all that happened; but it sure didn't happen overnight.

[@chillbest14]

Everybody has that one guy who stands in the middle of the block and does that

[@johnmartin7182]

Awesome content thanks for your time to do this video big fan of your channel

[@hoodsnhollers]

Thanks so much again for watching John, I appreciate it!

[@shakirahgraham211]

My hometown 😢

[@BlueGoat682]

I watch these bleak cloudy travel vids and it just makes me appreciate living in Florida that much more.

[@glenn3914]

last time i saw checter was the early 80s , and it was bad back then,....what a shame, its better if they level 1/2 the city and start over, i remember the church, its sad to see it burned down, it was a beautiful structure

[@McLovin1759]

I remember being in Philadelphia a handful of years ago on business with a colleague. Decided to take in a soccer game at the new Stadium which happened to be in Chester. Didn’t have a car so we got dropped off. After the game, just assumed we could get a cab. Couldn’t find a single one. Started walking and went to a gas station to see if we could call one. An officer with the K-9 unit was filling up. He said, you really shouldn’t be out here. Cabs don’t come here. If you head to our station, you should be reasonably safe there and can call for a ride. I remember thinking… “reasonably safe… at the police station??” In the end, we did actually find a cab on the way… days before Uber… got back to the hotel safe and sound without incident.

[@sonnyroy497]

2:50 kitty cat 😺.

[@bartolomeestebanmurillo4459]

The fate of so many post-industrial cities and towns.

[@collentreefelling9142]

Was there a war here?

[@KayKay_72]

I remember going to Chester from DC in the early 90's and thinking, "Damn this is disolate and boring." Main Street was dead, like Mayberry. Haven't been back since like 95'.

[@strobolazer4082]

Chester PA has got to be one of the most terrifying places to be. This place is no joke, the police doesn't show up and you are really on your own.

[@maticbukovac6966]

So there are some new cars around also, but I am kind of trying to get into these people's head. All the new cars seem to be in one street of really modest small two story houses. What are these people thinking? Is it: we want to leave, but we cannot afford to move? We will just weather this apocalypse out in or little street? Do they invest in their little modest houses when everything else around them is falling apart? And if their next door neigbours leave and abandon the house, will their then also start to fall apart? What is their view of the future?

[@oluhamilton2121]

Can't understand or unsee this.

[@nweye]

Dude at 4:08 was fun.

[@hoodsnhollers]

LOL yeah that was great

[@southphillyhillbilly]

Seeing you drive threw what was or is named the loop brings back a ton of memories,there was a point where Chester had 2 troopers for every CPD Squad car, I think did it again in the recent past… its sad what has happened here. Good ole Chester City DELCO 🙏🏼

[@dogbark8388]

Super coo place to live ( at one time ) . Love the church at 10:40 . Classic !

[@lighthousesanddaisies2711]

Depressing. Anyone know what happened to that church around the 10:35 mark? Looked like it was beautiful at one point, but now only the exterior walls remain.

[@nakiapollard4093]

It was set on fire I googled it

[@DefensisIndus]

Make those streets cobble stone, clean up those houses, put up some classy street lamps and it'll look like da east coast again.