Exploring an Abandoned Art Deco School - 30 years after people left

Inside a small American town lies a school where the last class graduated almost 30 years ago. Built in the 1920s, this art deco school was a structure of accomplishment during the United States greatest years. Limestone in the hallways, to ornate iron work inside the gymnasium and throughout the school, the details show how old and how much hand-made human craftmansshift was put into this educational structure. Many items such as old desks, vintage lighting and some dated electronics are some of items we will be seeing inside this great example of a time capsule.
This is one of my favorite school explores I've done, as it shows not only how time moves so slow, yet fast. Technology has had such a boom within the last 20 years, places like this feel ancient, yet effective in that way.It also shows how quickly architecture changed from grandeur, to bricks and tile when it comes to the education system in america.
if you enjoyed this trip into the past. let me know by leaving a thumbs up ! and consider subscribing for more exploring content and abandoned videos and leave a comment letting me know what you think !
Thanks for watching, and have a good day
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[@DarkExploration]

what was your favorite class you ever took ?

[@cmoonshinez]

gaming..

[@rvman3359]

Stained glass art when I was in high school. Best teacher. Listened to Reggae all the time. Awesome.

[@deboradebinha2405]

Boa noite um bom final de semana para você 🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷

[@feathercatcher]

Pottery, I think they called it Art.

[@bellestarryounger691]

Back when that school was thriving, it was like the way things used to be. You took all classes. Spelling, math, history, science ..and may I add, said the Pledge of alliance with your hand over your heart while looking at the flag.

[@howeracer]

I graduated from this school (MUCS) in 1977. The storage room in the back of the science lab was also the dark room for the photo club. After graduating I went in the Navy and was a Photographer for 20 years. I was also on the school’s rifle team and there was a small range in the basement.

[@tamarabutler522]

Thank you so much for posting this. I went to this school until I graduated. It was the greatest place to grow up! I graduated in 1982 and then my kids went to the Elementary School until both schools merged with another. That was the girls locker room that you saw last and the house next door was offices to the school. This is so heartbreaking to see but also brought back so many great memories. The whole town used to be like one big family. I saw two of my classmates names engraved on the wall, lol. They have been caught, lol. I love that you do this with such respect. The town has quite the history and its too bad you couldn't find out more about it. Thanks again.

[@apocyldoomer]

So, Tamara, do you know what year this school was built, the uploader gives 2 different years, 1920’s, than he said “built during the 50’s. So, what year is correct, if you know. Thanks.

[@TheScarletteWhisper]

I love seeing comments like this of personal experiences at locations. Thank you for sharing ☺️

[@flany1969]

Built in the 1930's I believe

[@neta565]

That must have been cool for you to see this.🙂

[@gabrielajimenez6508]

I never been to this school, but I am out of range of 27J school dicrect. it's called spectra austum center. the adrress is 7205 W 120th AVE. Broomfeld CO 80020. just go to google maps I will drop you the link of the school.just hit the link and you will find it.maps.app.goo.gl/vWAhYNwfWcBsokUz8

[@goretasticcat]

Hi! The “town” is Mount Upton. It’s actually a hamlet. I live near here. This is the largest building in hamlet. Sadly, the school is locked from the outside unless you have permission from the owners. There was an asbestos problem. The school ended up closing to merge with the school in the village nearby, Gilbertsville. They merged to make the current pre-k through 12 school in the area. People in this small hamlet want to see it turned into something new, such as a recreational center for the youth!

[@AlexanderComics]

I never thought I’d see a video of this old school. I live in the town that this school is in and it is really sad to see in the state that it’s in. But just a little information for anyone that watches this video, the reason the school shut down is because it’s riddled with lead and asbestos. I’m actually a little concerned that you went in there with no mask or any form of protection. The elementary and high school were in separate buildings. I went to kindergarten in the elementary building down the street. This was in 1993-1994 so that’s around the time student stop going to school in these buildings. After that, I went to school in the new merged building. One little oddity about the high school is that the art room was attached to the bus garage and the school office was a whole separate building in itself in front of the bus garage/art room. The office building honestly is very close to collapsing, which is a shame. The people that live in the town the school is in really want the whole property renovated but it isn’t because it unfortunately would cost too much money Edit: another final note is that the school was erected in 1934, not the 50s. Also another oddity about the school is that the rifle range was in the basement underneath the gym

[@arossy209]

My parents went to school here. They are in their 60's now. Dad asked mom out in middle school in the library. They are still together and still live close by. My mom also played a lot of sports there... she's not THAT old lol. We have old home videos of basketball games and the gymnastics show they put on in the gym there. Glad they let you check it out.

[@tamibarrows8587]

This was my school. The reason it was abandoned was because it was loaded with asbestos and the state demanded the school district get the kids out and into a new building. The district could not afford to build a new building so they had to reach out to other districts to merge. Only one district said yes and the rest was history. I was there when we merged. I was there before we merged.. I was there when we moved into the new building. I have the yearbook that tells the whole story in 1989, several years before the new building was built. Hope you wore a mask!

[@TheDJDiabla]

It would be cool to see the yearbook info if you're able to post it.

[@gabrielajimenez6508]

I think the school would be great for me to learn art. I think this the place to explore.

[@joannesorg2963]

I appreciate how respectful you always are of the different places you visit. My favorite class was art. Take care and watch your step!

[@flany1969]

That is what meant so much to me as well. I attended until my sophomore year when my family moved. Your perspective made the video especially enjoyable because you knew nothing of the school's history. You were respectful and you honored the ruins despite the condition. You were awesome and I thank you so very much.

[@karlihinman6721]

I live just across the road from this school, my dad graduated from there. I've always wondered what the inside looked like!

[@alannasimpson6710]

This was my old school.... I moved from the district before high-school but I went to dances in that auditorium with my cousins who still went there. My mom graduated from there, late 60's and at one time it was a registered bomb shelter back in the day... when the school district merged with Gilbertsville, someone (private citizen) bought the property and just let it rot.... damn shame really.

[@ronwade5433]

The worst graffiti I saw as a teacher was from teachers. The worst bullies I witnessed as a teacher were school administrators, and teachers. The worst sexual deviants I learned about in education were educators, and administrators. Kids are great, it's the damn Teachers and Administrators you have to watch!

[@flany1969]

Totally agree. Thank you for your candor. Its the main reason I couldn't wait to go to another school when we moved, despite the fact I attended MU from kindergarten to the beginning of 10th grade. Loved my class.

[@chatticheswick4939]

9:58 Zotz was a candy. It was like a hard candy with a center that would start to fizz/foam when the outer layers dissolved. You'd look like a rabid dog when you got to the center.

[@DarkExploration]

Thanks for informing me and others!

[@user-jf4ku2kr6t]

And it still exists! A store near me sells them and kids seem to like them still

[@dallasguy3306]

I've subbed you for years, observing how you've elevated your channel in all aspects: locations, cinematography, editing and music. Your content is primo. You're approaching The Proper People, and that's saying something.

[@kristen6885]

You also remind me a lot of Noah Nowhere with all of your documentation and trying to find the back story of each location you visit along with the aesthetics and music!

[@sherimcdaniel3491]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@hi.panorama]

@@kristen6885 I spent a lot of time watching exploration at Noah Nowhere, but I stopped doing that some time ago. My impression is that the videos are less polished; there's a lot of them, but they're not varied. There used to be a cool intro, now it's gone.... However, I have noticed that Noah writes back to every unflattering comment, and that's pretty much his only interaction with viewers (apart from constantly thanking them for their coffee). I've given myself a break ;)

[@mojo3008]

Remember when you went to school and the teachers actually taught you something worth learning?

[@ashleigh_whatever]

I recently went to one of my old primary schools, I couldn't get inside but took lots of pics of the poor old abandoned place

[@DarkExploration]

Must be a rush of emotions

[@ashleigh_whatever]

@@DarkExploration it really was. The school was built in 1896 and closed in 2021. It’s been heritage listed. My grandfather’s grandfather was the school principal when it was built. So many emotions.

[@lindagessling8376]

I went to school here ..I was in 6th grade in 1996..going onto 7th in the new school on rt 51..omg thanks for these memories can't believe this school went downhill

[@user-rp8wj1xj8h]

Graduated in 1973 from MUCHS. Thank you for the outstanding tour of the school. What a shame the building is just rotting away.

[@markcharles2819]

Your respect for these abandoned buildings is amazing. Very professional exploration videos.

[@valerieweiler2402]

I taught Spanish there in Mt. Upton 1986-89. Terrible asbestos levels in that beautiful old building, from what I heard...

[@shellymill1984]

I was in middle school around the time this school closed. Sad to imagine what it must’ve been like and the life and laughter that ran through them halls..

[@rvman3359]

Dude, loved that intro music. Very fitting. Still think about those art light fixtures at that mortuary. Would love to have one of those. This school reminds me a lot of my old school. When is the last time anyone saw urinals that go to the floor? They had them in my elementary school. Great find. Thanks

[@TheDJDiabla]

I grew up in this town, Mount Uptom, NY. My parents and grandmother still live there. I attended 4-6th grade in this building before we all moved over to the newly built school in Gilbertsville (the district we merged with). That new building opened in 1994.

[@wtfBrad]

I remember Bazooka Joe. Loved the comics - hated the gum. lol Another great explore man. Thanks for bringing us along.

[@DarkExploration]

The gum was hard as a rock after 5 chews 😂 thanks as always Brad you're the man

[@wtfBrad]

@@DarkExploration Yes. I think saliva turned the gum to concrete. lol Always deserved my friend. You always come through with the content.

[@Benyapmin]

Found your channel a while ago and you’ve been such a great sleep aid for me! Not calling you boring just the settings of your videos are very calming and it’s nice to hear you talk about the history of it all :) Thank you for posting these videos

[@DarkExploration]

Thank you! Glad I can help relax you

[@milquest]

Glad to know I'm not the only one who listens to Urbex videos to sleep 😂

[@kalinacopestake9179]

Great channel and very calming voice indeed!

[@MamaCarola1]

That school was built to last. It's such a shame that it was abandoned & left to decay like that but I understand that there were probably few opportunities in that area to make a career. I recently saw a video of 3 guys who have bought 2 schools in the Pittsburgh suburbs & restored them & made them into apartments. Some of the classrooms were large enough that they became studio apartments. They kept many of the old features & incorporated them into the designs. I also know someone who went to school upstate & took some architecture classes & helped restore & renovate old schools into apartments I think around the Syracuse m, NY area.

[@DarkExploration]

I've seen that one online ! They kept the black boards in the rooms. Pretty cool to see them get new life

[@maryellenshock]

There was an old high school in Jamestown NY that was turned into apartments. Still retained the high school look!

[@staceysmith8795]

Breaks my heart to see that. How many of us have memories of Proms and dances andnoh the basketball games and of course the My. Upton cariety show😔

[@kateshane8277]

The fact that you even know about Bazooka Joe is why you are my fave explore chanel.

[@feathercatcher]

That was back built just a little before my time, but it all looks familiar. I didn't see any old pencil sharpeners on the walls, unless I missed it. Those days were a great time to grow up.

[@groovymovie84]

I remember those wall sharpeners in elementary school in the early '90s...what noise they made. Of course, that school was torn down and had been there since the '20s.

[@DarkExploration]

That's a good point. Didn't see any inside.

[@user-zg6yb7zt3k]

I went to school there until 1993 would love to take a look inside it again.

[@elizabethscholl3490]

Always wondered the inside conditions of the building. Many of my family members have passed through those halls. I was in 2nd grade when the school merged and attended my first couple years down the street from there in the elementary school. Some of those names were mighty familiar on the staff mailbox ❤️

[@DrnkTheWildAir]

The grade school I went to was built in 1899. Looked like a castle.

[@sherimcdaniel3491]

Ah here we are again….in some decrepit and abandoned building, this time it’s a school. Looks very intriguing--let’s get a move on! Did ya notice all of the different paint colors had been applied to the railing? Lots of changes. One of the quirks about you that I find particularly amusing is that you ALWAYS notice old fixtures! And, even more satisfying for me? You show the time the clock stopped for the last time! Don’t know why I enjoy it, but there ya are! Oh Wow! I must’ve chewed 19, 649 of the rectangles of Bazooka gum! It had AMAZING bubble-blowing capabilities! Great explore my friend! Thanks for taking me along. ❤️🐈

[@user-in9zp5tv5c]

Wow… when I saw my name on the mailbox in the main office it gave me chills… and the boys locker room was not being used when I worked there so that was my room for counseling 😮 thanks for posting

[@taurkovian10]

Is this building still abandoned?

[@justuseloveineverything7184]

Devin another great explore as ALWAYS ❤😊

[@MrMagic-ov9sk]

Imagine you used to go here. That'd be insanely surreal.

[@unclemunson6354]

I did....and it is

[@TheDJDiabla]

Same. Gmu alum, class of 2000.

[@flany1969]

I did; from Kindergarten to the beginning of my Sophomore year before my family moved. I loved Elementary school. Wonderful caring teachers. God bless my 2 favorite Elementary educators.: Miss Shader and Mrs. White. When I started 7th grade in the high school everything was significantly different. The students were great but some of the teachers/admins/& certain coaches made me feel very uncomfortable. I loved our short term Home Ec/Health teacher; Miss Kimberly Scott. She was a gem.

[@janicecopeland9083]

very cool mid century school, reminds me of my old high school!

[@greeneyedlilpup745]

I haven’t been a follower for long. I absolutely love this.. I have always loved old school houses! I’m binging ur vids!! ❤

[@talithatchong6268]

Wonderful video, great exploring. Can’t believe how many people that actually went to school there found your video ❤

[@staceysmith8795]

Ok that High School in Mt. Upton NY was built in 1936.

[@staceysmith8795]

My grandmother and kother made that logo. It was made in the theee story building directly across the street from the high school

[@deidreborriello2328]

What a shame. Looks like it was a nice school. Love all the windows

[@chelsea0379]

love his video!!! I've lived in Mt. Upton my whole life and always wondered what the inside looked like, that building was the high school before we merged into GMU

[@user-yr2zf6mg6b]

I graduated from this school in 1977. It is a shame to see the current condition.

[@LunaSangre]

To think of all memories lived there, for it to just be abandoned, sad.

[@flany1969]

Fortunately we all are able to keep our memories of MU. Nothing else was ours.

[@ims2581]

I see a Stewart’s in the background. Def upstate NY.

[@bethetruth6428]

Hauntingly Beautiful - You nailed it = "ABSOLUTELY" !!! well stated.

[@hi.panorama]

Great exploration. Beautiful place - great architecture, and those insane lamps! Looking at them from the outside I would have thought the interior was better preserved. In general, it's great to read all these comments from people who are connected to the school in any way. It's great to read all these memories. It makes the school "more alive", that it is always more than just a beautiful abandoned building.

[@user-ie8vg6bv8k]

I attended school in that building from 4th-6th grade. Sad to see the current state. It wasn’t THAT long ago 😂

[@lindseybsmith]

Very cool! Thanks for documenting it! Bazooka Joe comics were folded in half & wrapped around the gum along with an exterior wrapper. It was the hardest frickin' gum! Little, pink brick! Those light fixtures are amazing! I know some architecture salvages that would like to save & sell them. The beauty was that sink in the science lab! Oh, my eyes popped out! So pristine & gorgeous! I'd love to have that in my laundry room!!! Id also like a group of those lockers! They'd be fabulous in a mudroom! Such a great find! Thank you for being respectful to the school & sharing this with us!

[@Mark.Watson]

Crazy how different technology is now compared to when this was built. The IBM (International Business Machines) centrally controlled clock system (see 11:43) was probably the most modern technology the building had when it opened.

[@patibroomer483]

It's so sweet hearing you say "This old school from the fifties". As a European ( I'm writing from Italy) I'm reminded of just how very "new" the USA still is. Beautiful uploads, thank you for creating such interesting contents.

[@marygilmore7446]

I think you would have liked to be a student in this school. I never heard of it as Art Decor. It was not a 1920s school, it opened in 1935. my husband was the same age when he entered Kindergarten in 1940, graduated in 1952. I arrived in 1947 when my parents moved us to this town and all my siblings were grauds too after me also in 1953. It was closed because our State politics promised not much finanancial aide unless they merged, so they did. It was hoped this would be used for something else but didn't happen. Hence the mess you are showing. There is a wordpress site of many years which will tell you all about it with many photos and all yearbooks, etc. Please locate it, you will enjoy:)

[@melissatyler8887]

There's just something about abandoned schools. All the eras that passed,all the thoughts and daydreams. I guess that's why schools are the most haunted places

[@helenarubio3371]

Hauntingly beautiful is a good way to put it. The curtains still hanging up had a teardrop pattern design of the '50s & '60s.

[@katslat8410]

WOW, I thank you for the exploration of this school

[@bethetruth6428]

I can feel the Happiness, and the cheeky grins. xo.

[@bellestarryounger691]

Is that what lead paint looks like..I mean all that peeling!?..oh man, that lab was gorgeous. Bazooka comics in bubble gum I remember, but you ignored that giant porcelain sink. It was lovely!

[@heavychevy4665]

I'm sure plenty of lead and them ceiling tiles and floor tiles are asbestos plus the wrapped pipes in it

[@mikefitchNYC1971]

Awesome job on this exploration!

[@redneckbryon]

Love old schools like this. I would love to own a building like this.

[@matthewbloom3869]

enjoyed that one! thanks for the tour!

[@carmensol1945]

I love your art.. ❤❤❤

[@Richy.Boi.]

Great job as always.

[@wendyoldham9906]

So nice to see you filming in my neck of the woods, Wow the Mt. Upton High school is so bad inside, i have always wondered what it was like inside, thank you for sharing this!

[@joangravel2436]

Awesome place thanks

[@natalierice6528]

Thank you for showing this beautiful school. So sad to see it was left to rot. My 6 cousins from one uncle all graduated from that school. They lived in a gorgeous Victorian next door. You are cute thinking they didn’t have girls sports way back then😂. My mother in law played high school girls basketball in a neighboring town in the 1930's. 😮

[@matteotomaso7204]

Math rocks! Thanks again for showing us around.

[@AnnasBurningCuriosity]

Wow awesome awesome awesome

[@Laura-zy5jp]

Hi I’m from Canada and live in a fairly large city .Not the largest but I guess medium size population about 900,000. In our city a school like the one in the video unused and pretty dilapidated would be demolished because it is an eyesore,prone to vandalism , arson fires and squatters (homeless people) trying to get in and start unsafe fires to stay warm. A building of any kind abandoned for that long would definitely be demolished. However it’s interesting to see inside old hospitals, schools and hotels from long ago. Really enjoyed your video. That gym was in really bad shape . You could hear water really leaking. No wonder the wood floors are pretty rotted. Laura from Canada😊👍👌🇨🇦🇨🇦

[@ranisrikumar5735]

Really

[@stringriver]

This school was sold and is now private property.

[@shefboyarde]

Your slow voice gives me ASMR. Thanks💘

[@NaomisAdventures]

I remember the comics in Bazooka gum

[@lisafreeman4222]

Awesome video

[@sherrysmith3752]

Enjoyed your video

[@joshb124]

Cool tour. Loved seeing this old school, I tend to agree most schools are all the same. If you come across another building like that try and get the boiler/mechanical room. Usually lots of old equipment left around there.

[@fhwolthuis]

Beautiful video 👏🏼👏🏼 My favourite class was chemistry

[@cosmotraumatika7474]

Incredible. That's 100% akin to the school in northeast Ohio I attended in the 1970s.

[@ims2581]

It’s upstate New York actually :)

[@rolfsinkgraven]

That place had very nice decay, and a bad roof speeds it up aswel, very nice explore.

[@nikebordom]

If it was built in the 50s, it's most likely not Art Deco. This was a style most popular around the 1920s.

[@peggyivey5828]

I went to a school like that. Had a desk like that. Cool

[@robertmiller2104]

Outside didnt look as bad as would think if place been abandoned almost 30 years plus. Inside shows it more for sure. Love it though great video doesnt seem like left much when closed it which is good thing only few things that were probably outdated in 1996

[@spacecowgurl57]

Looks just like the schools I grew up in. Very common that the gymnasium and cafeteria were one in the same. ❤

[@ivoryhenderson542]

This was my school, this was the high school there was no cafeteria in the high school we had to walk down to the little school of we wanted school lunch. Most of us just ate at the little family store next door

[@kristensorensen2219]

#292👍This was a beautiful school. A new roof and another 30 years use. Terrible waste!!

[@Ganiscol]

Bazooka Joe wrappers still have the comic strips inside 😋

[@ilanelsen8321]

My high school's colors were blue and gold as well.

[@gabrielajimenez6508]

I love the school.

[@jade19721]

I also forgot to add that in the basement was also a rifle range. We had a rifle team where both sexes competed on the same team.

[@flany1969]

My sister was on the rifle team. There wasn't a sport she didn't play. She was immensely talented.

[@mxdr65]

Very cool ! think i might know where this is.

[@ricj7517]

Another terrific video Devin! Is Chris still around?

[@ronwade5433]

The wooden chairs were 1960's and the molded plastic was mid 1970's. Like he said, 1976.

[@natartz]

Omg please becareful the floors making me nervous!

[@katslat8410]

Bazooka gum YES :) They still have them

[@gailspaw5521]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@sunlightangel87]

14:54 my favorite part

[@carmensol1945]

That foot.. 😌

[@AbigailsCorner4444]

That blue pamphlet that you saw under a desk had Hebrew on it. It can be translated to mean "in the name of God"

[@jacquetow9914]

Curious about the house next door was it abandoned it sure looks 😂 it was too!😮

[@bethetruth6428]

Show us yar Bazooka's ! Oh o ssooorrryy. 🤨😜🤭😉😊😆.

[@soniaibarra1926]

Wow such a nice School. 📚📚👍🏻👍🏻Instead of Abandoning it, they should have made it to Something else.

[@JohnShinn1960]

🤠👍

[@thestars386]

6:27 speaking of intercoms the *Winchester woman* came up with the idea, they had a *speaking tube system in her house* going through each room. You can talk to somebody in one bedroom and they would hear you in another room upstairs or wherever, and she was the *inventor of the intercom.* Of course back then it was not electronic just as I said speaking tubes.

[@DarkExploration]

Interesting fact

[@justinekessner2645]

I LOVED THAT GUMB TOO, AND THEY DID HAVE A COMIC STRIP IN THEM, HEY WAS THIS A CATHOLIC SCHOOL!!!!!?? PLEASE!!! I CAP, BECAUSE I AM DYSLEXIC, AND I CAN SEE MY SPELLING BETTER!!!!

[@natalierice6528]

It was a small community school, not catholic. My 6 cousins from one of my uncles attended there and it was a lovely building.