Exploring the Abandoned Allentown State Hospital - Amazing Asylum Architecture!

[@labrat18610]

I worked at A.S.H. for over a decade. Those long halls were patient areas. They were all cubicles, which have now been dismantled. The 'pink' ward was originally an all female dorm. At one point ,there was a farm attached to the hospital, and many of the patients loved to work on it. And most of the patients liked the food. It was all you could eat. A.S.H. was like a city, at one point, it had a bank. And yeah, it was really easy to get lost in that building. For the first month of working there, I needed a patient guide to find my way around. The guys tapped into something abut the building. It was well built and well designed,. considering it was over a 100 years old. There is something about the construction that said they weren't cheap, or that they scrimped on the building. The building gives you a feeling of being solidly hugged, and protected. The guys picked up that there's not a pall that hangs over the building, like most old psych institutions. It was cool seeing my old ward office, elevator, and dining hall, and auditorium..Seeing those things brought back fond memories of former staff and patients.Unfortunately, it was a hospital, and hospitals don't always bring back happy memories. BTW, that long mural was painted by a patient. I'm not sure about the integrity of the building, now; but that place is built like a brick >>>>>>>>>>. It's a shame they can't re purpose it. One thing though. It was 24/7 hospital. Patients lived there, staff spent three shifts a day there. It's so strange to see the halls devoid of human activity.

[@evilwarcow]

www.change.org/p/pennsylvania-state-house-preserve-allentown-state-hospital/psf/promote_or_share

[@Velo1010]

Fascinating. Can you share some interesting stories you may have witnessed or experienced while there?

[@98SE]

@@Velo1010 Yes, Please do this! :)

[@chuckroelofsphotography]

So cool to get that kind of insight

[@sunmist22]

So happy to read of your memories and to realize that is was a place of food production and well being and care. I really hate they decided to tear it all down.

[@rockydify]

Security can be annoying but looks like they succeeded in keeping the place looking nice-ish and avoid vandalism.

[@DougPaulley]

Just ripe for demolition then, sadly... but yes

[@CWM-xl8ki]

This is very true, I wish all people who visited these places were as respectful as these two. It’s a tragedy that this beautiful building will be demolished. 😢

[@WarHawk-]

I noticed a domed security camera in the upper corner of the yellow tiled 'surgical' room (8:17). Obviously is is no longer used but I wonder why it was in that particular location to start with?

[@abpsd73]

@@WarHawk- I really wonder how many of the cameras were just decoys to deter people entering and wandering the building. Many of the cameras were in areas where everything is plastered, which would have made it a nightmare to conceal cabling.

[@dfwai0309]

@@CWM-xl8ki a

[@GixxerFoo]

Since they demolished the hospital just 2 months later this video is a testament to why you guys do what you do. Total preservation of history!

[@craignunnallypurcell]

What of the waste in terms of carbon footprint and the non reuse of the buildings. - where were our woke progressives ?

[@mandarins_9194]

Damn!!!! That architecture was EPIC! That is a complete tragedy. It was absolutely gorgeous

[@garrettdicenso4418]

@@craignunnallypurcell pretty dumb comment

[@craignunnallypurcell]

@@garrettdicenso4418 what cost in carbon credits will it be to demolish and rebuild ?

[@benwhite8924]

They have been demolishing old world buildings for over a hundred years ...

[@ricklepick9148]

It seems criminal to demolish a building like this. Nothing is built like this anymore.

[@WTFIsThisGuyDoing233]

What's even more terrible is something like this will never be built again.

[@LilPnutDollMom526]

Yes it does. There is a preservation page for this place on Facebook.

[@raingram]

Does the US not have a system to protect buildings like the UK's "listed buildings"

[@LilPnutDollMom526]

@@raingram Yes, but the building has to be registered somewhere as a historic landmark.

[@LilPnutDollMom526]

@@alineheadlamp1899 There was no abuse allegations at this location. Pennhurst on the other hand. But shouldn't we learn from our mistakes and study it, rather than forget altogether?

[@PlutoniumSlums]

Not a single piece of graffiti anywhere. What a gem of an exploration!

[@bendoverson2397]

Ok boomer

[@Potatoverynice]

@@bendoverson2397 ? no graffiti is a good thing for urbex u dunce, it's better to find an abandoned building in as similar condition as to what it was before abandonment than completely vandalised. Don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan of graffiti, done it myself, but graffiti is not welcome everywhere.

[@hbbricks84]

@@bendoverson2397 i love graffiti but as the guy said its not welcome everywhere

[@mikegreene1847]

@@bendoverson2397 aqqqq

[@wishingondeath]

@@bendoverson2397 ok boomer ben

[@NPC-Gamer]

What's neat is how this place doesn't even seem to give off any creepy vibes at all. Very tranquil really.

[@yungmew2]

i think the lack of graffiti and vandalism helps!

[@debbiekerr3989]

@@yungmew2 That's true, and I agree that the vandalism, and graffiti add a layer of sadness, and I'm glad that didn't happen here.

[@Death2TheCore]

At 3 am it did 😅 I only had 5 days in Pennsylvania exploring so we had to hit it at 3 and it was really creepy. I went before proper and we got inside the church before anyone it was Beautiful

[@NPC-Gamer]

@@Death2TheCore I will bet most any abandoned place at 3am is bound to be creepy

[@Death2TheCore]

@@NPC-Gamer most definitely! This is the only place I have ever explored at night because I had to. Usually I get in when the sun is down and wait in a room until the sun comes up for photos but with this place I eas actually walking around in the dark lol the window they went through down there is the creepiest 😅

[@DenWell-SeedsOfChaos]

Your ending statement about demolition leaving and empty plot of land perfect for a Walmart or Amazon Warehouse was so powerful and sad.... This explore was definitely one of my top 3 favorite of yours; I love exploring these old hospitals.

[@RobertMorgan]

More likely for houses. The market is insane right now. In some places you literally cannot buy a house for any amount of money, so building is going crazy.

[@randomrazr]

The problem is finding a way that the building can be used going forward that actually makes enough money to maintain the building. Just look at the size of that place, what do you do with so much space and so many rooms? You can of course imagine a hotel and restaurant using that amazing marble cladded lobby area with that staircase as a focal point and having shows in the theater but just how much that space do you really need? Is this property even in an area that usually draws visitors? I'd imagine most asylum's weren't built in the most amazing tourist spots because they didn't need to be, it looks like it's on the edge of a sleepy suburb. If you can't close the ends on a business case that makes enough to maintain it governments aren't left with that many options. And then you have the issue of the cost of renovating that building and getting everything back up to code. A project where you can face a potential nightmare of hidden costs from crumbling foundations, masonry, framing and the removal of who knows how much lead, asbestos and so on all of which might be impossible to plan for until you actually start the work. Someone looking to set up a business looks at all that uncertainty and suddenly building what you need from scratch or just renting starts to sound pretty good. And then once again there is the scale of this place. Sure some people would love to renovate that place and set something up but it's just so freaking big that you're going to need to draw a ton of customers to whatever you put in it to make it worthwhile. I love old buildings like this too but the government can't just always be taking on the costs associated with carrying historical buildings no matter how beautiful they look. I'd wager whoever owns it has tried to find buyers that would want it and the numbers just don't work out for what they would use it for, it's a shame but there's not much you can do unless you want taxpayer dollars to maintain abandoned buildings for who knows how long into the future.

[@DenWell-SeedsOfChaos]

@@randomrazr I've seen some Urban Explore videos where you could tell that someone had tried to start renovations but then had to give up, probably due to financial issues/codes/insurance... These were large house or mansions but still nothing even close to the size of an old beautiful hospital-asylum. I sadly can't imagine anyone today could or would be willing to take on such a renovation, but still I sure wish I could!

[@susanreabuck7311]

@@randomrazr It is actually in a very urban area it just has a ton of land surrounding it. Many residents would like it to become either a middle school which Allentown is lacking in the area or part of a college campus of which we have many.

[@fuzzywuzzy5749]

@@RobertMorgan No respect for history or nature. Just build, build, build. And in the pandemic, no one can afford it. Hahaha Joke's on you demolishers.

[@ilovegrandchildren3]

Finally watching this after our ASH campus was demolished. I worked here from 1978-2009. I am still so amazed at the marvels found in the Main Building and its complex construction. I was as mesmerized by your presentation as I was walking the building/tunnel daily. You are so right-Dr. Klopp, ASH's 1st superintendent, designed the buildings so that the patients were surrounded by fresh air and light. He was a very progressive thinker about treating people with a mental illness in a humane way and cared deeply for his patients. Thank you for sharing this video about the hospital-I always considered working at ASH an honor; the loss of which has left a major scar upon my heart.

[@peterrusso7336]

That Dr. Klopp defnitely earned good karma. No doubt about it

[@Delicious_J]

They seriously want to flatten this gem just to throw up another soulless cube that nobody will ever look twice at? Shameful.

[@Bampitas74ps]

I know. Beautiful places such as these that were built with purpose, form and function should be saved for future generations.

[@fuzzywuzzy5749]

"They paved over paradise and put up a parking lot."--Joni Mitchell

[@fuzzywuzzy5749]

@Moto Guzzi Such a pessimist. You must be a Millennial. Ever been to Europe?????? Open your eyes.

[@paspeedtestingadventures7503]

Already gone

[@LawnMowersThingsThatMakeNoise]

@@paspeedtestingadventures7503 Demolished already ?

[@marshallhackett990]

The loss of this building is a tragedy. At least you had a chance to document its greatness. The loss of marble alone is reprehensible. Thanks for posting, as always.

[@penguinsscareme]

The marble, copper, etc., other materials of value will probably be salvaged in some way.

[@CountRegis]

Agreed! I don’t understand why in America historic places are torn down. In Europe, they maintain their historic buildings and they become part of the culture and experience that Americans pay to go enjoy over there. This place could have easily been converted into a museum, event venue, hotel, school, retreat, anything. But no, we tear down our historic treasures and replace them with ugly capitalistic architecture.

[@sarahmckenzie7989]

This building complex was a pleasant surprise. There is dignity to its structure and purpose. How unfortunate that it could not be repurposed for apts., a museum, or a teaching campus...

[@iangallagher4135]

@@CountRegis but I think it was a to worn down to be made into anything except for a Ohio State reformatory kinda thing

[@ReversusLaxus]

@@CountRegis sadly we do have enough buildings like this which are unused and not rebuild or reused in any way. Would be great if Europe could stand up to your expectations, but no - enough tear downs happening

[@bewhitey]

13:20 Just to give a little perspective on some of the stone work there. I work for a granite shop and last year we did some full marble slab shower walls in a few bathrooms, not unlike the one in that hospital. We charged $20k for just the slab walls in each bathroom which used seven 10'x6' 700lb slabs of 2cm marble. The hospital you are at has marble slab all over the lobby area and around the blue / yellow staircases, floor baseboard, full slabs on the hallway walls, marble window sills and marble columns. This is not something you really see anymore in America because the price would be astronomical and there are too many cheaper alternatives. I am guessing there is close to $1 million in slab fabrication and installation from a modern point of view in my area (just as a comparison, our customers total bill was $150,000 and was not nearly the amount of stone work this asylum has). Slab work is very expensive because you are dealing with extremely large, heavy and fragile pieces... the marble slabs themselves can range from around $800 and up depending on how exotic / rare a marble you pick. It also depends on how easily accessible the material is. Being near a marble quarry greatly reduces the price, like in Italy or India ($50-$100 per marble slab).....as well as the cost of labor. I bet if you were to build this all in India it would be like $100k. The level of craftsmanship of these old buildings is always astonishing. To think of all the work is just mind boggling because even today it would be extremely difficult with all our modern tools. Laser templating, CNC cutting, crane lifting... I have no idea how they did it 100 years ago by hand when they were basically running everything off of steam haha. this place reminds me of a level in Resident Evil

[@johnnyonthespot4375]

I was tryin to come up with some kind of number for all of that marble - I was definitely in that range. It is the *HOW* that gets me though ...

[@JGFXDK]

I was going to make a comment about the Marble too. I have no frame of reference for pricing, so thank you very much for that @Ben Whitney. Given how much of the asylum is clad in Marble, I find your estimate to be way too small as $1M/$500 is only 2k slabs. Barely a hallway... =8O I can't see how much else could be repurposed as it is true craftmansship made specificly for this installation, but it truely a shame. If the place is to be demolished, I cannot imagine that contractors would opt to leave the Marble, as even reclaimed, I'd imagine it's worth Millions.

[@RobertMorgan]

Also keep in mind this was all built LOOOONG ago, when prices were lower and labor costs were way less. AND, remember, STATE hospital, so this was all that free limitless unaccountable taxpayer money. Go wild.

[@NGC1433]

@@RobertMorgan I think this is away better use of taxpayer money than paying welfare to millions of cretins who will later try to destroy capitalism.

[@RobertMorgan]

@@NGC1433 this is facts

[@mmmtt1234]

So grateful to live in the UK, where beautiful old Victorian/Edwardian era buildings like this are common, maintained and reused.

[@lisaw7633]

Yes you are blessed. The US it's greed and the almighty dollar

[@TheRustiestShackleford]

“OI YOU CHEEKY BUILDIN, AV YOU GOT A LOICENSE TO BE FALLIN DOWN LIKE THAT!?”

[@charlesbellon5694]

Tear em all down too many people don’t need to snoop in those building

[@Socasmx]

That is lucky. Too many old buildings are torn down for shopping centers and and trendy apartments.

[@reneepoche15]

I wish.

[@gregorymaine9615]

The curtain you were looking at in the theater is what's called a fire curtain, a barrier that separates the stage from the audience in the event of a fire in either area. It is meant to be mis balanced weight-wise to allow the curtain to let itself in in the event of a fire, hence why you had trouble pulling it back up. The additional rope and pulley are part of a trip system meant to keep the curtain flown out for normal use. In the even of a fire, the rope could be release via a mechanism, the fire burning through the trip rope, or in some cases, could be cut by a knife usually left chained nearby.

[@jackradzelovage6961]

tmyk

[@thecrazybiologist]

Hm! That’s really interesting. Goes to show you can learn something every day. Thanks!

[@cllively9581]

and they were asbestos . even today the curtains in theaters give off asbestos dust when they are going up and down. and they weigh a ton

[@gregorymaine9615]

@@cllively9581 they once were asbestos, but that's pretty uncommon today. More common is a high temperature fiberglass woven fabric like Zetex.

[@rasgal1912]

Just left a similar comment.👍🏼

[@debbied9997]

I love that you integrate actual pictures from what it looked like while being used. It adds to the depth of the feeling of the abandoned place.

[@Itsaboutthewaterlife]

Totally agree.

[@lastmst2738]

I’ve lived in Allentown my entire life, this building was always so cool to look at, it’s really sad that they are demoing this. I wish someone could have bought it, and did tours of the place or something cool like that. This is 100% one of the most gorgeous hospitals in the world, and especially in PA and surrounding areas.

[@caseyflorida]

Buildings built 100+ years ago had so much artistic detail in the architecture. That doesn't happen today because of the cost. New buildings are boring and lame. The thought of destroying this beautiful building is sad. It would be better to restore it and find a new purpose for it.

[@e5m956]

My same thoughts! They definitely don't make them like they used to!

[@redsquirrelftw]

The crazy thing is all of this was done by hand mostly. Now days if they really wanted to they could use lot of CNC for the artistic stuff.

[@jorgepeterbarton]

@SURREY CROSSING the UK does not really do this if its old. (Maybe if it were an interesting 60s brutalist one though- some are interesting- but its like "concrete is concrete" and treated as if something that won architecture prize is same as run down block of flats). It would be made into flats. Well everything is made into flats because housing shortage. I noticed some edwardian public toilets being made into a flat. But asylums, yes, especially quite a few asylums are now luxury homes. Though actually i dont think they are as ornate as the american ones. Maybe built a little later or earlier? Kind of are red-brick victorian functional.

[@SergeantExtreme]

@@redsquirrelftw Hate to burst your bubble, but much of this wasn't actually done by hand. For example, the iron stairway railings were cast in molds. Sure those molds were intricate, but it was mass produced none-the-less. Understand that this was built at the height of the technological advances of the Second Great Industrial Revolution in America, so they used mills for the intricate woodwork and stonework; and molds for the intricate metalwork. Sure, there was some stuff that had to be hand made, but even at an early time such as this, much of the work was machine assisted if not completely machine made.

[@1940limited]

It's hard to comprehend the materials and design put into this place 100 years ago and the capability we had to build it. Another lost art.

[@d1llp1ckle1]

Seeing the possible demolition of this building really makes me disappointed in American historic preservation. Not only is this building considered historically significant because of it's history as an asylum (medical history), but this building is one of the most incredibly detailed asylums I think I've ever seen on your channel yet. As someone currently studying historic preservation, I'm extraordinarily surprised that local preservation societies and groups haven't gone AWOL with the announcement of demolition, or at least gone after the city for allowing this to happen. This building does not deserve to be demolished: it's in amazing condition aesthetically and is considered historically significant. Sorry about the rant, but I'd thought I would get this out in the open.

[@RobertMorgan]

No one is stopping preservationists from buying it. They need to literally put their money where their mouths are. And no one will say they told you so when that bankrupts them.

[@d1llp1ckle1]

@@RobertMorgan Exactly!! The demolition is already causing an uproar among the community, so they should step in and prevent this from happening. It's like what happened to Penn Station in 1963 all over again!

[@brianscott9749]

It seems to be the way of things these days - they tore down Martin Tower in next door Bethlehem, the headquarters of Bethlehem Steel. It was a great example of late Mid-Century Modern architecture inside and out. It's so sad really. Then there is the Roxy Theater in Northampton, a one screen movie theater still running and VERY well taken care of - I wish that's how all these old buildings could be (hopefully the pandemic doesn't hurt The Roxy's future!!)

[@m.e.c.1007]

Isn't this what modern day America is all about? Let's destroy and attempt to erase history?! These asylums, so many, are now torn down, soon there will be no legacy, of course much sadness attached, of such great buildings that are no longer made. I'm glad in some places, like CT where they are trying hard to turn 100 year old empty mills into shopping centers and stores. Reuse, repurpose! New isn't necessarily better.

[@d1llp1ckle1]

I find that statement very true. Plenty of historical areas have been demolished completely in light of "progress". What they're truly destroying is the sense of community that these areas once held. What Pennsylvania did wrong was not consult the community of Allentown about the sanitarium.

[@debbiekerr3989]

Do you gentleman realise that you are doing a very important work by preserving the hospital before it's too late? The video you made may vary well be the only record left of the historic hospital.

[@ForgottenBuildings]

Very nice episode and informative video of this stunning place. I'm really baffled how they even managed to get a demolition permit for this unique piece of cultural heritage. Hopefully this video can make some change and maybe save it or parts of the complex.

[@The-Average-Noob]

Buildings nowadays are just built, but these buildings... these were made

[@RM.....]

Back then stuff was built to last a very long time. Today everything is cheap and disposable, because most of it wont be around long anymore .Sad

[@tamera4123]

i just saw the photos of them demolishing it. a gorgeous piece of history, just gone.

[@Willa_Doo]

To be truthfully honest. This looks like one of the most beautiful asylums I've ever seen

[@1940limited]

The Kirkbride Buildings were even better. Greystone in Morris Plains, NJ was a Kirkbride. That was torn down too, despite efforts to save it.

[@pyro323]

Hey even though this buildings getting torn down, there's gonna be a digital memory of it thanks to The Proper People. Awesome explore fellas. 🇺🇲

[@dennisn1672]

Thousands of americas historical structures have been neglected and torn down. So much of our history has been erased. The labor of love and the craftsmanship that went into building these icons can't be replaced. Its sad to think of these buildings being demolished. You guys did a good job documenting this. Thank you.

[@FRailFan]

My family has a bit of history with 3 generations on my mother's side (my mother included) working there. It was my great grandmother's like last job. My grandfather worked there for awhile and it ended up being one of my mother's first jobs.

[@FRailFan]

Correction I remembered a detail wrong my Great Grandmother didn't work there it was my Great Aunt my bad. Either way still have family history there.

[@EphemeralProductions]

Did they all work directly with the mentally illl?

[@FRailFan]

@@EphemeralProductions My Great Aunt was in patient administration for 42 years. My grandfather was Mechanical Operator 2, drove the Trucks Bussing Ambulances some ground maintenance 33 year out on disability. My mother worked the canteen for patients and workers for 2 years. Until the people who operated the canteen closed down and moved to Erie.

[@sujiboojie265]

My great-grandma worked there as well!! I should probably try and get some stories about it from her, shame they’re tearing such a beautiful building.

[@REXXSEVEN]

@@FRailFan Your Great Aunt worked there for 42 years? Wow.

[@husky500cr]

I like how you impose the old pictures within the video.

[@greenybird7132]

I just don’t understand how you can look at this building and think “level it”. The craftsmanship is exquisite and was built with heart. Fantastic video documenting this gem.

[@DasVERMiT]

It sucks that it's coming down, but I'm glad they're at least trying to save some of the fixtures and whatnot. Hopefully they salvage all those doors and railings and really as much as possible since they're incredible.

[@AaronSmith-kr5yf]

Yeah I was thinking the same thing, people pay good $$$$ for those stair railings, huge wood doors and thick stained wood mouldings. You just can't replicate some of that stuff today, the men who did that ornate plaster and woodwork in the main lobby, they're all long gone from this earth, their craft died out with them.

[@Pantheragem]

@SURREY CROSSING "Recycling" is really there to make us feel better. We are more wasteful than ever, especially in the U.S. Believe it or not, the next big environmental crisis will probably be caused by the mass building of electric cars. Look up lithium in Chile, cobalt in the Congo, cobalt mining from the ocean floor, toxic waste lake, and the e waste city in Ghana. There is a lot to be said for building things to last....

[@AmongTheUnknown]

How the hell??? I heard about this place being heavily monitored and security being called and everything else. I knew about the demolition but holy crap guys! What a lucky explore

[@thickgirlsneedlove2190]

Lmfao yeah same an I live like 4hrs away

[@AmongTheUnknown]

@@thickgirlsneedlove2190 Same here lol, from Pittsburgh

[@chakkakon]

Lived in Pa for over 30 years, there are definitely enough people in that area to fill this hospital.

[@grimhaven1913]

Devon late to the party once again 😂😂😂 this place was everywhere for like a month until the cops raided it a few times

[@urban_indy8262]

prolly cause of demo the security is more laxed and more worry about scrappers then vandals.

[@challenger398]

so, i watched this in 2021. im SO glad you guys filmed this, on a channel that SO popular. apparently the entire campus had been demolished other than like...ONE insignificant building. watching this video made me so interested in the asylum case, that it honestly began to piss me off that i couldnt find a single clear answer WHY they demolished it. its an absolutely BEAUTIFUL building from our history, that could have actually MADE MONEY as a museum! but i guess not.

[@ohhkayy0919]

For some reason this one really hit me in the feels. It's criminal to tear this building down. It's a piece of art.

[@1940limited]

With all the homeless people and now illegal migrants pouring in, places like this could be rehab'd and put to use rather than throwing away billions on a place like Ukraine. This country's priorities are way out of whack.

[@CBRracer08]

So sad, we have a mental health crises while places like this have been left to rot away. All while municipalities misuse and embezzle the costs saved from the closures. Beautiful building as well, excellent work as usual.

[@kimberlyschouppe86]

I totally agree! Especially here in the Lehigh valley area with hardly any drs that take welfare insurance and people cant afford drs even with good insurance. I really wish they would fix it up and re open.

[@Velo1010]

Yea we do. I don’t know about the past, but today it seems there is always an angle to helping the mentally ill, such as If it doesn’t make money we can’t help people. Well what do state and counties spend on prisons? Bet it would cost far less to help people with minor crimes than to house and let them out to repeat their offense.

[@alexismains9616]

I wish people appreciated history more instead of tearing things down

[@pathaze4299]

History means nothing when there's an oppurtunity for some big-wig to fill his pockets. That's the sad part

[@anoirecilpac3544]

Stunning building , such a shame they are demolishing it .

[@jessemurray1757]

If you enjoy old asylums like this you should check out traverse city state hospital, in traverse city Michigan, now called the village at grand traverse commons. They repurposed the main building and turned it into shops and apartments. There are still old buildings on the campus that haven't been restored yet that you can tour. Lots of history and well worth trip.

[@Just1Nora]

The art deco...so gorgeous...honestly as someone who studied art it's painful to see such a beautiful building torn down...and all that marble destroyed? That hurts me on a deep level.

[@bobbing4snapples]

Art Deco is not what this is.

[@haishating561]

In 5:06 when they said, "they found us." I legit thought it was the security that found them 😂

[@jameshooton7335]

In every room I could see an apartment, a bedroom, bathroom, communal living space, etc. This building could house hundreds of people in wonderful apartments and provide a forever-home. This would be perfect for an amazing building. Unfortunately, the cost of renovation is just beyond the cost of demolition :(

[@OwenBudd1]

Not to mention that the building was not made for that purpose, a lot goes into adaptive re-use. Plus you have the added issues of lead paint and asbestos, which has condemned smaller buildings than this complex.

[@evilwarcow]

www.change.org/p/pennsylvania-state-house-preserve-allentown-state-hospital/psf/promote_or_share

[@cjsadman3750]

There is probably asbestos in there, and that is expensive enough to remove, but they still shouldn't have closed these places or ever have torn them down.

[@evilwarcow]

@@cjsadman3750 But they were building the buildings asbestos they can.

[@moonooze6171]

Mmmm asbestos and lead

[@Cyberpuppy63]

Even the glass is intact. Decades old. Virtually untouched. Unbelievable.

[@Acridobject]

probably trashed now that they posted about this place lol

[@carmeninfl]

It just closed 10 years ago.

[@THEPrivatePita]

It just dirt now. It was demolished last week

[@Acridobject]

@@THEPrivatePita gg

[@chancepayne3013]

@@THEPrivatePita that's so sad 😕

[@jterry211]

People are the soul of a building, when they leave the structure dies. The peeling paint, the rust, the mold is it dying. So sad to see such a beautiful thing die.

[@AmyGarciaauthor]

Why not turn this into something else instead of demolishing it? Seems like such a shame.

[@DOSeater]

Like what?

[@DimJongUn]

@@DOSeater offices, lofts, community center, museum, brothel. Use your imagination

[@seanbond1008]

Money

[@chiefkirby9982]

it might cost more to fix it back up than tear it down.. turn it into a haunted hotel?

[@johnp139]

Asbestos and mold abatement is VERY EXPENSIVE!

[@themediocregamer5339]

Ever since I was I’d walk pass this on my way to school, and wondered what it looked like inside. I remember one time my grandmother had drove up the long driveway to drop something off for her friend that worked there when I was a kid. Then a couple years go by, my cousin and I got kicked out by security for walking around the property, but we didn’t get a chance to go in. So cool to see it from the inside, and dope to be used in the movie Glass. Shame it’s gone now.

[@devilduckie2534]

Have you ever thought of making a book full of pictures and information of abandoned places around the world ? The way you describe rooms/buildings in the voice overs would make lovely reading. (i apologise if you have already done this, if so please point me to where i could purchase)

[@nocatfishnana1923]

I was thinking the exact same thing!

[@EstonianBerserker]

4:33 I’d check those vents & every single heater casings in the hallways. You never know what you may find and it would be incredibly fascinating to see what the patients may or may not hid.

[@gilliankingston8259]

Maybe even get a glimpse into what day to day life was really like for the patients living there (a handwritten note possibly hidden in a vent/heater) that would not have been known otherwise; a piece of history and an insight into how it felt to know this was always going to be your life, forever.

[@kimatlastlooks2915]

We don't build buildings like this. Everything built now, isn't built to last. Such a bittersweet video. Thank you for capturing it in its final moments.

[@LONE_STORMER]

its been like 4 or 5 years and I'm still excited to see your notifications pop up on my phone

[@Apoplectic_Spock]

It's frustratingly obvious just how bad of a job humans do integrating modern technology with classic design. It's like they didn't even try. smh

[@leothompson2777]

I can tell from your comment you have a raft of experience retrofitting old buildings. But allow me to point something out to you.... This is a state mental health facility. It will bring in zero revenue, and cost an awful lot to keep open. The budget for retrofitting would never include provisions to make it as aesthetically pleasing as possible. You should be smacking your head with a comment so naive.

[@HockeyVictory66]

Yup, it’s all about the lack of money. I guess we need $100 million fighter jets to kill people instead of taking care of thousand of our ill population.

[@Carterthielftw_]

@@HockeyVictory66 like previously mentioned, it's functional, just not aesthetically pleasing all the time. A family member of mine works governmental/commercial construction and it takes a lot of time, effort, people and most importantly, money to make something look nice. When a governmental building constructed a century ago needs new handrails to be up to code the city is not going to go to some boutique manufacturer and spend tens of thousands of dollars, hire a designer, work for a few weeks to perfect the design then ship it from across the country and have it installed. It would be nice but I also like lower taxes so...

[@samuelgagnon1071]

I agree with you guys... It's sad that back then nice architectural details matters in every place you could look! Now a days, with every regulations and cost of labor it's nearly impossible to build or even maintain something like that with federal founding. 😢 Best thing for those structure is to be private owned by someone who care and have a lot of money or some creativity to preserve those pieces of art for next generations!

[@hansonel]

@@HockeyVictory66 This. Our priorities need reassessing. Preserving old buildings that deserve to be saved and maintained (lot's of comments about how preservation is too expensive but there's somehow tons of money to make lots of $1 million dollar missiles) having more humane treatment of the mentally ill, creating better laws to deter real estate developers from buying up old buildings to put up a Walmart or Amazon Warehouse etc... In this era of COVID it would be wiser to restore it and turn it into a regional hospital. So sad and frustrating great buildings like this are torn down all over the country every year when we should be preserving our history.

[@thedankteamexplores]

One of the only KZbin channels I don't click off the intro..the song never gets old.

[@kodylightning]

I live like 10 minutes away from there always wish I could go inside there but they always had security around glad someone got to document the inside of it and show people what it looks like before they demo it

[@FlamingNades420]

Same! I live really close too and have always wanted to go inside!

[@crimsonixi]

Same here. I have seen pictures but would love to explore inside

[@barbour3472]

You could build a city in one building. Doctors, Restaurant, any type of store you wanted. Self contained with apartments.

[@martywheat9726]

If I was rich I would buy something like that and live there that would be awsome

[@skzfeels1849]

basically, a mall.

[@markcarlson7394]

Now that's an idea👍

[@jolenejolenejoleneJOlene]

I can't thank you enough for posting this. I've had an intense desire to explore this place but never had the courage to go for it. Now it's mostly gone and I'm really heartbroken over it. Something about this place calls to me and I wish they would have allowed a final tour through here. You guys are awesome.

[@aaronvienot]

33:36 is a great example of a stoker furnace. The coal would be distributed by an automated feeder onto the slow-moving conveyor mesh, and the conveyor would feed the coal into the flame front. The flame was aerated and the flyash was removed through the conveyor mesh by a blower somewhere downstream, which would catch the flyash using some combination of filtering methods, such as vortex separation or a baghouse.

[@bobp5356]

Living in Savannah, GA being an Architect, I can really appreciate the design and character of a building like this. The craftsmanship needed to build a structure like this is a dying art, not to mention the cost. A building like this puts an owner between a rock and a hard place. You want to save it, but without a viable plan for re-purposing, there is not much you can do. Nice job and keep up the good work.

[@thebigcapitalism9826]

Why was it so much more common in the past to build artful structures? Most architecture nowadays all looks the same and is depressingly minimalist and if not minimalist then asymmetrical mcmansions

[@Sinyao]

@@thebigcapitalism9826 Cost effectiveness and efficiency. If you want to build something cheap, you make a set of templates you can slap together to quickly have a design plan, uses the minimum amount of material to reach code, and basically be things the builders themselves are familiar with (that way they can use standard prefabricated materials instead of wasting time cutting them to shape or get custom made).

[@Random12231]

It's always fascinating to see a building in a state of natural decay instead of being ripped apart and destroyed by vandals. It's unfortunate the building was demolished, but at least you were able to provide some wonderful documentation for the future.

[@FesixGermany]

As I am a coward I would never be able to explore something like this so I am really enjoying these videos. Also the quality of your videos with occasional cinematic shots is just nice.

[@e5m956]

Sometimes you just got to do it! I went to Kings Park with no intentions of going inside the buildings but once I was there I was like, you only live once! These adventures are so much fun! ;)

[@AlextheHistorian]

I think this video really struck me more than the others I've seen on your channel, because not only was this abandoned building beautiful, but it's also pleasant to the eye, like you said, you don't get a heavy feeling when you see it. There's a lot of light and it feels inviting. But what struck me about this video was the fact that this beautiful building is in relatively good shape for it being abandoned...and yet they're steaming ahead with the demolition...such a tragic waste.

[@maevemaiden]

So beautiful. I remember seeing Ghost Hunters when they filmed here years ago. Really a tragedy it's now gone. Thank you for capturing it here for us to see it one last time.😩💞

[@Need4Steam]

Wow, what an amazingly well done video. This is not just some dude trespassing in old buildings, this was a film made with care, appreciation for history, and and insightful description of this buildings purpose. Fantastic job, thank you for sharing!

[@andreasmith1034]

This was so beautiful. It’s devastating that they would demolish someplace with such a rich history.

[@steuk6510]

Open it as a museum

[@MOOMOO2728]

I have a lot of respect for these young explores that respect the property while showing us the history of these building.

[@Wayner71]

We will never see the likes of a building like this ever again. Efforts should be made to preserve it in some form. Private and public housing possibly. Or a museum/art gallery/library. In years to come history will be appreciated and we will have nothing left but glass and concrete boxes.

[@rasgal1912]

The curtain is a fire curtain, meant to come down quickly to avoid the chimney effect if there is a fire in the auditorium. The counter weight is designed to be too light for the curtain to remain in the air once the support is cut. (I work in the theater industry)

[@WilliamBlakeHall]

You mean work(ed)? I too, work(ed) in theatre😥

[@rasgal1912]

@@WilliamBlakeHall it has been a hard year for us theatre people. I freelance, so the lack of a job doesn't equate a past tense disciption in my mind. I work in the theatre industry, but haven't gotten a gig for many months (as most of us have and probably won't for many more) On an encouraging note, some of my friends have started getting some live event gigs in music and politics. Idk what part of theatre you specialize in or where in the world you find yourself, but I hope you can return to what you love soon.💓

[@dabmaster24]

We have an asbestos curtain at my college! That curtain they were lifting made me immediately think of that

[@620john620]

Counter wait? Is that anything like a counter weight?

[@rasgal1912]

@@620john620 😂 thanks, didn't see that

[@Bampitas74ps]

A few years ago I started watching videos of abandoned places and you guys were the people I stumbled across first. I love how respectful you all are of the places you visit. You guys really embody the saying, “take only memories and leave only footprints”. I’m glad there are people out there like y’all that are filming and documenting these places before they are permanently gone. It’s a real shame that others want to erase our history and past. We can always learn something from our past and if you erase it, we as humans, tend to forget and repeat our past and that’s not always a good thing. Thank you guys for living up to the name of your group, The Proper People. You all have set the example and bar high which all others should follow. Keep up the great work guys and even though I don’t know y’all personally, I’m so proud of y’all. Keep on exploring!!!!

[@panda-wk8mv]

as someone who grew up in the uk in the 90s, every school, doctors , hospital, comunity center, everything was old victorian buildings with drop celings. drop celings make me feel nostalgic

[@memorex398]

Dang! They really don't build buildings like they used to. All the time, effort, and talent that went into theses buildings. I'm glad you guys document them. The generation that come after us won't have any idea what these buildings were like.

[@Velo1010]

No they don’t. They slap them together with some wood, drywall, nails, and screws.

[@jenniferwiechers7871]

So sad to see that beautiful building and piece of history destroyed. Thank you guys for documenting and taking us inside to appreciate it before it’s gone.

[@wonderwoman_nikki]

Amazing! Such a shame they are considering tearing it down. I love how you shared old pictures of how it looked in the past as well.

[@martinschiller667]

W-what, how is your comment one day ago

[@wonderwoman_nikki]

@@martinschiller667 I'm guessing it's because I'm a Patreon supporter with early access?

[@robfellows4096]

Perfectly summed up at the end. Maybe it was the light that day, or the sense of space from being so empty but this feels like one of the least oppressive and intimidating buildings I've seen. In the old photos with the potted palms the lobby looks like that of an expensive hotel. Indeed, would the designers of a warehouse pay so much attention details which promote the well being of it's workers? Professional quality document of an outstanding building. Thanks.

[@evilwarcow]

www.change.org/p/pennsylvania-state-house-preserve-allentown-state-hospital/psf/promote_or_share

[@ChooChuChoo]

Just finding this channel now, but I do want to say thank you for documenting this. I grew up in Allentown, around all the old buildings and abandoned places that were sadly left to ruin. Our historical society there is a joke (they tore down a historical site to make their new, ugly modern office next to the Trexler mansion) and I hope that even if buildings aren't saved, they're thoroughly documented in a appreciative manner like you have done here.

[@JF930H]

I can practically feel this building through my viewing device. It gives you an overwhelming feeling of sadness thinking about all of the stories those walls could tell.

[@janetberry1042]

That’s what I was thinking too. Lord knows what all happened there, it couldn’t have all been good. Women were put in mental hospitals for being “crazy” when in reality it was just the change of life, or menopause as we know it. Lord knows what horrible things happened in this beautiful bldg. This was certainly interesting & the bldg & craftsmanship is amazing, but I found it sad too.

[@MrEasye2504]

I was there when they had patients there. I was in my schools chorus and we performed for the patients in the ballroom. Sad to see a historic building go.

[@StuffedPillows]

Love how you guys appreciate the little details in the places you visit

[@lavapix]

22:06 The Terminator 2 hallway. 5 years living in that area in the late 80s and I can't believe (I'm happy) I was never in that place.

[@urban_indy8262]

terminator 2 hallways was actually filmed in a vacant California mental health facility that is no longer standing

[@johnnym7904]

I should have scrolled down first, lol, i just posted the same comment!

[@kevincazares7184]

@@johnnym7904 pqlllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

[@punchline43]

@@urban_indy8262 Actually it is still standing. It's a drug & alcohol rehab center called the Phoenix House. I'm less than 10 miles from there. Unless you mean the bldg. in the movie was really torn down and an exact replica was constructed in it's place, then maybe you're right. It is called the "Phoenix" House after all 😉

[@urban_indy8262]

@@punchline43 "the phoenix academy" (no relation to the pheonix academy high school) and it was demolished in 2017

[@Ms_MalRkey]

Jackpot!! This was definitely worth the wait to see such a gorgeous place that hasn't been defaced and vandalised...wow! Superb. It's so sad that in a moment's time all the craftsmanship and hard labour that went into building that magnificence, will be a pile of broken bricks and dust. The marble sheets and tiling and the glazed brickwork, please let them repurpose it! The beautiful staircases...I could cry. Tragic waste. Thanks guys, this is one of your best endeavours!

[@IsabelGomez-b8s]

Impressive building. I would had love to be there...high ceilings, large windows, carved work on ceilings, stone floors & walls...wood work on windows & doors frames, beautiful curved door entries... stunning architecture❤❤❤

[@jrbship]

I've been waiting for this. Out tv station in Allentown has been covering this saga and I'm so glad you guys got to go in. This was pretty recent too. I remember driving by that mini protest

[@LangZyne]

Nothing more proper than the Proper People!

[@dsbup]

Thank you for preserving this architechtural gem! At least those of us who never got to explore it can now see what we missed. It's torn down now, despite all efforts to save it, but this video is a terrific memorial to it.

[@tikinkss]

This is one of your most outstanding films. This deserves an award from the state of PA for helping to preserve a building in film. You guys should be commissioned for your work instead of hiding.

[@Shag471]

Such a wonderful building! Seemed so peaceful there. That curtain in the auditorium is a standard fire curtain designed to stop a fire spreading from the stage to the audience or vice versa. Once the safety cable is cut the curtain will come down and stay down and cannot be locked to stay up again without the fire department. So obviously someone must've cut it recently. The lobby of that place was so beautiful!

[@LONE_STORMER]

3 days ago??

[@martinschiller667]

@@LONE_STORMER wondering the same lol, maybe youtube member?

[@Shag471]

@@LONE_STORMER Patreon members get early access to videos.

[@hvachacker586]

It might be a asbestos fire curtain. May been lowered for abatement.

[@Timsbmx]

“They did the air duct chipotle style”. Lol. They usually use drop ceilings now because it’s more efficient to heat a lowered ceiling.

[@douglasrector972]

The intricate details of the auditorium and lobby and stairwells are amazing and they do a great job back in the day when they built buildings. Even mental hospitals looked nice. I wish they still made buildings today with that much details. Love old buildings and wish it could stay up.

[@GenUltra758]

if this was germany this building would 100% be given monument protection status. which would make it virtually impossible to order its destruction and instead whoever owns it would be legally forced to maintain its original condition

[@lajya01]

Protection status exists everywhere but if the owner is broke or doesn't comply, the place just goes abandoned and decays until the city has no choice but demolition.

[@GenUltra758]

@@lajya01 i see.. well thats unfortunate

[@MonstertruckBadass]

That's nasty.

[@jackyhawkins1895]

It would the same here in the UK 😊

[@JamesKerwin]

@@jackyhawkins1895 we have demolished loads of the old Asylums in the UK - infact most are long gone.

[@loralee4848]

Guys this was excellent! It’s absolutely criminal that the place is being completely demolished instead of repurposed. The old pictures that were slipped in throughout was the very best. I had often wished that someone would show the old elegance in contrast to the decay that so many places are left in today. Thank you. ♥️🦋

[@Truffle-jw4fv]

Idk y but I feel like they should turn this into a school. Could you imagine how beautiful it would be as a school.

[@libertymartin5167]

I have lived on the east side of Allentown, which is where this building was located, my whole life. They definitely should have turned this into a school, we definitely need more of them around here! It was my dream to one day see my future children go to this building as a school. Unfortunately, it's just gone now. I grew up looking at this my whole life, just makes me cry. That tall water tower you see was just demolished last week, really almost puts the cherry on top that this beautiful place is gone.

[@andpeggy3987]

@@libertymartin5167 I hate that they went through with demoing this gorgeous building, I was hoping that it might have been saved :(

[@libertymartin5167]

@@andpeggy3987 - I hate it, too brings tears to my eyes 🥺😢

[@JebBush4Prez]

I live like 50 minutes from this place. Didn’t realize it even existed nor that they filmed Glass there. But it makes sense considering Split was filmed in KOP and Philly.

[@buddhabrand1849]

I had no idea either and I'm like 30 minutes away from it. Pretty cool that films where filmed here. Now Ill have to rewatch them!

[@MamaToFive]

I live in Scranton, and I knew about this place, but have never actually visited it. Such a shame. We have a lot of buildings in my own city that are crumbling and rotting. I think there was even a mansion, but I think that was finally torn down some years ago. I live in the Hill Section (by The University Of Scranton) and we have some old architecture up this way.

[@lumi6945]

This asylum has such beautiful architecture! it would've been nice to see the building preserved as a museum of some sort!

[@mynameisphunk]

Literally just drove by this yesterday, and thought "I wonder if there's any KZbin footage".

[@user-gj7ir7ec8h]

Nice miata

[@M.TTT.]

Nice miata

[@pooki-dooki]

Nice miata

[@bleedingflower0]

One of the doctors that I work for completed her psych clerkship at this hospital. She was the only med student there at the time and said the creepiest thing she saw while working there was a lady that had clawed her eyeballs out during a paranoid schizophrenic episode.

[@eily_b]

😨

[@nassera]

I see

[@EphemeralProductions]

Poor lady. ;(. (The one with the episode)

[@backwoodsjunkie08]

Were they still doing luecotomys in her time?

[@bleedingflower0]

@@backwoodsjunkie08 If you meant to say lobotomy’s I believe she did mention that as well.

[@kevinquist]

Grand travers hospital was rehabbed into a mall,apartments. condos and assisted living. AMAZING re use and saving a beautiful building like this.

[@thornmatthew8395]

Deinstitutionalisation was a huge mistake. I’m a social worker for the record and while I acknowledge there were things which needed fixing the outcome has been far worse than if we’d fixed it.

[@jshaw1503]

I’ve heard statements from judges saying something similar

[@kronks4]

Yea, i agree with you there. Mental health patients don't belong in prisons. They aren't getting the help they really need. While i understand that things like lobotomies and other old practices are now considered inhumane, i do believe that we need to renovate all remaining asylums, rebuild those that can't be renovated, and maybe even build some (to the 21st century standards) so that we can move all the people that need the help to these places instead of prisons. We could relieve so much of a burden away from prisons/jails.

[@thornmatthew8395]

@@kronks4 exactly! All those people were released to their families who often times couldn’t manage the mental health issue of their lives one. To the street they went. The rates in homelessness increased during that time which supports this claim. The mentally ill get cycled through prison and back on the streets where they receive no treatment, end up on drugs or hurting someone, and back to jail they go. It’s crazy to think what one bad decision in a high court can do.

[@spiritmatter1553]

I’m old enough to remember when Reagan closed these institutions and suddenly there were homeless people on the streets. And it hasn’t gotten any better.

[@spiritmatter1553]

Around 18:25, that pink room appears to be a faded shade of Baker Miller Pink, aka "Drunk Tank Pink," a color that was believed to have calming effects on agitated people-even color-blind people.

[@bvf]

I like how this is the insane asylum from the 2019 film glass.

[@stanthehandyman3719]

That pink room at the end of the video was from glass to

[@victoryfaust289]

Such beautiful craftsmanship, it breaks my heart when I hear these places are set for destruction. I love this channel! Thank you for documenting these amazing structures!

[@Yappittyyapyap]

Currently in stage 4 restrictions here in Melbourne, Australia and we’re very bored, barely allowed to leave the house. Just been binge-watching you guys, your content never fails to entertain and intrigue me! Thank you for all the effort that goes into your videos!

[@scoobydoo3115]

I love how respectful you all are of the places you explore and not over dramatic like other shows that explore places

[@irenejagielski5959]

Thank you for sharing. It's so cool to see a young generation appreciate the architecture of these old buildings.

[@michaelbrashears8293]

These places need to be preserved for their historical significance. Turn it into a museum to teach

[@dennisa.]

Someone did offer to purchase the property but the Pennsylvania government turned it down. They offered the same amount of money that it will cost to tear it down. It made the local news.

[@ms_musicarchive]

@@dennisa. the government does tend to be blockheads a lot of the time

[@MedicStorm]

This was actually on the protected list for many years just came off within the last 3 years. Like someone said someone was going to purchase this and preserve it govt shot em down now if I’m not mistaken a housing development owns the land

[@SergeantExtreme]

@@dennisa. It seems that neither the local government nor TCA Properties commented on why the deal fell through, only that it was due to "material issues that could not be resolved".

[@callumbaylissbrandenburg9605]

I never understood your government in America, here in Australia places like that, that are on the historical buildings list would never be torn down. Its against the law and they have to be maintained either by the local council or the owner of the building

[@app1mxh]

We need to open these places back up. Resources are needed.

[@catheyahannas3240]

Those dark rooms you mention on each ward were the storage closets where they kept the meds for each patient on the ward, and anything personal they brought in with them that they didn't want lost or taken by the other patients. Each ward on each floor had one so as to not get the patients mixed up. ASH was a huge working hospital not just a warehouse, so it had people coming in and out 24/7. I don't ever recall hearing about abuse there, the staff there were good kind decent people who tried their best. If the state had just put a small amount of money into roof maintenance and left cows and goats to graze the landscape instead of paying mowers, that big beauty would still be alive and well today. The original construction was built to last with minimal maintenance. This is a classic example of how our government handles our tax dollars!! This could have been converted to small apartments for the homeless and with very little guidance they could have maintained the buildings and grounds by themselves. SMH

[@crazycampers5655]

It's incredably stupid to demolish that piece of history! All the things they could have used it for but I guess they would rather house illegal aliens in hotel rooms!

[@LilPnutDollMom526]

What’s sad is when they first closed, a lot of the residents were placed into agencies that really weren’t equipped for their arrival.

[@moth9181]

When the PA government closed all the state hospitals it left hundreds homeless and turned to the streets. Or like you said, turned to hospitals that weren’t equipped

[@evilwarcow]

www.change.org/p/pennsylvania-state-house-preserve-allentown-state-hospital/psf/promote_or_share

[@jakobrodoski1628]

@@moth9181 there is still an "active" one in my town it only has a few patients but the buildings are reused for various state and local government agency's it has the "kirkbride" architecture style which is cool looking