Abandoned Schoolhouse - Amazing What's Still Inside!

You never know what you might come across in the woods of Florida. This old schoolhouse is sitting here largely undisturbed and left to mother natures slow take over. Some believe this was a church and I guess it could have been at some point. The neighbor with the ringing phone titled it as a schoolhouse, so I guess I ll go with that. Either way, it's a beautiful abandoned building in the woods. One of my favorite sights!
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[@davidstone5236]

Church was built in 1884. It was originally a one room building but had additions built on until the 1940s. The church was active until 1959 when the pastor died. He and his family used to live on the adjacent property. Their is a community cemetery in the woods with the last internment of 1976

[@Karen-hq3cm]

Thank you for the information 😊

[@christopherball7937]

I live in Florida. I would like to explore it. Could you please give location.. Thank you

[@delhatcher8347]

That's a church, the wide door is so you can carry a casket in and out for funerals

[@78StinkinLincoln]

hmm wow great point. well that's oficially settled it!

[@godragons100]

Del Hatcher as a funeral director of 5 generations that is correct. Now because doors over 38 inches are considered special ordered so it’s cheaper to do double doors on a church now instead.

[@b52270]

Definitely...

[@denisewhite3488]

Hey I never thought of that good answer!

[@scotthummel4248]

Interesting

[@mrpaulgrimm6129]

Imagine all the sermons preached . All the weddings and funerals and baptisms

[@JOVIJOLEE]

My dad’s family still has a church that looks like that out in Louisiana. When they have service it’s like a time warp, you can really feel the history.

[@vinmarz]

This is definitely not a school house. It's a good ole Southern Baptist church. Hallelujah praise the Lord!

[@S_Cooper0404]

Back in the day, some church buildings were used as both.

[@vinmarz]

@@S_Cooper0404 True

[@jeffw8057]

Definitely NOT a school house...in reality it's not that old of a structure. It's probably no older than 70 years old. The rural areas of Northern Florida/Southern Alabama are littered with similar abandoned old churches.

[@africaisacontinent2149]

AMEN

[@ethelhoose7624]

Back then they served as both

[@deborahallen3318]

This is beautiful! It's a very old church, the windows and the front doors give away the secret!

[@Magnetron33]

and the stage

[@78StinkinLincoln]

more likely a church considering it's got a stage for the pulpit

[@songbirdy]

78 Stankin Lankin And the choir.

[@dee0731]

I love history from “Little House on the Prairie” days. I love old school houses, thank you for sharing!

[@waynejoey2842]

Great find. One of the few places you’ve explored that hasn’t been graffitied.

[@MobileInstinct2]

I thought the same thing! Extremely rare find

[@rudyschwab7709]

@@MobileInstinct2 Good choice keeping the location undisclosed. Otherwise, it would be goobered up quick.

[@gothicshadowstgg]

It might have doubled as a school house, but I think it was mainly a church. Would love to visit back in time and see the building in it's heyday. Enjoying going on these adventures with you, Chris.

[@tiffanystephens3460]

I can see through all the decay and see the ppl inside having church service or school either way I love old buildings

[@Wrench245]

I'm willing to wager that it served both as a church and a school house. Of the key things I note are the cross flow windows; on a hot day, open the windows and you'd get some breeze through the building and if someone had gas, they could poison people on the other side of the aisle. I've seen quite a few, very old, buildings that were both school and church. One of those being a church that also houses a day care and kindergarten.

[@MobileInstinct2]

I bet you're right

[@cindydaniels3964]

@@MobileInstinct2 Think you are accurate.

[@MrTBoneMalone]

Just a quick look up on the internet tells me that Krell Pianos were made until about 1950. It's always a wonder as to how long something has to be neglected to reach this level of decay.

[@mikehicks8064]

Definitely a church. One room schoolhouses didn't have stages. Someone also mentioned the door width for funerals. The decorative arched windows would have been an extra expense that wouldn't have been added to a public school.

[@rexluminus9867]

That tree was down around 10 years ago.Great video fine details. The children grew up teachers passed away.Near the end you can hear a rooster a couple of times.Life moved on.

[@terryanderson5947]

I would love to know the history on this building

[@shirleytrost4553]

I would love to know a lot about a lot of the buildings they show and I'm not talking about houses I'm talking about places like this. Of course I do like farm I think their way cool to.

[@TheShornak]

Reminds me of the a church that was used in The Walking Dead.

[@MobileInstinct2]

Good one! I forgot all about that

[@SJM6791]

Holy shit!!! You’re absolutely right.

[@MrRobbyvent]

quite smaller

[@novemberwallace7059]

I love old buildings and homes I always say if walls could talk think about all the stories and songs they could tell

[@buddy8225]

Reminds of the old church I discovered in nw Nebraska two years ago. Pretty decent shape except the entrance was missing a few boards. But it had a basement that wasn’t flooded. Funny thing is the stage was still in great shape and it to had a piano. Thanks for sharing. 😀

[@karens.5515]

Krell Piano Company began in 1889 and, due to the deaths of one brother and the father, by about 1900 the remaining Krell son moved the company out of Cincinnati to Springfield and began manufacturing Krell-French pianos. Krell was a very well made instrument and highly regarded. The church had some wealthy members, it would seem. I really enjoy your videos. Such interesting finds!

[@russellpottenger8584]

It’s not often you see abandon buildings that haven’t been vandalized.

[@LeslieLove]

That ringing made the video have this scary feel to it.

[@pamelahsmithsmith2366]

Well we all know Cassie was there, just hope no one else comes in and writes all over this treasure..

[@OneWayDesigns]

This reminds me if my home church, up in the hills. We used to have a bell up in the steeple that rang until it had to be removed in the early 90s. Great video, I can imagine the many services held there.

[@robertduffy1444]

I love the symmetry of old structures

[@saxon840]

I hope the neighbors were ok. That was a lot of rings.

[@MobileInstinct2]

Crazy thing is he was home! Walking around his yard haha

[@saxon840]

@@MobileInstinct2 lol!

[@andreasma3]

@@MobileInstinct2 Hehe... probably still ringing :-)

[@TravelwithAustin]

It was also very loud. Wonder if he is hard of hearing.

[@ladidi4935]

He was too busy trying to see what he was doing and his neighbor was calling to tell him dude was at the church/school. Lol

[@BBQNBLUES]

Thoroughly Enjoy your videos ! especially the Old Churches. What an Amazing structural Beam System.

[@lori3978]

The trusses are the whole reason this old church is still standing. I can just look at this old place and see how the committee came together. No 📺 ‘s , cellphones and such. I really enjoy your content.

[@jameshaberkamp5927]

I like how you explore these beautiful old buildings without causing further damage.

[@willowgleam]

Same

[@olivercromwell7937]

Always Christmas decorations and chairs just chillin'

[@monaramsey2752]

This is beautiful, love old buildings like this,

[@starkconplays]

It’s crazy that some great abandoned places are right off the highway and no one even knows that they’re there! Heck, I probably pass an abandoned thing in the woods everyday and have no idea!

[@MobileInstinct2]

I bet you do!

[@sanditrevaskis8586]

Not too far off the beaten path. Sounds like cars in the background

[@mehchocolate1257]

@@MobileInstinct2 ever explore abandoned places in Canada

[@AbandonedExplorationUrbex1979]

Right

[@michaelhungate7506]

Looks rough but these were incredibly well built, like they used to build them. It will be standing another 75 years.

[@joesinkovits6591]

Chris, hello from suburban Chicago! I found your channel by accident, and I love your videos! You are far braver than I to go through these places all alone. Can’t wait to see what you’ll explore next! Thanks!

[@_John_Tyree_]

The Krell Piano Company was established in 1889 Albert Krell with his sons Alexander and Albert Jr. Son, Alexander, died in 1895 followed by Albert Sr. in 1900 leaving Albert Jr. to run the business. Abert then partnered with Jesse French to establish "Krell-French Piano Company". Albert Krell left the "Krell-French Piano Company" in 1905. Sooo...if you do the math, any piano with the name "Krell" only (not Krell-French) would have to have been made between 1889 and 1904. So that's piano is pretty dang old.

[@cargoloyalty9978]

That’s some impressive research you did lol.

[@craighuxtable746]

The Krell name was used until the 1950s. Restored can be valued up to $22.000 according to a site I found.

[@Carolbearce]

I love your videos and the respect you show. Keep the videos coming we love to live vicariously through you!

[@reneelagrandeur7220]

It probably was both at one point in time. Church on a Sunday, one room school house from Monday to Friday.

[@SueGirling68]

A cool find, quite rare to find a one roomed school house, that really awesome. Thank you. x

[@Godschild316]

Church and school is about rite for the time period. God Bless you much Thanks for this post 😊

[@pbs4535]

sometimes there's a date on those old upright pianos my grandmother had a piano it had a date on the back dated back to April 1881 if you encounter a piano like this the date may be hard to see or find. thanks for sharing your videos are very good And very interesting.

[@kimkastl-williams114]

Wow, amazing history it must carry, thank you for sharing...

[@sueannstewart5821]

Church is what I was thinking,plus the piano

[@_WadeBuchanan_]

I've watched a lot of exploration videos and it seems like nearly every abandoned building has Christmas decor SOMEWHERE. Haha. TheProperPeople joke about it all the time on their channel. I just found both of your channels this week and I'm burning through your videos every night. Keep up the good work! Very entertaining!

[@MJARTBYDAY]

I always try to go back in time when the people lived in the village and went to church often. Maybe it was used as a school house too ... Very interesting to see .. There is always some kind of Christmas decorations or a tree and toys in an abandoned place.

[@suebennett9347]

Old buildings facinate me....just think of all the people who walked thru those doors and what memories that this place holds for them.

[@JGM1721]

Never seen such beautiful features on an old schoolhouse. That poor piano was a decaying/mummified corpse! Thanks for the tour.

[@kimdogmom7468]

Beautiful. Great find.

[@duke4172]

Back in the country in smaller communities The church And school used the same building so that there was no need to build two building Remember the Little House On The Prairie TV show how the pulled a Curtin in front of the chalk board!

[@dianemac3768]

Love your videos and am catching up on back ones........thanks for your choices of subject Chris

[@cassiefriedman1446]

Your brave walking on that floor you can tell that it's rooted through

[@dannyd7280]

Thank you for sharing be safe be careful in these areas🐊🐊🐊🐊🐍🐍🐍🐍🦨🦨

[@hazevthewolf178]

Interesting video. My guess is that the building was a church. The little room off to one side of the stage is a feature of church architecture. As Wrench245 said, it could have doubled as a school. Safe travels...

[@MobileInstinct2]

Very true

[@hazevthewolf178]

@@MobileInstinct2 You may be amused by this. When my brother got married he and I were hiding in a little room just off the stage. He was wondering if anyone was going to show up. I opened the door to the little room and looked outside. "Chris (you and he share a name), they're lined up around the block." Chris, "Oh my God!"

[@rustyaxelrod]

If you find yourself in other places like this, a couple things to look for is the construction of the beams, ax marks would be older than saw marks, notches and wooden pegs are older than bolts and square nails are older than round nails. Sometimes if you look close you can tell the original structure from the more modern additions. I think the fact that half of the door knob was missing, revealing it was stamped sheetmetal halves put together may mean it was more modern than earlier knobs which were solid cast metal or even glass or ceramic coated. Many little clues even in a place as empty as this one. Cool explore and good job on the video!👍

[@Sh3llShockGaming]

It is amazing what you can find in the woods. I was doing some work supervising cleanup crews after a hurricane hit in Eastern, NC. This was like sometime between 2010-2013. I don't remember which hurricane. Anyway, I basically followed this crew around all day and kept logs etc. I followed them in my car obviously it was easier this way and they moved a lot. One day we were on the outskirts of the town and I was parked on the side of the road up next to the tree line. I noticed in the woods what appeared to be a small black gate. I went maybe 20 feet into the woods and it was an old family cemetery. There was a confederate soldier buried there, some other people. There were some very old graves and even older headstones which you could barely read. Very cool. I never did research any of the names but I assume it was a family plot from the nearby farm that was pretty much forgotten over time. I have come across several gravesites like this. There are a couple I can see from the highway on the way to work and I just happen to live by the small cemetery in my town. There are also very old houses and churches around here. My cousin had this very old 2 story house on his farm. It was just in the middle of the damn woods. This was way before 2004 and we would play paintball matches based around the house. It had some crazy stuff in there. Old toys and newspapers. Clothes. Just random shit. It has since been torn down.

[@dafyddr8678]

Fantastic find !

[@heidip5042]

Reminds me of a church but could be a one room schoolhouse also. That home phone ringing shows ya how close that house is to this place.

[@petermaniscalco7426]

Legend has it the phone is still Ringing till this Day 😁

[@gregreaves]

That's a wood workers gold mine right there

[@cathyholt1035]

School houses was also the church house every Sunday

[@greyferguson9319]

Such a cool building, love the rafters & windows. Was beautiful even in its decay.

[@HopeandFaithHomesread]

A historical landmark.

[@Debbzvanventure]

Beautiful. I love the close-up shots.

[@Bentcypress]

Another great video. Thanks!

[@tmntforever2684]

Chris a super find but it always makes me sad to see such beautiful buildings left abandoned. ( I think the neighbour was out! )

[@gwengwen4535]

Really beautiful building💗

[@ilmllc.232]

Man i love you camera skills.. steady hands

[@jdrose1000]

That’s awesome!

[@titaniumman_22]

That piano is probably from the early 1900’s. Awesome video.

[@Pro-Deo]

There's some evps in this. The loudest one is when a creepy older lady says "Step right in" at 1:56-1:57 just as he's going into the church. She says it on top of the neighbors phone ringing.

[@thedailydanblog247]

Very interesting place you found

[@MrRobbyvent]

seeing that piano broke my heart

[@cjbrown8245]

Peaceful place

[@karrysasfoot5407]

Nice video.....thanks for sharing

[@JoMarieM]

In many rural communities back in the late 1800s and early 1900s, some buildings were used for both school and church. It's also likely that this could have been a community center of some kind as well. Perhaps this building served all three purposes!

[@lindafarmer3940]

Beautiful building. Could have been school/church. Thanks for sharing.

[@kathycagg6531]

What a beautiful find! I’m more inclined to think it is a church. The raised platform would be the place from which the preacher would speak. Thanks, Chris!

[@rexluminus9867]

Also for theatrical and celebration events perhaps.

[@gypsyhobo3958]

Stage also for baptisms.

[@JoMarieM]

This is an old church, and the section that collapsed was most likely a wing for Sunday school classes. I went to a country church that was something like this as a child, and I can just imagine all the things that went on in that building -- funerals, weddings, Christmas presentations put on by the kids, visiting missionaries giving speeches. That church was probably the heart of that community at one time, and now its members are most likely all dead. I just wonder why and when this church was abandoned -- during the Depression years, maybe, when a lot of people suffered hard times and had to move away to make a living, and perhaps there weren't enough people left to keep the church going? And why was the piano left behind? There are a lot of things I would LOVE to know about this particular church!

[@dezertraider]

Thank You Chris,Watch for snakes,They will mess you up. Very cool video,Its always cool when you find old stuff like this.'Safe Travels.Stay Well.73

[@MobileInstinct2]

Surprisingly I haven't seen many in Florida. I'm always watching for them though for sure

[@dezertraider]

@@MobileInstinct2 Thank you Chris..If your in the SE Georgia area,In the 70s there were lots of abandoned places.Many that still had old,dilapidated signs reading Whites or Colored only.It was a shock for me to see that.. Thank you again.73

[@MMAfighter38113]

Wish we had more history on this place, such as the year it opened & the year it closed. If I came across this myself, I would’ve assumed it was a church with the piano & large stage(preacher, choir).

[@dariusketchup4781]

Would be great if someone restored it to its original glory. I love old churches and buildings.

[@RichieRouge206]

Guess the neighbour wasn’t at home 😂 pretty interesting church!

[@patriciarussell7487]

First time sub. Love that church! Fla. here too!🤗

[@theunspoke815]

That back part was prolly a porch!!! And yes! Back in the day, they combined church, school & playhouse for plays!

[@cindydriver9112]

I love old school houses!

[@KitschyTravels]

What a beauty!

[@denisejames6015]

Wow! That church is really old.

[@anthonykago4428]

nice find. Really clean.

[@jasonchristian958]

Nicely done on the footage 👍

[@sherrybaby5672]

Definitely a church. You can tell by the shape of the windows. Possibly also used as a school, because a lot of small communities did that around the turn of the century. There are a lot of old abandoned churches around Florida, off the beaten path.

[@walteralvarez8230]

This is cool to see .

[@aimee2014]

He's so cute!! And does a great job!! I wonder if he gives good hugs

[@shanec9325]

Always a nasty ho in everything

[@clairvoyantrose5581]

Wow that's awesome I want to go in there

[@cindysplace]

That piano almost looks like an old Player Piano. Awesome explore! Well done!

[@MobileInstinct2]

I didn't even think of looking inside the top more. It would have been so great to find an old roll in there

[@cdd4248]

It is during these videos that I wish I was a millionaire - restoring this church would be a labor of love and money!

[@vikkigillespie8945]

That is Amazing!!!!

[@MobileInstinct2]

Very cool place!

[@miriamowens203]

Great history

[@oldenweery7510]

I agree with those who say this was a church, as it's too big to be a one-room schoolhouse, plus I've never seen one with a "stage." The platform was for the minister and perhaps even the choir. I was really excited to see the Howe pattern roof trusses when you first entered and of course throughout the video every time you aimed the camera upward. The triangulated system of chords and braces was very strong and less complicated than the Pratt and other structural patterns, which were developed and named for the engineers who designed them for bridges. For those viewers who enjoy Chris's gentle, well-paced---quiet---videos, I recommend Urban Exploring With Kappy, who finds a lot of these hidden treasures of out past. Actually, the "Urban" part of his channel's name isn't totally accurate, as most of his historic abandoned places are partially or almost completely hidden in the Carolinas, Virginia, and other rural areas. His loyal followers are constantly amazed, commenting, "How do you even _find_ these interesting places?" (Similar to Chris's discoveries!)

[@darrin990]

It's such an awesome piece of history! so amazing nobody has sprayed graffiti all over

[@MrSpeedysChannel]

Pretty cool!!!

[@rblood8076]

👍stay safe.