Exploring Breezewood, PA - Abandoned Tourist Trap Town

Breezewood Pennsylvania was once an essential stop for any traveler crossing PA through the Lincoln Highway. In recent years the town has fallen into decline and is now full of abandoned motels, restaurants, and gas stations. Join me as I explore some of the abandoned and interesting buildings in this strange location!
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[@mlbrooks4066]

Yep, it's insane, but when corporate American abandon's something they really abandon it. Just flat out leave and never touch the site again and never give a darn if it sits and rots and becomes a community eyesore forever. Corporate American does not clean up after itself.

[@jimlahey3919]

Well if they don’t have the money to stay in business, obviously it’s not in the budget to demolish a site. I’m sure you’ve heard of bankruptcy before.

[@nyccollin]

*America

[@apocyldoomer]

Just like the huge old Packard Plant in Detroit, finally scheduled to be demolished, but too much red tape, they demolished some of it, and No, I don’t live in Detroit, I’m from Pennsylvania. I watch a lot of Urbexing, that’s how I know.

[@mlbrooks4066]

I used to pass through Breezewood all the time as I headed from MD to Greensburg PA but it's worse now than I remember it. One big thing you missed, though, and that was the part of the story that tells you why things happened in Breezewood they way the did. It wasn't the lack of traffic on US30 (Lincoln Highway) that messed things up. It was Interstate 70, coming from Baltimore and DC. It connects to the PA Turnpike at Breezewood BUT not directly. The powers that be back when Interstate 70 was built determined that it had to stop at Breezewood, then they built a connection to the turnpike a half mile or so to the east, so that traffic actually HAD to go through Breezewood, in theory to keep its commercial value going. It was awful. As trucking deregulation came along, the truck traffic became unbearable. Instead of people stopping in Breezewood as they went from Interstate 70 to the turnpike, or the other way around, NOBODY stopped at Breezewood. You couldn't wait to get out of there. Take a look at a map and you will see what I mean. Personally, I would turn left where Interstate 70 stopped and take US 30 west to Greensburg instead of the turnpike. It was right along that route on Sept. 11, 2001 that Flight 93 came down. I was heading back to MD from Greensburg that day, heard about the crash, and found my way down to US 40 in MD to come back east. I didn't want to get caught up blocking any rescue efforts. I didn't know at the time that there was no one to rescue. It's on US30 west of Breezewood where the Flight 93 Memorial now stands.

[@edmcguire9940]

My wife and I are making the Eastern Shore to Greensburg trek frequently. The Grand babies are there! Spent a few nights at the motel next to Sheetz, after getting a late start on Fridays after work. We do tend to miss most of the Bay Bridge traffic that way.

[@athleticguy15]

I-70 doesn't stop in Breezewood, it joins the Pennsylvania Turnpike (1-76), and leaves the Turnpike at New Stanton heading west to West Virginia and Ohio;

[@waynehullihen3066]

Flight 93 came down in Somerset county. Breezwood is in Bedford county. Breezwood is quite a distance from Shanksville.

[@markhayden1]

That's an awesome answer, even before the 911 connection 👍

[@timothyslaughter476]

Interesting. You explain things as they need to be explained. Hardly ever happens in these comments sections. Thanks.

[@meredithsdg]

Breezewood used to advertise itself as "The Town of Motels." As car transportation has improved, people travel farther and faster and the need to stop for the night midway through the state has waned. Hardees wasn't doing a lot of business before the fire. There's an abandoned Wendy's at the bottom of the hill below Bob Evans. A high volume of traffic comes in and out of Baltimore and DC on I-70. Holiday weekends can be insane. The turnpike commission should put in an EZ-Pass slip ramp to I-70 east, but that would almost completely kill the town. I live about 25 miles from here. It has been sad to see so much of it rot away...

[@RayOutThere]

It really is sad, it used to be quite a cool spot for travellers

[@BobConnor-n2g]

If the turnpike commission placed an EZ Pass at I-70 it would be a good thing as the town is dead anyway. Best thing I think to do is somehow get the state and turnpike to take over the area, demolish all the abandoned buildings, let that return to nature and have a ramp for a much smaller and viable Breezewood. If you are in the middle of PA like that for a motel, I recommend either trying to make it west to Pittsburgh or East to Carlisle to find a motel for the family.

[@BobConnor-n2g]

I think Covid really caused a lot of decline for Breezewood.

[@meredithsdg]

@@BobConnor-n2g Breezewood was decaying long before covid, I'm afraid.

[@avantgarde999xxx]

I miss the neon sign on 76E that said "The Town of Motels"

[@davidmeckley3773]

Back in 93 I had to go out on a road call to unfreeze a fuel crossover line on a Ford Louisville. Out on the turnpike and I had to shovel the snow out from under it first. Froze my rear off! Don't miss those days!

[@donaldmilhoan6379]

I remember stopping here with folks traveling thru here in 1960's, as a kid, we stopped here, ate lunch. Traveling from Ohio to Washington DC. I remember then, was very nice area.

[@nightshade5799]

The first abandoned gas station you pointed out after the kebab place was a sheetz but when the former gas station that the current sheetz building is at went out of business they moved the business over for easier access. There was a kfc next to the taco bell/kebab place but that was bought out by the owners of the Gateway many years ago and then demolished. Between the kebab place and abandoned sheetz was a failed sports bar that was only open for about 2 years. At one point that abandoned Ramada was used/was going to be used as a place for documenting the history of the abandoned turnpike not too far down the road from breezewood, I can't remember when that happened but I saw signs for it when I was working at the quality inn across the street. The budget inn was burned and I believe it was because of some squatters occupying the building, I heard rumors of a meth lab but I can't verify if that was actually the cause. Had the unique opportunity of watching the building catch on fire from the Gateway during one of my shifts there. Really cool to see somewhere you live show up in other people's projects, awesome video.

[@marcneville42]

The burnt-out Budget Inn was destroyed by a fire that began when hotel employees were trying to kill a bedbug infestation by superheating rooms. I don't know what they used for this, whether electric or propane gas space heaters. The news reports at the time noted that some exterminators use heat but it's better to use insecticides, but in either case, once bedbugs move into a hotel, it's usually the end of the business.

[@alfredeneuman6966]

Sorry to see Breezewood in such decline. I once traveled a territory for a job that included Breezewood. I also frequently float fished the nearby Raystown Branch of the Juniata River and have fond memories there. I still have a hat from the Juniata Trading Post off Rt. 30.

[@brucesmith9144]

Much of central PA is in decline.

[@clyoul3ss819]

I remember seeing it in the 70's and 80's visting my grandparents. I remember lots of colorful signs at night sort of thought it was a massive trucker stop!

[@jeee1074]

The best days of this town are long gone. It seems like this area has had some bad luck with fires as well. Pretty cool area to explore.

[@jimlahey3919]

Bad luck with fires? Come on. You must know they were all intentional insurance scams

[@RothEnglishSchool]

In my late teens in 1969, I drove a number of miles from Six Mile Run to work as a waitress in the Howard Johnson's restaurant in Breezewood, PA. I wonder if there was Howard Johnson Motor Lodge there with a pool. Maybe not. I paid little attention to my surroundings in that town. So little that one day a man, who was loud and slurring his speech, and his wife came in. They were escorted to my area. He wanted an alcoholic beverage, and I told him we didn’t serve alcohol. He said, “What kind of a town is this?” I answered, “A dry one.” His wife said, “There! She told you!” When I told our hostess about the conversation, she told me that there was a Howard’s Johnsons’ bar right next door. I was glad I hadn’t noticed. I do remember the story that all the flavors of ice cream, that Howard Johnsons was famous for, were supposedly on the ceiling. When a customer ordered a shake, we’d put a couple of big scoops of the ice cream they wanted in a metal container and added a bit of milk. Then we attached the container to one of beaters that were part of a circular blender. Never did believe the story about the flavors being on the ceiling until one day a shake I was whipping up, flew off the beater and hit the ceiling. Sure enough! There were all the flavors on display up there for everyone to view. Apparently, the health department never noticed. One night just before closing, a tour bus pulled in. The Howard Johnson workers were devastated because we were hoping to be able to get a good start on the cleaning before we closed at midnight. The many passengers would put us way behind in our work. Didn’t seem fair. Several employees were grumbling. Turns out, it wasn’t a tour bus. It was Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner, and they were escorted to one of my tables. I don’t remember anyone else coming in. And, I don’t remember what they ate. I do remember that Porter did all of the ordering and told me “what the lady would like.”

[@austinaubinoe]

Truly well done. I've stopped here before and checked it out. Never noticed the Steak Buffet sign before. The Penn Air motel always creeped me out. A few years ago I stayed at the Lincoln Motor Court not far from here and biked the first abandoned tunnel out of breezewood. Whole thing feels like a mid century ruin now. Soon it may just be cornfields again. Also recommend the Horn O plenty restaurant nearby.

[@arthurchadwell9267]

I'm always fascinated by back roads, abandoned towns and old stuff. I guess I read Blue Highways too much as a kid back in the early 80s...

[@TonyTitleGuy]

I hear what you're saying. God bless.

[@JL-sm6cg]

This would be PennDOT's chance to finally make the connection from the PA turnpike to I-70 an actual freeway.

[@user-iamRobinV68]

Oh yay! Ray taking us on a tour! Love it! 🥰🥰🥰

[@RayOutThere]

Glad you liked it!

[@washingtoncommandcenter5541]

Some friends of mine lived in that dilapidated "Strip" motel, there used to be a Denny's across the street from it. They had cheap week rates & it was basically like efficiency living for a bunch of junkies & people that had just got out of jail.

[@RayOutThere]

That's unfortunate

[@clemzahrobsky2137]

when the interstate from the south was build the pols in Pa. would not allow a direct connection to the Pa. turnpike so breezewood would not lose the traffic and business

[@jwsibelievehikeandfly2272]

Awwww the shoe bandit hits again. I wish he would come to my wife’s closet 😂😂😂

[@HippieDave351]

You missed the abandoned Pennsylvania turnpike, known as the Ghost Road. The turnpike is over ten miles of great mountain bike riding with two tunnels through the mountains, bring lights as they are long...... It terminates at Breezewood and heads east, the tunnels have great two story tall rooms with air ducts and fans on a huge scale that kept the air clean in the tunnels, great to explore! We ate at the 1950's style diner before and loved it,,,, nice people.

[@davidpancerev9658]

Lights don't do much good in the tunnels. I tried it

[@HippieDave351]

@@davidpancerev9658 then you need better lights.... We ride our bikes through the tunnels at speed, then we use the same lights off our bikes in the air conditioning rooms....

[@davidneman6527]

Another commenter mentioned the Ramada Inn as the access point for the Ghost Road. That no longer works because PennDOT recently demolished the Ghost Road overpass over US-30. The new Ghost Road trailhead is at the intersection of US-30, just east of the turnpike entrance.

[@cheaplaughkennedy2318]

Our family would always stop there back in the sixties and early seventies. My father would always decide to either take the turnpike or old route up to Boswell Pennsylvania. A lot of great memories.

[@XJag9684]

I'm kinda devastated seeing this. I've passed thru here as a kid all my childhood. Going from Maryland to Akron Ohio to visit family every thanksgiving during the 80s-90s. One of the first places I seen a Sheetz 20+years ago. All the cool Big Rigs and shady motels and neon lights. I'll never forget!

[@B-and-O-Operator-Fairmont]

The stainless diner looks like one of the ones made by Starlite Diners in Florida. There is one in Fairmont, WV (D.J.'s Diner) that is narrower, but has the same glass block corners, glass block booth ends, and general indoor decor and color scheme.

[@AintScaredGarage]

I been in Breezywood as we call it a million times when I drove a truck

[@ericsierra-franco7802]

I went through Breezewood many times in the 80's and it was a thriving commercial strip then. Sad to see what has happened to the town.

[@arthurchadwell9267]

America was thriving in the 80s... Last 30+ years has been rough...

[@jeffjames4064]

Its where I go to when I need to stock up on fireworks. Phantom fireworks for when you think you have too many fingers.😊

[@larrybailey1896]

Bet the food that place sold was GOOD food back in the 40s and 50s.

[@JimBrownski]

Even through the early 90s. Used to go thru every year coming from DC to Indianapolis on 70

[@computerweenie]

Interstate 70 comes to an end in Breezewood and you have to take a short jaunt to the entrance of the Pennsylvania Turnpike to continue. It was setup that way so that Breezewood wouldn't go under.

[@SchardtCinematic]

I wondered where the Hardee's dissapeared to when i drove through in June of this year. Sad I didn't know it burnt down. The diner was a Denny's at one time. I ate there with my kids in 2014. Also they tore that old motel down now. I remember when I was a kid Breezewood was a bustling stop in the late 70's and 80's even into the 90's for a bit. I still love going through Breezewoid regardless. I'm always passing through heading to Meyersdale or Somerset Pa.

[@SteelCityResistance]

The retro diner was a 1950's mockup Denny's. I ate there many times. Sad situation.

[@SchardtCinematic]

I feel like Breezewood is the Radiator Springs of Pennsylvania. People go through, but nit many stop and stay like they used too.

[@g.t.richardson6311]

Travel habits changed

[@SchardtCinematic]

@g.t.richardson6311 Oh definitely since the 40's and 50's. Once the 60's hit people wanted to keep moving on road trips and not slow down to eat a nice meal at HoJos anymore. Now the T PA Turnpike and Breezewood are fadt food and convince stores. Only people that seem to stay in a motel in Breezewood is to go to the Abandoned PA Turnpike close by.

[@derekslonaker7424]

I'm sorry to see the diner closed. The food was good there in it's several versions. I believe the last time I ate there it was a Denny's. That was one of three restaurants we used to frequent on our visits to The Juniata Trading Post sporting goods store just a few miles West from there on Route US Route 30. I haven't been back to see Jerry and the gang since I've become disabled. It's sad to see Breezewood in such bad conditions. It used to be an oasis for travelers off the PA Turnpike since the 40s and later I-70 junction.

[@SchardtCinematic]

I ate at that Dennys with my kids in 2014 after going to the Abandoned PA Turnpike.

[@carlthoresen3232]

Definitely was a Denny’s when they were getting into their faux-50s diner schtick. It wasn’t that long ago that I ate there on my way from Pittsburgh to Philly. Looks like the property went downhill fast

[@tiggersmith501]

My sister used to work there at Howard Johnson's back in the 60s

[@DanKirchner5150]

yeah sad indeed that dennys diner i recall stopping at on the way to wildwood from cleveland with my dad his gf ,2 sisters and my 2 daughters back in 2000 wow am i old lol

[@etmill011]

The Restaurant was a Denny's, I worked at the Flying J Truck stop and the Restaurant when it was Denny's was run by the owners of the Flying J, if I remember correctly Denny's yanked the franchise license because of a contract violation

[@slackingpacking]

Wow! What a surreal place.

[@RayOutThere]

Yes indeed!

[@tomlacko606]

The abandoned diner at the 7:59 minute mark was actually a Denny's Restaurant for about 2 years. It was then relabeled as "The American Diner." Was still owned by Dennys with a different branding. That only lasted about 2 years too.

[@woltzwurld6760]

Until the 90’s, the turnpike rest stops (in terms of food) were awful, you would use the restrooms and grab a drink. Breezewood would have the huge buffets for the greyhound bus lines. It was the place for an enjoyable stop before getting back on the turnpike.

[@michaelmedlen]

I used to be a bus driver for cleveland southeastern-and we would fuel up there, and drop off my people to eat at one of the restaurants.wow,you cant even recognize the town any more.so sad.

[@michaellazor9645]

I grew up 15 minutes from breezewood and spent a lot of time in breezewood. What everyone sees as a dump I see as home. For all it’s faults I’d rather it any day over a place like Philadelphia

[@peterbillings3276]

The gateway plaza you started in has an office upstairs for a wonderful chaplain who serves “travelers” in need of food, direction, shower kits, prayer, etc. I moved nearby from NJ, and I am continually surprised by what life you can find in these places if you know where to look.

[@RayOutThere]

Absolutely! Theres so much cool stuff out there, you just have to go looking for it

[@etmill011]

I lived in Breezewood for a few years and if I remember correctly the chaplain you're talking about his name was Pastor Bruce, he is definitely an amazing person, when I lived in Breezewood the Hotel I was staying at The Village Motel caught on fire , Pastor Bruce helped me out alot after the fire

[@peterbillings3276]

@@etmill011 That’s him! Didn’t think I’d run into someone who knew him on here. Then again, he’s helped a lot of people. Hope you’re doing well now.

[@etmill011]

@@peterbillings3276 yes he has helped a lot of people, he is definitely a good person..I'm doing good now, thank you

[@johnbgood52]

Breezewood was a regular stop for me back in the 1970s.

[@Max126]

The abandoned Ramada Inn was originally a Holiday Inn....opened in the early 60's.....The Ramada Inn had an excellent Sunday Brunch back in the mid 70's !

[@coffee8866]

only use I have for Breezewood is Phantom Fireworks.

[@JimBrownski]

Breezewood was the first stop for me every year traveling with my grandma to drop me off at my grandfathers house in Indianapolis every summer coming from DC. I would get excited because that was always the first “grandma I’m hungry!” Stop lol sad to heard that Hardee’s burned down . That or McDonald’s were my go to. It was a super rest stop before those places were in abundance. Great memories of getting truckers to honk their horn for us too lol

[@remley8877]

The Gateway Travel Plaza had the last operating Radio Shack on the upper level until just a couple years ago. The demolished building in the hotel across the street was the hotel's bar and restaurant, until a kitchen fire burned the interior up about 4 years ago. There used to be a nice old guy working there named Tom. I used to stop there and chatt with him when I passed through. When the Flying J truck stop closed, or at least closed it's parking I stopped going to Breezewood. I have stopped at the Gateway Travel Plaza a couple of times, out of desperation, since then, but it's no longer a place I try to take a day off as a truck driver. 10 years ago it was one of my favorite places to spend the weekend. I miss Breezewood the way it was.

[@puck30]

Breezewood! Use to stop there with my big truck back in the day.

[@michaelmackenzie4644]

Hi Ray That was a great explore sad to see those motels in that state that were probably once great placed to stay hopefully that Ramada hotel gets a re build always enjoy your videos!

[@RayOutThere]

Thank you, I really appreciate it!

[@robertross804]

thanks from liberty ky love the dinner

[@maltmustang5075]

I think it's fitting that the person who just gave this video its 1000th "like" is also someone who passed through there twice today [me!]

[@paanne1013]

My son and I got stuck spending the night there because we were exhausted (June 4, 2022) and it was getting dark (we had to go through the mountains) and it was the worst place we have ever stayed. We stayed in the motel right behind the Hardy's, nasty place, but it was the only place available. I feel sorry for the people who lived there and are stuck there. We only have another hour to go, but were unaware of that at the time.

[@RayOutThere]

Yikes sorry

[@SophieBird07]

Lol I totally agree with you. Breezewood was terrible even back in the late 1990’s. We were traveling (in a February blizzard) from New England to a funeral further west, with 4 young kids. By 9:30 at night we were so desperate to stop, having been on the road for hours and hours that we made the mistake of stopping at Breezewood. The room was terrible, even the sink was cracked and broken. I just made the kids lie down on top of the bed in their coats. We caught a few zzz’s then left as soon as possible. I had travelled in my earlier years through Europe then east through Iran, India and Afghanistan by bus, low budget style, and Breezewood took the cake on dirty creepy places I had ever seen.

[@TonyTitleGuy]

I hate to say this, but the motel business is mostly run by these same nationalities. I was in the motel business 50 years ago, when it started changing. Our idiot government gives them special tax breaks for a few years when they buy a motel. When the tax breaks run out, they trade with a relative for another morel and the tax breaks start all over again.

[@lorid3628]

Wow! So many abandoned places in one town. That diner looked super cool. We enjoy your videos! Have you ever done Steam Town Mall in Scranton, PA? Directly next to a train museum. And a trolley museum across from that.

[@RayOutThere]

I hope to make it there eventually!

[@karenfitzsimons5895]

I used to travel through here once a month from pittsburgh to northern Virginia when my father was still living. This brings back many memories for me.

[@arthurchadwell9267]

I am sorry for your loss.

[@snaushdivaso6414]

I’m from Pittsburgh and I was stationed at fort Meade, Maryland for years. I stopped in breezewood dozens of times!

[@markstrouse3101]

Great great video Ray. I was told Breezewood had a lot of arson fires

[@SurflinerF59PHI]

𝐎𝐡 𝐍𝐨!

[@RayOutThere]

Insurance fraud? 🤔Thank you glad you enjoyed it!

[@peterbillings3276]

All the more reason to capture this stuff before it disappears

[@MrCate1999]

Used to pass through here while I was in the Navy, driving from Norfolk VA to Youngstown OH.

[@drohegda]

Youngstown in the 60s,Mill Creek Park, Idora Park, Struthers Boom Boom Mancini, Midlothian Blvd, Bikers Joey Naplesdd

[@BlizzyGT-i7e]

I remember when the Hardee’s caught on fire and my dad loved that Hardee’s every time he drove past it he stopped

[@ST-ql1yy]

Just stopped in Breezewood for gas on a road trip and recognized the chrome diner from your video! So crazy how it looks like they just up and left in the middle of a lunch rush. Used plates with food still on them, used cups and silverware. Very creepy! Unfortunately the diner neon sign is gone. What a cool little place though!

[@SchardtCinematic]

My kids and I ate at that diner when it was still a Denny's in 2014.

[@sgrande75]

The retro diner by the ExxonMobil was at one time a Dennys Restaurant. They built that Dennys Diner concept for a few years in the early 2000s

[@stringalongmike1953]

The Penn Aire Motel has been razed, nothing remaining.

[@RayOutThere]

Good thing I got there when I did! I would have loved to explored it more closely, but I knew there were eyes on me.

[@Highlander-s5p]

I did a large portion of the Lincoln Highway a few years ago, it needs to be promoted the same way as route 66 , it is possible to save this historic road with the right intent

[@tonywilliams3728]

My grandparents were born in Breezewood in the 1870s

[@HistoricLife]

I eat at the Steak and Buffet place way back in like 08 or so. It did not have steak and it was overall terrible. Buffets also bring their own human horror stories in rural America

[@charlestonpinballarcade]

Thanks for posting this one Ray. I must have missed when you uploaded it months ago. We used to stop here when traveling from Pittsburgh to the shore and southeast. I wish I would have been into filming back then and captured all this stuff as it was dying and rebuilding. Fall is a awesome time in central and western PA.

[@HistoricLife]

I have not traveled through there since the pandemic until this last summer (2023) and the gateway plaza had changed and Dairy Queen was gone which surprised me. It had been there as long as I could remember and I used to pass through all the time as I am from DC and when to school in Pittsburgh in the 90s.

[@Bryan_USA]

We used Breezewood as a Turnpike quick stop on Cleveland-DC trips, including a school Charter trip around 1970 .Nobody thought of it as a destination stop. Just gas and food ,in a can't miss spot. Corporations may own 3 businesses there and close two .Their Chamber of Commerce should ramp it up on code enforcement, so motorists don't put pedal-to-metal instead of stopping......

[@darrylnewton9010]

i worked at the ta truckstop 30 years ago when i was a young man, all that stuff is familiar. last time i was there all that stuf was open and in business, how things change.

[@dwightpenn9475]

Sheetz store, I had worked on the installation It was to be a model store. The only one known built of that style fot Sheetz. Around 1996- ish

[@jerryg2073]

Biggest small-town rip-off in PA. Why should you have to exit Rte. 70 and drive through this godawful traffic jamb to get on the PA turnpike? $$$$

[@JackDaniels-tx4qx]

It originally was built because the state wanted federal funds, which they couldn't get if I-70 directly interchanged with the Turnpike since that wouldn't allow westbound drivers the opportunity to take a toll-free alternate (because a slip ramp to and from the toll booth isn't a thing I guess). It was either that or the PTC would have to fund the interchange with their own money, which they weren't gonna do because they expected to get less money as soon as I-80 was completed, so it was originally the state and turnpike commission responding to how strict funding requirements from the feds were, but later on it was those local businesses and hotels that put the pressure on because they didn't want to go out of business. I'll bet many of them did anyway. Thankfully I don't have to ride through this disgrace of a rest stop because most of the time when I use the Turnpike other than the NE extension that I live right off of, it's headed from Eastern PA to Pittsburgh or vice versa.

[@BobConnor-n2g]

@@JackDaniels-tx4qx There is also the issue of the type of motels in Breezewood, most of them were sleaze motels. If you want a family motel you're going to have to drive another 100 miles each way either west to Monroeville or east to Carlisle. Maybe it is because both those areas are "viable"

[@g.t.richardson6311]

@@BobConnor-n2g while I don’t use them because my usual drive is from Carlisle to Pittsburgh, there are a couple decent hotels off Bedford exit, and many at Somerset exit Agree breezewood are sleaze ones now. It wasn’t that way in the 60s thru 80s, even well into 90s

[@matthewshaud1741]

The only interstate highway with a red light and it happens to be in PA.

[@BobConnor-n2g]

@@matthewshaud1741 Because Breezewood is now dying (the place never got over Covid) now is the time to arrange a direct connection between I76 and I70

[@chrislemaster2695]

This motel closed in 2001 Restaurant was torn down in 2007.

[@wait_kuz]

Breezewood used to be my favorite place to pass through when going from Detroit to Martinsburg WV to visit my grandparents a few times a year. Always loved seeing how colorfull it used to be especially at night with all the lights. A shame what it looks like now but I still make sure to stop their everytime I visit still holding on to some of my fav childhood memories. Nice to see it was like that for a lot of others too.

[@briancooper1281]

The abandoned Diner was a Dennys. I ate there 8-9 years ago and got sick as hell.

[@lonniemcguire1343]

Fuck.

[@timardner5277]

Just bypass the abandoned town and build a direct connection between the two interstates.

[@rodeleon2875]

i have a place near there and remember bwood in its heyday. if you would have went down south breezewood rd along rt 70 you would have seen all the little retro motelettes rotting away. i remember when you had to reserve a room a year in advance on thanksgiving weekend because of the influx of hunters. those animal heads came from crawfords wildlife museum which was in or near the same building. bwood was open 24x7 and you could always get a good meal.

[@Whatchamawhozit]

Breezewood is not as dead as you think in SKi Season the traffic tripled because of 7 Springs

[@bobhibbs6187]

We stayed at that Ramada back in the 80's. It did have an indoor pool and it was a beautiful Hotel.

[@CentralPaRailfan]

@3:30 just saw today they tore down this hotel :-(

[@apocyldoomer]

I am fascinated by abandoned pools, unsure why, I always think of who were the last people in that pool, I know, I’m strange. They remind me of the song “Still life” by Iron Maiden, about demons in a pool beckoning people to join them, at the bottom of the pool, kind of like the Sirens trying to tempt sailors to get closer, than they turned into demons and took their soul. Interesting story.

[@carriebrill5660]

I lived there for 22 years. Mountain life . Not much work . I miss the Mountain wish I could go back up do it the lords way this time

[@Kajiggger]

That diner reminds me of the one in Blairstown, NJ. I think the one in Budd Lake also kinda had that 50s look.

[@RayOutThere]

There's lots of them in NJ

[@Kajiggger]

@@RayOutThere oh how I miss a good diner sir. You have no idea.

[@Titanic19127]

9:28 This was a Ramada with a restaurant in it. Stayed there back in the day, early-mid 2000s I remember it pretty well. Up on a hill and carpeted floors, the restaurant served breakfast. It was nice back in the day.

[@Robs_Model_T_Fun]

I always get off the interstate before breezewood when coming up from Hancock . Miss the big traffic jams that way

[@howardcitizen2471]

The volume of cars with non-PA plates at that exit tells you a lot of other people do the same thing.

[@Robs_Model_T_Fun]

@@howardcitizen2471a lot of them will stay on the interstate and set at the intersection . I went though the intersection a couple times and it was jammed packed each time . Sometime will hang a right instead of my usual left and check out the abandoned highway

[@andrewkay7547]

Alot of the abandment has happened within the last 10 years

[@richardcline1337]

That should be the fate of a tourist trap called Panama City, Beach, in northwest Florida. Nothing in the rest of the county to do because all of the resources get sent out there.

[@jeffreybelko3383]

Got a hoodie in that gift shop! Stop in breeze wood all the time going up to Pittsburgh! Never paid attention to the abandoned buildings

[@rl8429]

4:50 it’s a little strange to see the sign still intact when the whole building is demolished. There’s something similar in Ridgefield Park, NJ. Off the highway, there’s a sign of a former restaurant called Gasho of Japan Hibachi Steakhouse.

[@bradpeterson7957]

I stayed there once back in 2005. I believe it was the days inn. The town was still lively back then. I remember the food being pretty good as well. It's sad to see in such sad shape.

[@turtleant120]

Live about 20 minutes south of here, have my whole life. Drove up last Saturday to get dinner from the Bob Evans in fact. That retro diner was a pretty good Denny's way back when. I should try that kabob place one of these days. It's a shame so much has gone out of business but what's there is still pretty convenient for the folks that live out in the hills around the place. Gateway used to have a pretty alright restaurant on the first floor, and a bigger arcade up on the second.

[@gaymersipe9984]

That motel burned earlier this year, which is why it's collapsed in like that.

[@willblack5419]

Use to stop here driving the TPK to Ohio in the 1980s. Good local. Gas, food, get back on the road.

[@VirginiaWolf88]

I’ve driven to this town but never stopped. Might have to stop here one day. Cool video.

[@papslady]

The Diner was a Denny's diner

[@danielwestfall9578]

I just stumbled upon this video. The diner is just mind blowing. It looks a lot like the Denny's in Medina, Ohio. Great tour.

[@RayOutThere]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@markc2643]

It was a Denny's at one time.

[@melbrown6019]

Is Breezewood dying? There are a lot of abandoned buildings. The retro diner may have been a Denny’s. There was one by me in North Charleston but it closed and was demolished. Interesting place to explore with so many closed businesses. Both a Days Inn and Econo Lodge had fires in the past.

[@RayOutThere]

Yes it was a Dennys! And it seems like there were lots of fires here, I wonder if it was fraud.

[@melbrown6019]

People were commenting that there are many reports of arson. That’s definitely possible.

[@paanne1013]

@@RayOutThere - Probably the only way out of the financial disaster, still fraud though.

[@ChopSkullNYC]

I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed this. Leave it to PA to have the strangest places going. I can't get over those rhino heads on the wall in that place. That's absolutely frightening! This video was inspiring. I may have to write a story that takes place in Breezewood, PA. If I do I'll let you know. 🤣The motels that are just sitting there rotting are truly insane to say the least. Even the terrain surrounding the rest stops is eerie. Once you go past the Bucks County / Philly area things really get wacky.

[@RayOutThere]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! This place was really something else. There are memes floating around that use a pic of this place as a symbol for capitalist decay. And yes west PA is really cool. This was my first time heading out that way and I stopped at some really cool places that I'll be releasing in the future.

[@ChopSkullNYC]

​@@RayOutThere Look forward to seeing more from this area. That sounds great. You've been finding some really interesting spots one after another!

[@Rogue849]

@@RayOutThere Please don't bring politics into this

[@MelancoliaI]

​@@RayOutThereI'd seen countless memes utilizing the...um...interesting scenery of the Breezewood Exit and then one day it hit me..."oh wait I've been here" lol. I ate at that Hardee's a handful of times.

[@patricialutz2092]

Ray,it's always a pleasure to explore these places with you, thank you for sharing!

[@RayOutThere]

Thank you for joining me!

[@RToddRothrauff]

I'm originally from Altoona and used to travel through Breezewood a lot in the 1980s. I believe the diner was actually a Denny's at one time. The spot where Sheetz is used to be the Family House Restaurant. Good memories.

[@bubbabubba2013]

I did model train shows in Altoona as a vendor, traveled from Martinsburg, WV and passed through Breezewood twice, once going to Altoona and then returning home. Traffic was a nightmare, no way to get around it. Other than that the ride to Altoona was great.

[@AlexBeckleysRVs]

Sultan Kabob. I eat there in August of 2023 on a trip to Auburn Indiana Hospitality was great and the food was excellent

[@princeofcupspoc9073]

Dude, think about doing an exhibition. 3:42 is a GORGEOUS composition. Mix one part Americana, one part Bauhaus, and two parts Wabi and Sabi, and boom. Art.

[@RayOutThere]

Thank you so much! I try to compose good shots

[@rambojambone4586]

America saying adios. I haven’t stopped in Breeze Wood since probably 1986. There’s no actual families in America anymore, so no traveling for vacations or grandmas. Trucks took a different route. Oh, well.

[@Jodyrides]

there is a good reason to demolish a vacant building. They can’t charge you property, taxes, and school taxes on the building. That is not there.

[@williameggert3190]

As a young child my Mom and I would take the Gray Hound bus from Buffalo to Indiana PA (Our Hometown) . Dubus was a rest stop for the bus. Was a great place to stop. What a shame it has fallen inyo disaray. Thanks for the memories

[@Titanic19127]

Love this area. Been going here and driving through since about 2007 or so

[@jamesbean7560]

Breezewood, Pennsylvania is the site of an abandoned section of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, which was bypassed in the late 1960s. The 13-mile stretch of the turnpike was abandoned after a study determined that it was more economical to bypass three tunnels and a travel plaza, and instead expand four other tunnels. The bypassed section is now known as the Abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike, and the tunnels remain unlit and unimproved.