Urban Exploration - ABANDONED - Pennsylvania Mansion

Urban Exploration : Abandoned House CLICK SHOW MORE TO READ HISTORY AND DISCLAIMER
www.AbandonedSt... / steveabandonedexploration / abandonedsteve
Built in 1947 by Dr. Dimedio, this mansion, called the "Bella Vista" sitting on 12 acres lies abandoned and on the list to be torn down. According to Delco public records, the house totals 15,000 sq feet with 7 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms. Dr. Dimedio was a famous surgeon who founded the old Mercy Hospital. He was the general contractor for this mansion. However the house was not built very well. Rumors all were talked about from this place. Rev Fred Drummond lived in this house 30 years ago. He supposedly ran a cult at the church near the property and in the house according to documents. His leaders have also been recently involved in a child molestation case at the church that been going on for years and still is going on. A google search of his name will bring up tons of newspaper articles about what he use to do in that cult. Today the house sits abandoned since 2005. A developer currently owns it and plans to demolished it in the near future. The house would cost millions to fix. They have no choice but to tear it down. Information gathered from Public Records and Philly.com
Disclaimer: Exploring Abandoned Structures can be dangerous and you could be trespassing. You could get a fine, get hurt, get sick, and/or get arrested. Therefore I CAN NOT be held responsible for your actions if you do choose to enter an abandoned site. I am not providing this video to show people where and how to get to these places. This video is meant to give my viewers the feel of an abandoned structure safely in their home plus provide some history. Just don't do it. If you choose to ignore this disclaimer, you are taking full responsibility for your actions!

[@discoveringpennsylvania2899]

Well done video. It is sad that this, once beautiful, mansion is now gone forever. I am glad you documented it.

[@RichardBaran]

God I watch one of these videos, then I get stuck watching all of them for hours and hours. Amazing stuff

[@angelreaderlaura]

Thank you for taking us through. So sad to see grand places like this demolished.

[@arsinowey66]

Thanks for the time you take researching and getting the background information on the places you explore !! It really gives that "I've been there" feeling to those of us that would never see these wonderful places otherwise !! I avidly watch all you post and eagerly anticipate all your new explorations !!

[@AbandonedSteve]

Tiffany Crouse Thanks so much. Glad you enjoy it. I try my best to get all the information I can

[@GPGremlin1974]

Its sad to see something that nice be trashed so bad.

[@gabbyg561]

I guess the moral of the story is, If you are a Doctor, don't imagine yourself a building contractor. Get an actual building contractor to do the job. Imagine if a building contractor had planned and overseen the building of this magnificent home, it might very well have been salvageable today, and saved from demolition.

[@tamararohlin9292]

The dome ceiling in the "grand foyer" was something else! such a sad thing that these houses rich in history left to decay. Kinda hurts my heart that it was demolished. I can tell that you put alot of thought and emotion into your videos....the music that you chose for your picture montage at the end....both majestic and eerie at the same time.

[@txshaemac]

The chandelier in Gone with the Wind - used to hang in that ceiling. I know, because I used to visit that house often when I was a teen.

[@lily121127]

This how is beautiful! It would be so worth the money to fix it. What a shame its being torn down and its been very vandalized

[@therandomperson19992]

The arches in front of the house, they are iconic.

[@bboop1964]

This house is amazing and I can just imagine the grandeur back in the day! Thank you for sharing! I only hope someone was able to reclaim something from this home before it was torn down.

[@AndrewSmart32]

Nothing left to reclaim by the looks of it

[@TikiTrex]

Great coverage of such a gorgeous find. I can imagine how beautiful it was before it was trashed. I especially loved the rounded entrance and ceiling there. And also, that built-in filing cabinet in the basement was different. Thanks for sharing, Steve!

[@courtneygomez1106]

ugh i hate when people go into these beautiful places and tare it all up -_- it still has so much potential tho! i love it! if i only had the money to fix it up

[@Shewulfy]

Can you imagine entering that house and being greeted with that awe inspiring staircase? Such a gem.

[@Bloodydemise]

Im glad im not the only one intrigued by abandoned places

[@juliebarclay5641]

Thanks for another fab explore. I love all the info you give us- thank you!

[@BrotherWells]

Abandoned Steve I absolutely love videos like this. People these days tend to forget about the history of their own communities and places like this that once thrived within that community, now have fallen into rough times and its sad. Such beautiful architecture and really a marvel to look at, despite it being abandoned and run down a bit. If those walls could talk, just imagine what they have seen and heard. Some of these you look at and are like, damn, if only someone purchased this property and had the money to restore it, it would once return to its former glory but sadly these days, money is very tight and not many have the funds to do so and even if they did and were to sell it, not many could afford it. Not everyone who is into urban exploration destroys things and to those who do, I hope that one day due to the videos those people up to KZbin that they would be caught and punished to the fullest extent of the law. Thank you for being one of those who doesnt destroy, but instead, leaves footprints in such an amazing place.

[@AbandonedSteve]

Eric Wells Thanks Eric. Glad you enjoy my videos. I try hard to give these places a history approach. Some other explorers just walk the building to show you the building. I want to show you the building with history so you mind will go racing thinking about what use to walk those halls

[@LateBoomer1964]

I like the still pics at the end, it allows us to see things in a better light. Thanks again.

[@AbandonedSteve]

yea exactly what I am trying to show.

[@Earthlinked]

As far as the building standards are concerned - I take them to court - you CANNOT force a house built in the 1930's to have the building codes in the 2010's!!!!!!!!!! People would be upgrading EVERY FRIGGIN YEAR - and that is NOT how it works!!!! A house only has to be up to the standards for the year it was built - PERIOD - houses DO NOT have to change standards every time the builders decided to add or change housing standards!!!!!!!! If that were the case - the builders would change the standards RADICALLY - every year - just so they would stay in business!!!!!!!!!!! Standards change very slow anyhow are rarely - but you cannot backdate your standards - people would hunt them down and burn them at the stake!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@AbandonedSteve]

i agree with you. I think this might be an excuse by the developer who currently owns this land and house so they can tear it down for more homes.

[@mynhra]

Abandoned Steve You maybe on to something there ! (excuses)

[@Earthlinked]

debbie hodges SURE - there are excuses - if NOT the building industry would simply dissolve because NOBODY could afford to rebuild their house - to keep up with the newest standards year after year!!! Of course there ARE exceptions - and in Georgia - you have 5 years to "upgrade" if a previous standard has found to be life threatening - such as if your insulation is poisonous - then you have 5 years to replace it - but things like this are EXTREMELY rare!!!!!!! Standards are made to force builders to build very safe and efficent houses - that last forever - so it is very rare that a standard is overturned - but it does happen - as with fiberglass insulation - which was found to cause cancer!!!!!

[@curtr4136]

Well, yes and no. If you, or a contractor, apply for permits to make changes or upgrades to the property code enforcement could, and will, require you to bring certain things up to the current code, including, but not limited to, electrical, plumbing, and emergency escape standards. This would also include getting asbestos and lead paint testing and removal done. Been there, done that.

[@kayeplaguedoc9054]

Earthlinked Yeah, you don't have to force a building to be up to code but the fact is if you want to repair it at any point it has to be up to code. The house I live in right now was built by my great grandfather in 1928, and every time something has broken we've heard the words "So this part of your home isn't up to code, we've got to replace it" before they can do basic fixes and the fact of the matter is if this fixes don't get done, it can make things worse. In our case our entire water system had not been changed since it was first put in and imagine what would have happened if we just went "Ehh, we don't HAVE to be up to code" when water was seeping through the walls and along with causing puddles of water and mild flooding in the basement it caused dangerous mold to start growing? So yeah, we had to fork out a LOOT of money - but you DO have to be up to code if you want to at least live like a modern dignified human and care about your homes condition. However, I do understand where you come from. This was certainly a once beautiful home and I can also say we've gone out of our way to ensure any work done on our house retains the aesthetics, even if we have to re-do portions because it is a beautiful home and a lot of guests often comment positively that it felt like stepping into the past when it was brand new. And I would have loved to see this place get fixed up and allowed to stand, I remember when I saw the exterior I said "I'd live here if it were fixed up!" and sometimes its even baffling why such beautiful homes get abandoned.

[@carolehayden8566]

incredible work. you just get better and better. love the captions. Disrespect for that great place..appalling. Thanks for enriching and beautiful content.

[@AbandonedSteve]

Thanks Tiki, The filing cabinet built in was something I never seen before. I wish the place wasnt destroyed or i was there a few years early to really get a better look at what i use to look like

[@emilytreat2764]

So amazing, but it just increases my curiosity about the history of this house. Thanks for being brave enough to explore this wonder.

[@AbandonedSteve]

thanks emily. there is a lot on the net about the previous owners

[@michaelhogan4103]

Great video, Steve. Thanks for posting.

[@AbandonedSteve]

Thanks Michael

[@cufan27]

Beautiful home..so worth fixing..so sad being torn down : (

[@AbandonedSteve]

Wow!!!! Thanks so much for sharing that story. I heard very similar things from my mom and grandmother who use to live in that area when the Dr lived there. It always good to know I have some locals following me! I need to get ahold of some pictures of the inside. Like some old Realtor ones or something

[@emilytreat2764]

I have driven by this home for over a year and have always been curious about it. I finally drove down the driveway today to get a better look. What an amazing home! I was too chicken to go inside, but still curious, so I looked it up when I got home and was excited to find your video tour. Thank you for the tour and for the history.

[@AbandonedSteve]

Glad you found the video. Awesome place isnt it?

[@AbandonedSteve]

great article. Thanks for sharing that with me. My grandmother even told me about him as she was young and seen him before as they lived very close to that house

[@beckyp3179]

It's very sad to see these once beautiful homes sit in ruins!!!!!!!

[@AbandonedSteve]

Thank You Mike. Glad you enjoyed!

[@Superdavereno1]

Really well done Steve. I love you B/W shots. They really bring the age and mystery of this grand old place. Too bad the reality is so dark.

[@ndog2005]

What A House !! Elegant .. Beautiful on the outside, just sad about the destruction & ruin, inside.. Was surprised the fireplaces were so plain.. Saw the note about problems had develop, Sad.. that it has to be demolished.. Loved the pics at the end.. Great video, Steve ..

[@nycdweller]

I thoroughly enjoyed this video. They shouldn't tear this place down, it should be restored!!

[@jillybeans58]

What an 'artiste' the tagger is not...and such a grammar master too. People that ruin stuff like this should be ejected from the planet. They are a waste of good oxygen.

[@Colormepearl]

Thumbs up to the explorer. I have watched many of these type videos, and you did an excellent job. Made me feel like I was there. When I was a kid, we use to go explore big, old, abandoned homes. Great memories. Anyway, thanks.

[@AbandonedSteve]

thank you so much. really appreciate the comment!

[@MrCaitMonster]

There are so many beautiful materials here that could be used for something. It's a damn shame they are all going to waste...

[@davidskinner3400]

something very spooky about these old houses,thanks for posting Steve

[@AbandonedSteve]

Thank You Tayler. Many more to come!

[@fltboy182]

I can`t travel any more. So it`s cool to see new places. Thanks Steve

[@AbandonedSteve]

Glad you can join me Mike

[@jump4joy1975]

I can imagine how beautiful this place was.. Great video thanks for sharing your explores with us..

[@AbandonedSteve]

I made another video with some old photos of this place submitted to me. It on my channel. Check it out

[@bbcasting]

Great video. Thanks for checking it out and posting!

[@aazhie]

Gorgeous house, thanks for recording it, always sad to see these kinds of things go, even when they are so wreked

[@AbandonedSteve]

+aazhie Your welcome. Thanks for watching

[@dutchessnkiki70]

Thanks for the video Abandoned Steve! Even with the disrepair this place is in it's still amazing to me! Such a shame to see the vandalism that goes on in these places and people can't respect them. From looking at the other video with the pics that the mom and grandson gave you this house looks like it probably holds a lot of happy (hopefully) memories when they lived there and the house seemed so alive! Going to look up more info on this house! Thanks again!!! = )

[@AbandonedSteve]

that is awesome. I always like to hear stories from people who were in the places before they went abandoned.

[@teresawilliams7481]

I enjoy your videos Steve! It's a shame these beautiful homes can't be saved!

[@ElizabethMac]

part 4. It sparkled the whole place was just amazing. Never seen anything like it since. My husband is a tile installer and he said that type of tile is extremely expensive. The woman came back and they had a big pack of wrigley green gum. They gave us all little packs of gum each I think the guy may have asked us a few questions but I cant remember anything that was said after I saw the inside of the house lol...our parents had no idea we went there. Thanks so much for this video!

[@weirdsearchhistory5876]

Vandals will destroy anything unfortunately. If it weren't for high security at some old cultural/ historical sites they would tag those places as well.

[@hunbun_xx]

It's a shame someone couldn't keep up with it. It looked so beautiful!!!!

[@jorgealves8319]

A very good video and photos. I like the fact that you respect the memories acting like you were a visitor and not an invader. Good job!

[@AbandonedSteve]

Jorge Alves Thank You., That is my goal when exploring these places

[@grantandkat]

How beautiful even in this state............& the history...........

[@conchhouse13]

What a fine of example of craftsmanship. Doesn't deserve the fate that it has been dealt. Thank you for sharing.

[@brettbarnard2563]

I LOVE abandoned places.. I agree. Something kinda magical and unknown about them.. So sad that people have to go and vandalize these places...

[@AbandonedSteve]

Yep. When i started photography, i was getting bored if my area until I found an abandoned house to shoot. Now look at me haha

[@sarahillebrandt447]

WOW........ What an entrance. Absolutely beautiful staircase. I wouldn't want to leave.....

[@pa17948]

i live in pennsylvania and if i had the money i would buy it and restore it. it still has alot of beauty and potential!

[@forterierocks]

What a fantastic place! Steve you make awesome videos, also like that you do research on the places you explore. keep up the great work

[@daredevil7442AUTOMOTIVE]

Very nice find. That place must of been something to behold back in the day. I googled it and couldn't find much info about that place, I was looking for old pics from when it was in good condition, the grounds/gardens were probably very ornate. good vid

[@blondiesunshine6873]

I have been waiting for this video. I know the house and have visited a few times, sadly never inside. I remember the gardens and all the Italian statuary. Thank you Steve for sharing:)

[@Kat4u2]

.. such a shame , so pretty on the outside , cant imagine why previous owners would not have kept up such a place ,kept maintained and looking nice before such deterioration and breakdown even had a chance to start. Like you mention the cost now would be horrific to fix back up , it really looks like was really beautiful at one time w/ all the lush gardens , big pillars, and all, bet was real Serenity. Also from way looks inside w/ the awesome staircase, fireplaces ,elaborate dome ceilings ,wood work ,and marble floors, i bet it was real beauty when built .Thanks for sharing your awesome videos , love them !

[@AbandonedSteve]

from what I was told, the previous owners foreclosed on the house.

[@AbandonedSteve]

Thank You. Still searching for some older pictures

[@ellenjenkins3560]

How sad is that? What a lovely home it used to be.

[@judithmartin3091]

The cupola area must have been gorgeous with the lotus-topped Grecian columns in place and intact....amazing that the ceiling colors are still so vivid. It's a crying shame that it was built so poorly, it could still be a well-kept beauty.

[@AbandonedSteve]

Judith Martin i agree. I wish nobody left this place to rot like that

[@aaronjmattis]

I might pop over here tomorrow to see if it's still standing. I'll email you if I go. I might check out an old bowling alley instead. I'm in DELCO, so this is not far from me. Thanks for uploading.

[@heavenbounddaughter1125]

Thanks for the video. Very interesting explorations there. I remember when my Dad and I used to explore abandoned buildings so it brings back memories. He's gone now and I'm unable to explore as I once did so your videos bring the exploration to me via your videos. So many, many thanks. God bless.

[@AbandonedSteve]

Sorry about your dad and I am glad I can bring back the memories! Thanks for watching Dahlia

[@boo22sdf]

Wonderful, Hope there is someway to save this house! I love old houses! They were built so sturdy and looked so beautiful!!

[@AbandonedSteve]

Danny Weston Sadly the house was demolished a few months ago. I have the video on my channel. Take a look

[@boo22sdf]

Dang, what a shame! Thanks!

[@76southernpride]

a very awesome, beautiful mansion. It is a shame that it has to be torn down, although I understand the reasons. the photos and music at the end went together very well. thanks for the tour, while it's still there.

[@michaelwhite2823]

Another great video. I just can't get over how many wonderful things are abandoned in Pennsylvania. I know there was a huge boom decades ago but the state is just beautiful. It is so green and lush. I live out in dried out California and with some exceptions, nothing stays abandoned. Developers gobble it up and build something ugly.

[@sarahillebrandt447]

I just did an image search on this house. Could only find 1 picture that was uploaded in 2005. I don't know when the picture was taken but it was winter and the picture was in black and white. Looked like an old picture. Beautiful.

[@Brooklynlife1000]

Great find Steve!

[@AbandonedSteve]

awesome. Thanks for sharing. Wish it was still there

[@Munkylaw]

Whoever did the tagging could have had a boss ass hangout if they knew better. Such a shame to see a wonderful house like this in shambles.

[@AbandonedSteve]

i agree completely

[@S3PT1M1]

yup, so many locations actually unavailable now cuz that crap drew too much attention

[@AlexWolfLikesPie]

I hate it. Also the tagging is usually mega shitty, and the younger taggers like writing "DICKS" on everything in bad handwriting. It only ruins things.

[@AbandonedSteve]

i agree 100% that all you see now and it tells who what age group is actually in these buildings

[@SweetFLGuy1]

That's a shame that those immature scum bags trashed and destroyed that beautiful historical house. No wonder the ghosts, spirits are upset and angry in places like that especially the ones who built it with their own blood, sweat and tears and the ones who lived there who cared about it. If this house wasn't trashed and destroyed like that it could of been saved and restored. To the immature scumbags who did this, imagine other immature scumbags destroying and trashing your house, car, bike or anything you own while your away how would you like it. I bet you would be really upset.

[@bxx32]

Amazing exploration Steve. What more can I say?

[@WhatsForTea]

Makes me feel really sad :o( This was someones home once...Think of all the good times that must have went on here...if walls could speak.

[@AbandonedSteve]

Scottish Heather Exactly what i think in my head when i walk these places

[@kittyofpink]

I got the chills when I saw the sign, "Your time is up." I wanted to scream.

[@CihaPet]

I really hope that they were able to salvage some of the materials from that house. Some of the flooring looked interesting.

[@lexdee523]

An oddly built mansion although I'm sure it was a lovely view when it was completed. I love the way you give a some information on the property at the bottom of the screen which is very informative to interesting seekers such as myself. I enjoy all the videos, thanks for posting.

[@AbandonedSteve]

Thank You. I try my best to give all the info I know.

[@RobertBrumley60]

Why is it that no matter what state it's in, if there is an abandoned building, some people have to vandalize the hell out of it. Like it's getting back at somebody yet they don't even know who was in it before.

[@AbandonedSteve]

Thanks Kelly, the staircase is what aww me when I first walked in. Need like that in my house

[@IKS-Exploration]

nice vid, thanks for sharing

[@jasecarter1]

Fascinating to see the beautiful old house but sad at the same time.Your footage echos with what it once was, there are so many stories that place could tell I'm sure.

[@AbandonedSteve]

Thank You!

[@tealapowell5241]

That was an awesome video! I've never seen an entrance & staircase & ceiling like this had! You're right, this place must have been amazing at one time! And the grounds are beautiful. It's a shame it's in such disrepair. Going to google the Rev to read the rumors surrounding the house. Enjoyed your video very much & thanks for sharing!! Be safe!!:)

[@diane189444]

Wow really enjoyed this thank you

[@AbandonedSteve]

Thank You Carole. I like this new way I do them also. Thanks for the kind remarks :)

[@BCZF]

Nice work, Im a new subscriber, very well produced.

[@AbandonedSteve]

John Rivett Thank so much John. Welcome to the channel

[@candycane2482]

jazzridez HATER

[@The1BlackKrow]

that "all wood" closet is cedar. cost a pretty penny. dome ceiling was amazing, great vid.

[@debbieshaver3499]

Especially sad since this house really wasn't that old. Love the tile bathrooms.

[@jolovesminnis]

I would love to been able salvage some stuff. I think that closet was All cedar.i can't imagine the cost it must have taken to heat that place. I love houses with all that wood! Very nice Steve! Thanks for taking me along!

[@samorayee420]

thank you very much , beautiful video with beautiful mansion really feel sad . someone can living and can care about this mansion . see it's destroying . everywhere just see dust and claps

[@AbandonedSteve]

I know right, i was in awww when i entered this place. Never been in an abandoned mansion that looked like this!

[@AbandonedSteve]

Thank You so much!

[@sandysailer]

I hope they were able to salvage something from it... I hate to see old buildings defiled.

[@dragonflyladybeth8169]

Beautiful! I would love to live there! Just a bit of fixing up and it be worth tuns! love it!

[@elkidee1]

Thanks. The video was great and thanks for pointing out the old photo. I kind of wish someone would pop up with a bunch of photos of the inside when it was in its heyday.

[@dodgeramguy85]

Being in pa and seeing those 3 furnaces I can only imagine what it cost to heat it during the cold months!!

[@elkidee1]

Are there any pictures of this house in its heyday? This was an excellent video. Nice work and thanks!

[@dsorvita]

I like your videos, they are entertaining and fun to watch. I also like that you make some investigation about the house. I would like that you talk a little bit more in your videos, sharing the thoughts that you are having at that moment.

[@AbandonedSteve]

+dsorvita Thank You. I get mixed reviews on the talking. I have some that like the talking and some that rather just listen to the place. I wish KZbin could give me the option to do both

[@AbandonedSteve]

Thanks Ben. It was an amazing house to see

[@Bobster986]

Wow, what a beautiful place, I can't believe a historical society doesn't restore it.

[@AbandonedSteve]

Bobster986 yes sadly it has been demolished now. I have a video up on the channel of it

[@Bobster986]

Abandoned Steve:-(

[@AbandonedSteve]

True! Thanks for watching

[@hell0hkitty]

that must have been a cedar-lined closet, and that wooden panel room was obviously the library. what glory days!

[@kimberlydawson7901]

Beautiful house

[@Firstfruits288]

If I were rich I would buy that house and fix it up. Because, that house has so much potential. That mansion fixed up would be one of the beautiful houses around like house was in the good old days.