Discover 10 renowned Upstate NY deserted locations

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Upstate New York is filled with abandoned buildings and locations. Each one uses shadows, objects left behind, memories, and, yes, even ghosts to depict a different era. These ten buildings each have an amazing backstory regarding how, when, and why they were initially built. A munitions castle, a quarry, a dilapidated amusement park, the most opulent hotel of the “golden era,” in the Catskills, and several other items make up this eclectic list. (Keep in mind that these locations are deserted for a reason. You are advised that the majority of these locations are fenced-in and boarded up. Incredible tales, but enter at your own risk.)

102 Church St., Canajoharie (Montgomery County), Beech-Nut Factory

Long a recognizable landmark along the New York State Thruway, the sprawling white factory bore the name of the company in large red letters. The factory, which produced Beech-Nut baby foods, chewing gum, canned goods, and more during its nearly 129-year existence, employed thousands of locals. The business moved to a new, contemporary facility in Florida, New York, about 20 miles away, after closing its Canajoharie location in 2010. Although plans to demolish and revitalize this prime piece of land at Exit 29 of the Thruway are in the works, the old factory is still lying vacant in the village’s central business district. The historic 550,000-square-foot manufacturing plant appears to be disappearing in small bites despite intermittent efforts. Don’t forget to explore the Beech-Nut Museum and the Arkell Art Museum (Bartlett Arkell served as the company’s president).

Buffalo (Erie County)’sWonderBread Manufacturing Plant is located at 313 Fougeron Street

Nothing is more recognizable to Baby Boomers than Wonder Bread. It might have its roots in the protracted advertising tied to the 1950s children’s program Howdy Doody. One of the first slices of bread in America was Wonder Bread, also known as “miracle bread,” and it was a huge hit with customers. The 1923-built factory also made Hostess Twinkies. Photos of the long-abandoned factory show that many parts of it still have the appearance of workers who simply stopped what they were doing and left. To deter robbers and vandals, the majority of the 180,000-square-foot, five-story building is fenced in. On “baking day,” it was rumored that the entire East Buffalo neighborhood was filled with the aroma of freshly baked bread.

In Camillus (Onondaga County), at 3971 Onondaga Road, is Split Rock Quarry

This old quarry, close to Syracuse, has a fascinating past. A quarter of the TNT produced in the United States in the early 20th century was produced at the quarry. Additionally, it had a large workforce. On the evening of July 2, 1918, everything came to an end when a fire and subsequent explosion severely damaged much of the operation. More than 50 men were also killed. An enormous stone crusher and the original tunnel that led into the quarry mine can still be seen on the grounds of the old quarry.

Main Street, Adler Hotel, Sharon Springs (County of Schoharie)

Thousands of tourists used to flock to the village of Sharon Springs for vacations at the turn of the 20th century. While Jews made up the majority of the summer residents, people from all over the world could also be found taking advantage of the village’s mineral springs, dancing, and concerts, as well as the clean mountain air and nationally renowned performers. More than a dozen large hotels once stood in this area, but now almost none remain. The Adler was one of the most commanding buildings (1929–2004). The five-story Adler, which was perched on a rise at the northern edge of the village’s business district, had 150 guest rooms, a ballroom, a sizable dining room, and immaculately kept lawns. Later in the century, as summer visitors began to flock to upscale Saratoga Springs (with its casino and racetrack), the Adler and other hotels began to empty and deteriorate. A South Korean conglomerate currently owns it, and renovations are in the works. It is still abandoned and in disrepair. When you come, be sure to visit the village’s two historic hotel structures, the 1842 American Hotel (1842) and the Roseboro Hotel (1850s), both of which once served as lodging.

Pollepel Island in the Hudson River, Fishkill (Dutchess County), home to Bannerman’s Castle

The most visited of all the deserted locations on this list, Bannerman’s Castle is about an hour north of New York City and sits 1,000 feet out in the Hudson River. On the New York to Albany route, hundreds see it every day as Amtrak zips “just out of reach”. On Pollepel Island, there is a castle that is home to an intriguing history. It was constructed in 1901 by Francis Bannerman VI to house millions of rounds of military munitions, of which he was a significant supplier. He instructed his workers to build the castle-like structure with his name written in capital letters facing the water. After being abandoned in 1950, the island was purchased by New York State in 1967. Tours were initially provided, but after a fire and explosion, the island was declared off-limits to visitors. Guided tours have just recently started up again. On the island, public events are occasionally held as well.

Rome (Oneida County), Erie Canal Village, 5789 Rome-New London Road

Generations of baby boomers will recall this amusement park as a fun location to learn about early life in Central New York and the Erie Canal right where the first spade of dirt was turned to start its construction on July 4, 1817. The village is reportedly in the control of something known as the Empire State Heritage Park after having been long closed, then opened, then closed once more, and abandoned. Children used to run in and out of tiny structures like the church, the homes of the butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker. Once upon a time, there were both kid-friendly rides and a chance to board a miniature version of an Erie Canal packet boat. We hope they have a bright future. This is a bittersweet, priceless memory from the past.

On Overlook Mountain in Woodstock (Ulster County), there is a house called Overlook Mountain House

The ruins of one of the Catskills’ most renowned early resorts tower over the community of Woodstock at a height of about 3,000 feet. When the Overlook Mountain House was completed in 1871, it was the highest hotel in the entire Catskills. For its time, it was expansive, grand, and opulent. When it was at its peak, it could accommodate more than 300 guests at once, and many famous people came here. The hotel burned down in 1875, was rebuilt and was again completely destroyed by fire in 1923. The resort’s ruins were eventually boarded up after being abandoned. The land was purchased by New York State in 1940. The ruins are a well-liked destination for hikers, and an old ranger house has historical resort exhibits. Though it’s a well-known and fascinating location, you should proceed with extreme caution. There, the timber rattlesnakes adore it.

Albany (Albany County), Central Storage Building, 143 Montgomery Street

This cold storage building in the heart of downtown Albany has legitimately earned the title of “Albany’s Ugliest Building” because it resembles a massive concrete block that has just fallen off the largest dump truck in the world. This long-abandoned, fortress-like building is 11 stories tall and covered in graffiti; it effectively blocks out and detracts from the view of Albany’s stunning, centuries-long skyline. The building was sold a few years ago, but it is still surrounded by a chain link fence, practically daring someone to demolish it. This is a frequent resting place for squatters and the homeless.

Dansville (Livingston County), 39 NYS Rt 256, “The Castle on the Hill”

In Livingston County, there is a spooky old hospital that has been abandoned and is associated with a legend. Caleb Jackson established the Jackson Sanatorium, also referred to as “The Castle on the Hill,” in the late 1800s as a health and wellness resort. It was advertised as “guaranteed fireproof” and had 100 rooms. Many well-known people from the time stayed here for rest, recuperation, and cure. After a strenuous trip around the world, Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross, stayed here. In 1881, she established the first American Red Cross chapter in Dansville after receiving treatment here. Beware, the sanatorium is off-limits and dangerous to explore even though it is fascinating. wacky fact? Jackson created Granula, the nation’s first cold cereal. 

 Liberty’s Grossinger’s Resort (Sullivan County)

Grossinger’s, once the crown jewel of all Catskill resorts, is now just a distant memory. The renowned hotel, which in the 1950s and 1960s was just as important as New York City, Hollywood, or Las Vegas as a center of entertainment, is now in ruins, a tacky reminder of its former showgirl self. The well-known resort had a campus of 35 buildings, a wedding chapel, a ski slope, its own zip code, an airstrip, and a dining room that could serve 3,000 people at once at its height, under the direction of matriarch Jennie Grossinger. Eleanor Roosevelt, Governor Nelson Rockefeller, and boxing champion Rocky Marciano (who trained there) were among the famous regulars. Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher exchanged vows at Grossingers. The resort was abandoned in 1986 and has since degenerated into ruin. Although many of the hotel rooms were still furnished, they were defaced with graffiti, had elaborate architectural details destroyed, had pools destroyed, and had glass shattered. The once-regal hotel had been the target of previous attempts to revitalize it. The majority of the site was demolished in 2019 by Sullivan Resorts LLC, a division of Cappelli Enterprises, a Valhalla-based company owned by Louis Cappelli. The site is anticipated to undergo resort-related redevelopment.