Nestled in the quiet town of Salamanca, New York, Wildwood Sanatarium stands as a haunting tribute to the past. Built around 1900, the three-story Victorian house, complete with an attic and basement, was once a beacon of hope for the sick and ailing. In 1903, Doctors John Henderson and Carroll W. Perry purchased the building, which was later opened as the ‘Sunnyside Sanatarium and Bath House’ in 1906. Operating as the state’s only osteopathic infirmary, […]
Dorchester Prison stands as a haunting monument to centuries of crime, punishment and human suffering in England’s history. Completed in 1795 at a cost of 18,000 pounds, it replaced the ruins of a medieval castle, built in 1154 and abandoned by 1290. This four-storey prison served as a fortress of strict segregation, isolating male and female prisoners within its foreboding walls. For nearly 220 years, it operated as part of Her Majesty’s Prison Service. It […]
Virginia City, Nevada, United States
Nestled in the heart of Virginia City, Nevada, the Mackay Mansion is a striking reminder of the opulence and ambition of the Victorian era. Built in 1859 by George Hearst, who amassed his fortune from the region’s thriving mines, this three-story estate quickly became a symbol of wealth and power. Its history deepened in 1871 when it was purchased by John Mackay, an Irish immigrant who rose to extraordinary prominence after uncovering the legendary Big […]
Standing as a chilling reminder of Canada’s dark past, the SDG Gaol, or Cornwall Jail, whispers tales of torment, despair and restless spirits. Built in 1833 in Cornwall, Ontario, this foreboding structure served as both a minimum and maximum security facility for over a century and a half. Within its cold, oppressive walls, men, women and even children endured unimaginable conditions, often crammed into a single cell regardless of their crimes or circumstances. Among its […]
Located in the heart of Bradford, West Yorkshire, Bolling Hall is one of the oldest buildings in the area, its story is said to begin as far back as 1086, when it was mentioned in the Domesday Book under the ownership of a man named Sindi. Over the centuries, it passed through the hands of prominent families, including the Bollings, who left their mark by constructing the Hall’s first tower, and the Tempests, who expanded […]
Perched amidst the picturesque scenery in South Wales, Llancaiach Fawr embodies the vibrant legacy of the Tudor period. Constructed in 1530 by Colonel Edward Pritchard, this Tudor-style manor was strategically built on the remnants of a medieval castle. The Pritchard family, descended from Welsh royalty, wielded power and influence, with Colonel Pritchard himself playing a key role in local battles during the civil war. This manor, divided into sections for military and familial purposes, was […]
Nestled in the historic Old Chapel Yard in Carmarthenshire, Wales, Penuel Chapel stands as a tribute to centuries of religious dedication and architectural evolution. With the chapel’s origins dating back to 1757 when preacher, Stephen Davies, founded the initial chapel across the road, it gained formal recognition by the Baptist Association in 1778. As the congregation flourished, funds were raised to secure its current site in 1786, leading to a series of extensions and rebuilds. […]
Beechworth Asylum, once known as, Mayday Hills Psychiatric Hospital is a decommissioned ‘lunatic’ Asylum nestled on the outskirts of the rural Victorian town of Beechworth. The 200-acre site was chosen based on the belief that its altitude held the power to purify patients of their ailments. Beechworth Asylum was established in 1867 under Superintendent Thomas Dick. Over its 128-year existence, this ominous institution swelled to its peak, housing a total of 1,200 patients, alongside a […]
