Built in 1836, the two-story brick home that would later become the Gettysburg Orphanage began as a private residence purchased by Captain John Myers and his wife, Esther, in 1844. During the Battle of Gettysburg, the property served as both a headquarters and a field hospital, where countless soldiers were treated for their wounds. The need for an orphanage became heartbreakingly clear when an unidentified soldier was found deceased, clutching a photograph of his three […]
Nestled within Woodchester Park in Gloucestershire, England, Woodchester Mansion stands as a haunting yet captivating monument. Built under the ambitious vision of William Leigh, a wealthy Catholic convert, and designed by Benjamin Bucknall, work on the mansion began in 1850 but mysteriously ceased in 1872, leaving tools scattered and construction unfinished. Whether due to mounting costs, personal tragedy, or an unknown cause, the project was abruptly halted, enshrining the building in mystery and speculation. The […]
Virginia City, Nevada, United States
Stepping through the doors of the Silver Queen Hotel, immediately transports you back to the heyday of Virginia City’s mining boom. Built in 1876 on historic C Street, this impressive hotel stands as the oldest in town. With its 28 beautifully restored rooms featuring soaring 16-foot ceilings, the Silver Queen isn’t just a place to stay, it’s a piece of living history. The charm continues downstairs, where you’ll find an 1870s Saloon bar showcasing the […]
Located on Watling Street in Cannock, U.K., the historic Four Crosses Inn stands proudly. Built in 1636 this centuries-old coaching inn once served weary travellers journeying between London and Ireland, offering both accommodation and fresh horses for their onward trek. Its role as a bustling rest stop dwindled with the rise of railways in 1861, but its charm and mystique have only deepened over time. The Inn, with its timber-framed facade and a later addition […]
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 […]
