Tucked quietly away from the hustle and bustle of every day life and sometimes hidden in plain site, the remains of buildings – schools, churches, roads, and villages – have simply gone from vibrant to abandoned. Now past their primes, these five abandoned places in Pittsburgh Mother Nature is reclaiming would certainly tell tall tales, if they could speak, of all that they've seen in their vast histories:
1. Carrie Furnaces
Perhaps the most recognized of places in Pittsburgh being reclaimed by mother nature, Carrie Furnaces is currently undergoing a restoration that would allow visitors to tour inside the buildings of furnaces six and seven. Originally opened in 1907, Carrie Furnaces created iron for Homestead Works. After production peaked in the 1960s, the furnaces permanently closed in 1978. Today, visitors can tour Carrie Furnaces, led by a guide, annually from April through October.
2. Abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike
You'll have to travel nearly two hours outside of Pittsburgh to Breezewood to discover the abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike and tunnels, which closed when 13 miles of the highway was rerouted to the new turnpike in 1968. You are allowed to hike along the abandoned highway and tunnels, including the Rays Hill Tunnel, but proceed with caution as the terrain may be rough. Click here for directions to the abandoned turnpike.
3. Seldom Seen Greenway
Once the site of a small village of rural Pittsburghers and farmers, Seldom Seen Greenway in Beechview was slowly reclaimed by Mother Nature in the 1960s when the remaining villagers moved on and developers stayed away from the pristine green. Today, visitors can enter Seldom Seen Greenway via a gate and can stroll on the paths that pass through a stream, the woods, and a railroad. Click here for directions to Seldom Seen Greenway.
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4. Larimer Elementary School
Originally built in 1896 in the Larimer section of Pittsburgh, Larimer Elementary School was designed by Ulysses Peoples but earned its name after a local, William Larimer, who would go on to found Larimer City, Nebraska. The elementary school, which closed its doors for the final time in 1980, may not remain abandoned for much longer, however, as developers plan to transform the building into affordable housing units. Click here for directions to Larimer Elementary School.
5. Saint Peter and Paul Church
Saints Peter and Paul Church in East Liberty boasts a rich history, dating back to its opening in 1891. Nearly two decades later, in 1901, the interior of the popular parish was destroyed by a massive fire caused by a lightening strike, which resulted in the construction of a new church around what was left of the burned structure. A declining parishioner base led to the parish being merged with several other churches in the Pittsburgh area before Saints Peter and Paul Church closed its doors for the final time in 1997.
What do you think of these five abandoned places in Pittsburgh Mother Nature is reclaiming? Share your thoughts!
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