A state rich in history, Virginia is full of undiscovered treasures that ring with the echoes of the past. In order to find these forgotten locations, each with a unique tale to tell, we will travel across time in this piece.
These locations provide a moving window into a bygone period, from the silent mills that drove the early economy to the eerie ruins of once-grand estates.
Not only do we learn the stories of those who came before us, but we also consider how fleeting human achievements are in the face of time’s inexorable passage.
Come along as we share the histories and secrets of some of Virginia’s most intriguing abandoned places.
Wise County Orphanage
With time, the surrounding nature gradually engulfs the isolated Wise Country Orphanage. It is said by several people that little children haunt the property. It’s an intriguing place to check out, but there’s not much information about its history available online.
To demonstrate the extent of the property’s neglect over time, it’s helpful to take some aerial drone footage or to photograph the outside while you’re nearby.
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DeJarnette Center
Dr. Joseph DeJarnette, the director of Western State Hospital, founded the DeJarnette Center, which was intended to be a more affluent family’s facility.
Unfortunately, DeJarnette was a vocal supporter of the eugenics movement and this affected his patients. The conditions within were inconceivable, since patients were viewed as flawed objects that needed to be fixed.
Unexpectedly, Virginia would carry on with forced sterilizations well into the 1970s. When the state eventually took over the center in the middle of the 1970s, a large portion of it fell into disrepair.
Read More: Spectral Secrets: The Haunted Bridge of Pennsylvania’s Past
Western State Lunatic Asylum
Established in 1828, the vast Western State Lunatic Asylum (Stauton) provided treatment for individuals with mental disabilities. Stauton was regarded as the most opulent, resort-style asylum in the mid to late 1800s, catering to individuals with mental and emotional problems.
In the late 1800s, the facility would stop providing much of the same care and change its name from Stauton to Western State Hospital. Funding for resort-style establishments had dried up by the middle of the 19th century, and sterile institutions had become the new norm.
From the early 1900s until the late 1940s, the institution was plagued with forced sterilizations, electroshock therapy, and lobotomies. There are more than 2000 unmarked graves behind the property.
A significant portion of the Western State Lunatic Asylum is now the Blackburn hotel. Fortunately, they did a fantastic job of maintaining the spiral staircase, the history, and even the integrity of some of the cell doors.
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Crozet Tunnel
The Crozet tunnel, designed by Claudius Crozet, was regarded as one of the greatest engineering feats of its day. The longest railroad tunnel in the United States, this historic tunnel was built in 1858 and measured slightly over 4200 feet.
Coal and products were transported by the Virginia Central Railroad from isolated mining locations around the state. Even during the Civil War, the tunnel was crucial.
In the end, the Crozet tunnel would be closed when more effective railroads were connected. Now a portion of the Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail, the area tunnel is undamaged.
Since the route is accessible to the general public, anyone can easily visit this abandoned location in Virginia.
Read More: Haunted History: Pennsylvania’s Abandoned Asylum and Its Ghostly Secrets
Barton Mansion
Another formerly magnificent home that was well-known in the municipality was the Barton Mansion. Rumors about hauntings and restoration still abound around the area today.
Since its construction in the early 1900s, the mansion has experienced numerous modifications and sporadic extensions. The 20,000-square-foot estate was used as a polio treatment clinic, nursing home, sanitarium, and residence for single mothers for the most part of its early history.
It makes sense why the mansion has been plagued by ghost stories ever since it was built. After being acquired by investors, the property was converted into 17 opulent flats.
To Conclude
The neglected places of Virginia are mute reminders of time’s passing. Every site offers a window into the past, from abandoned tunnels whispering tales of ingenuity to asylums reflecting the progression of mental health treatment.
We are reminded of the fleeting nature of human endeavors and the influence of history when we examine these artifacts.
