Hello everyone! Greetings post trip from the Cresson Sanitorium and Prison in Lily, PA! I am happy to have vended here as the trip turned out to be way more interesting than I ever would have thought, and definitely can't wait to go back one day to investigate some more!
Me and my assistant/very dear friend Gail, did not know what to expect when we rolled up to this location. There isn't much information online in terms of how grandiose this location actually is, but that definitely added to our surprise in the greatest way possible. Picture a 15-20 building prison compound. The location sits perfectly on a mountain that catches the most beautiful views of sunsets and thunderstorms, yet the buildings themselves look eerie and less than desired. You can tell just by this contrast, each building has a story to tell.
In terms of vending at the event, I truly believe that the thunderstorm we encountered changed peoples minds from continuing to shop on location. One can never accurately pinpoint how a convention of any kind will go. I certainly don't blame people, as I myself, probably would have thought twice especially if I got caught in a thunderstorm. Which by the way, getting caught in the storm was SUPER interesting to say the least haha I thought I was going to have a panic attack at some point because the energy of the storm was so intense! Definitely a first in my book but let me tell you: mother nature doesn't play! Unfortunately some parts of the booth got wet but it is what it is. Made for an interesting welcome to the location, that's for damn sure!
Let's get into the Cresson Prison history (one of my favorite topics!).
🌄 Origins as TB Sanatorium (1911–1956)
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Land donation by Andrew Carnegie: In 1911, Andrew Carnegie gifted land along the Allegheny Mountains ridge to the state for a tuberculosis hospital en.wikipedia.org+13architecturalafterlife.com+13penchickphoto.com+13.
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Construction & opening: Construction began in 1912; the Cresson Tuberculosis Sanatorium officially opened in January 1913, though completion extended to 1916en.wikipedia.org+10architecturalafterlife.com+10uncoveringpa.com+10.
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Architectural style: The main facility featured Tudor Revival architecture—sandstone walls, gargoyles, Scottish crests—reflecting Carnegie's Scottish heritage en.wikipedia.org+2abandonedspaces.com+2uncoveringpa.com+2.
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Evolving treatment: Originally focused on fresh-air, rest, and diet cures; by the 1940s, streptomycin introduced (circa 1947) significantly reduced TB cases abandonedonline.net+2architecturalafterlife.com+2bluekingo.com+2.
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Patient cemetery: An unmarked cemetery nearby (Union Cemetery) holds remains of hundreds of TB patients; later memorialized in the mid-1960s hauntedus.com+12tribdem.com+12reddit.com+12.
🏥 Transition to Psychiatric Hospital (1956–1982)
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Repurposed in 1956: Became part of Lawrence F. Flick State Hospital, caring for mental health patientsen.wikipedia.org+9abandonedonline.net+9theclio.com+9.
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Renaming and expansion:
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1964: Rebranded as Cresson State School and Hospital, serving individuals with intellectual disabilitiesreddit.com+13abandonedonline.net+13bluekingo.com+13.
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1970s: Name changed again to Cresson Centerabandonedonline.net+3architecturalafterlife.com+3bluekingo.com+3.
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Closure: The psychiatric facility ceased operations in December 1982 reddit.com+6abandonedonline.net+6hauntedus.com+6.
🚔 Conversion to State Prison (1983–2013)
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Prison conversion: Renamed SCI‑Cresson, planning and construction began in 1983 via executive order from Governor Thornburgh penchickphoto.com+9en.wikipedia.org+9abandonedspaces.com+9.
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Opening: It officially opened in 1987 as a medium-security, all-male prison after a $20.6 million renovation; many original TB-era buildings were adapted, while wings on the administration building were demolisheduncoveringpa.com+6architecturalafterlife.com+6bluekingo.com+6.
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Operation: Housed inmates until June 30, 2013, when high maintenance costs prompted its closurehauntedus.com+6abandonedonline.net+6pabucketlist.com+6.
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Notable inmates: Included serial killer Joseph Kallinger and murderer John du Pontabandonedonline.net+4en.wikipedia.org+4en.wikipedia.org+4.
🌱 Post-Prison Transformation (2013–Present)
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Ownership changes: After closure, the vast site was sold and redeveloped by Big House Produce into a hydroponic farm by late 2019 altoonamirror.com+12abandonedonline.net+12uncoveringpa.com+12.
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Tours & events: Since 2021, parts of the property—including historic buildings and prison cells—are open for guided tours, photography, ghost hunts, and even urban exploration uncoveringpa.com+1uncoveringpa.com+1.
👻 Paranormal Reputation
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Hauntings reported: Investigators and visitors recount EVPs, footsteps, slamming doors, shadow figures, and motion-sensor activations in tunnels and wings hauntedus.com.
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Media exposure: Featured on paranormal shows like Destination Fear and numerous ghost-hunting eventshauntedus.com+1reddit.com+1.
As you can see, this place holds a colorful past. This location was definitely unique for sure and I definitely wouldn't mind going back to explore certain buildings a bit deeper. My takeaway: know your limits, boundaries with energy, and put up plenty of psychic protections! You can tell, especially before the sun sets here, that the buildings have plenty of stories to tell and in the dark, the would tell them... If you go to investigate here, keep your protections up, proceed with caution, and be respectful. People worked here, lived here and died here.
I am currently reviewing the audio clip I took here and if I find anything, I will post it but I'll never forget the feelings I had here - especially in building F.
Thanks for reading as always and until the next blog post.. Stay well and sane.
Brittany,
Head Creatrix
