Urban Exploring: Undercliff Asylum Meriden, CT. - General

[B]Urban Exploration as defined by Wikipedia. [/B][QUOTE][B]Urban exploration[/B] (often shortened as [B]urbex[/B] or [B]UE[/B]) is the examination of the normally unseen or off-limits parts of urban areas or industrial facilities.[URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_exploration#cite_note-SFGATE_062008-0"][1][/URL] Urban exploration is also commonly referred to as [I]infiltration[/I], although some people consider infiltration to be more closely associated with the exploration of active or inhabited sites. It may also be referred to as "draining" (when exploring drains) "urban spelunking", "urban caving", or "building hacking". The nature of this activity presents various risks, including both physical danger and the possibility of arrest and punishment. Many, but not all, of the activities associated with urban exploration could be considered [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trespass"]trespassing[/URL] or other violations of local or regional laws, including - but not limited to - invasion of privacy and certain broadly interpreted anti-terrorism laws.[URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_exploration#cite_note-trespassingUE_93009-1"][2][/URL] [/QUOTE]First off: This shit gets me off. It is my fucking thing. If your hobby is kite flying, then this is mine. Shall I proceed? Ok The most recent place that I have explored is an Abandoned building in some kind of governmental complex. Of course, it has been abandoned for reasons I do not know. I do not want to pin what the place was used for exactly because I have heard a couple of assumptions from various peoples. Many people say it is haunted but that's not what I was there to uncover, nor the motive of my travels. It suffices to say that I heard nothing other than our own crew when inside. 2 Possible uses. Sources include townspeople and other explorers as well as some internet (shady) sources. [LIST] [*]An abandoned Insane Asylum. [/LIST] [LIST] [*]An abandoned center for kids with Tuberculosis. [/LIST] Once again I do not know exactly which one of these is correct, or rather if any of them are, but these seem to be what is to be believed. Who knows the uses might have spanned both of these areas. [B]Excerpt from a forum. [/B][QUOTE]Hey there everyone, just found this neat place while looking for info on supposedly haunted old asylums, but I've only been able to sadly debunk many things I've heard. For instance, from everything going back to the 1930 US Census, Undercliff seems to be a tuberculosis hospital that eventually became a school until it closed. The real estate information says the "Former Undercliff School" is a 9 acre plot at 72 Undercliff Road, Meriden CT 06451, vacant, but it was never an insane asylum as I'd been told by my sister when I was a kid. I grew up in Meriden, so that one was always my favorite. From satellite photos and maps, I can see Undercliff Road (which I've driven past many times but never entered) has operating buildings only at the very beginning, then curves to the back and ends in a cul-de-sac loop where the big old scary place should be. I figure you can park at Target and try to walk through the woods around back, or park down on Resevoir Street behind it and walk up that way. Also, unless there is an old one, Cedarcrest on Russel Road in Newington is still fully operational, but all the phone and fax numbers for the hospital start with 666-####. Not that I'm reading into this at all, I just think that's really funny. I didn't think that prefix was ever used for phone numbers, like how only movie and TV numbers start with 555. Oh, and I've been to Elmcrest, my sister also spent some time there, though they did get shut down for a bit for "restraining" a boy to death (restraining was when they paged Dr. Strong to a location, and all able bodied men would gather there and hold a patient down, often just lying on top of them). When they reopened they had a new name last time I knew, my sister even went back there as an intern... nasty place, but not haunted that I know of. Here's the link to the boy's death, it's the last paragraph all the way at the bottom: [URL="http://www.charlydmiller.com/LIB05/1998hartfordcourant14.html"]http://www.charlydmiller.com/LIB05/1998har...dcourant14.html[/URL] So, I am in New Haven and always interested in gathering for a little investigation and discussion. 25/m, I assume weekends are best for most people, but any day except Wednesdays and Thursdays is good for me. [/QUOTE][B]Taken from "Haunted Places in Connecticut" [/B][QUOTE][B]Meriden - Undercliff Institution[/B] - Back in the early 1900's till the 30's and 40's near the Undercliff Institution there was a sanatorium made for sick children with diseases like rubella, mumps, German measles etc. Most of the children were brought there to die. The old brick building still stands near the old institution. Residents say that they can hear children crying and laughing. They are seen in the windows but only to vanish before you. Undercliff is now an abandoned building that is host to many different sightings. Reports of hearing former patients running around corners and down hallways to escape orderlies, and faint screams being heard form rooms where shock therapy was supposedly administered. Also sightings of a former patient who was murdered by a group of other patients with plastic utensils from the commissary walk the old courtyard.[/QUOTE][B]Youtube video that shows the whole complex [U] AT 4:11 You can pause and see our point of entry. [/U][/B] [URL="http://www.facepunch.com/#"]View YouTUBE video[/URL] [media][URL]http://youtube.com/watch?v=jZ7aRPfZf0w[/URL][/media] Compare 4:11 with my own photograph. [URL="http://img205.imageshack.us/i/dsc01364f.jpg/"][IMG]http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/5631/dsc01364f.jpg[/IMG][/URL] This little shack is what you need to climb up in order to gain entry inside of this particular building. It is approximately 10 ft high, it doesn't look like quite a climb but it gets tricky. It's nice to also have the comforting feeling of if you do fall you will slip on the ice below and crack your head open. :) [B]Detailed way of climbing the building. [/B][URL="http://img22.imageshack.us/i/pointofentry.png/"][IMG]http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/9472/pointofentry.png[/IMG][/URL] After getting up, there's is a slanted roof which you go up and then a flat roof covered in gravel. The real way inside the building is a broken window. [URL="http://img197.imageshack.us/i/outubeshot.png/"][IMG]http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/907/outubeshot.png[/IMG][/URL] This is what the window looks like. Climb on in, and you're vaulted into a completely different world. [URL="http://img145.imageshack.us/i/dsc01330.jpg/"][IMG]http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/4943/dsc01330.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Looks inviting doesn't it? [B]Now time to check yourself in![/B] [URL="http://img707.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc01331w.jpg"][IMG]http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/1066/dsc01331w.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Better picture of the wall, which is the first thing you see upon entry. [URL="http://img535.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc01360.jpg"][IMG]http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/7961/dsc01360.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [U][B]Keep one thing clear it is absolutely PTCH DARK when you are inside. With the aid of flash and a flashlight navigating was fairly easy. [/B][/U] Long Hallway (Pitch Dark) [URL="http://img688.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc01334ax.jpg"][IMG]http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/3126/dsc01334ax.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Pommel Horse? [URL="http://img197.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc01335ho.jpg"][IMG]http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/8363/dsc01335ho.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Tiles, everything is iced over. [URL="http://img62.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc01339y.jpg"][IMG]http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/7014/dsc01339y.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Collapsed ceiling [URL="http://img6.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc01336dd.jpg"][IMG]http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/4488/dsc01336dd.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Room that branches off from the hallway [URL="http://img59.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc01340r.jpg"][IMG]http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/4429/dsc01340r.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Something in a jar? [URL="http://img42.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc01341ny.jpg"][IMG]http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/2862/dsc01341ny.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Closer [URL="http://img163.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc01342b.jpg"][IMG]http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/8776/dsc01342b.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Entrance into the huge auditorium. [URL="http://img63.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc01346w.jpg"][IMG]http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/3434/dsc01346w.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Seats [URL="http://img694.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc01349p.jpg"][IMG]http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/3621/dsc01349p.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Stage infested with vegetation. [URL="http://img192.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc01352h.jpg"][IMG]http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/6389/dsc01352h.jpg[/IMG][/URL] I got my crew to sit in random seats while I took a picture from the stage. [URL="http://img269.imageshack.us/my.php?image=warpu.jpg"][IMG]http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/8772/warpu.jpg[/IMG][/URL] (Faces blurred) There is also a morgue, but unfortunately we didn't find it. Maybe I'll add some more images, but for now this is good.

Going urban exploring this weekend, unfortunately we ain't bringing a camera.

Why not? That's the best part in my opinion.

This seems pretty sweet, sadly I don't think there's any places like this in my area.

Holy crap the last picture scared me. Besides that, awesome trip. Wish there were places like that around my neighborhood.

Try looking around you'll be surprised on what places are in your area.

the last picture scares me

The pictures are too small, I can't see anything.

[QUOTE=riceninja;20113618]the last picture scares me[/QUOTE] [url=http://encyclopediadramatica.com/Swirl_Face]And it's not exactly a good thing to do either[/url]

It would be creepy if the faces of the people in the last picture were already swirled before you shooped it o.O (Like in the Ring)

Me and my friends went here. [url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Idria,_California[/url] Il upload a few pics if you like.

I really want to go urban exploring but there is really not much to explore near where I live :frown:

[QUOTE=Mudbone;20113666]Me and my friends went here. [URL]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Idria,_California[/URL] Il upload a few pics if you like.[/QUOTE] That looks insane definitely post pics.

great thread

Oh man, that is awesome. High five for exploration. I would be at most an amateur, but I have a friend who is willing to explore with me. In some buildings, yes. Others he won't set foot in. Unfortunately we live in a backwoods area so our options are limited. I have always wanted to break into a place like this and explore. I would be on my toes and scared, I'm sure. But it would all be worth it. All I can say is fucking awesome.

Huuuge pictures. Also, that's shit in the jar.

I felt the huge pictures were necessary since maybe people want to see some minute details. Also I figured it was shit. Fucking weird.

Look up Roo-kie's urban exploration threads for some good stuff

There is the place in the woods, but almost impossible to get into. Triple locks!

I have a few shitty cell phone pics I took when me and a couple friends went exploring. Went through 2 different condemned houses. Not the best pictures but they are neat to look at. The 1st caught fire and was condemned, and we were the first to go into it since we had to smash through the garage wall to get in (the doors and windows were sealed shut with sheet metal) The wall we had to knock down with pieces of pipes we found to get in [img]http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs094.snc3/16138_1262806217917_1462572402_30741977_1938888_n.jpg[/img] [img]http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs039.snc3/12640_165717042041_514342041_2666277_5358620_n.jpg[/img] the entrance from the garage into the burnt house (sideways) [img]http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs094.snc3/16138_1262804857883_1462572402_30741974_1185078_n.jpg[/img] My phone camera is shitty so even with a flashlight it could barely take pictures of anything. No shit though we found a death certificate for an old woman laying on the floor. And we knew no one else had been in before us since we had to break our way in and there was no signs of other explorers. [img]http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs114.snc3/16138_1262806257918_1462572402_30741978_7004853_n.jpg[/img] [img]http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs094.snc3/16138_1262804897884_1462572402_30741975_7070229_n.jpg[/img] The 2nd place we went to was an abandoned house on a farm on a hill. Honestly with the full moon as backlighting it looked like something from a horror movie when we were walking up the path to the house. When we came to go inside we noticed this place is/was being inhabited by hobos/crazy people because we saw ketchup bottles, mayonaise, bread bags, spoons and whatnot laying outside the broken off door. Since we were freaked the fuck out and had no way to defend ourselves we drove over and picked up our friend who is really into baseball and we all picked up a bat for ourselves. We went back and then went inside. Creepy as FUCK when you know that literally around any dark corner could be a homeless guy with a knife. Felt like I was playing Condemned in real life. Turned out the house was empty (at the time we were there thank god) creepy stairs [img]http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs094.snc3/16138_1262809217992_1462572402_30741995_3904967_n.jpg[/img] creepy boarded up window [img]http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs094.snc3/16138_1262809177991_1462572402_30741994_3510805_n.jpg[/img] Gotta see if I can get some of the better pictures +videos off of my friend since his blackberry managed to get some good shots at both places.

Asbestos, fuck yeah.

[QUOTE=Craptasket;20113789]Look up Roo-kie's urban exploration threads for some good stuff[/QUOTE] I remember those, shit was epic.

Also OP, you seem you an experienced explorer so I figure I'll pose an open question for you or anyone else. Alright, here goes: I just did some googling and found a bit of info on abandoned urban areas around here. Nothing too local or useful though. Are there any other methods for finding areas to explore?

[QUOTE=Teal Moose;20113871]Also OP, you seem you an experienced explorer so I figure I'll pose an open question for you or anyone else. Alright, here goes: I just did some googling and found a bit of info on abandoned urban areas around here. Nothing too local or useful though. Are there any other methods for finding areas to explore?[/QUOTE] Really the way we found our 2 places was just word of mouth. 1 person asked another who asked another etc, if they knew of any abandoned homes or buildings around and we got lucky. Your parents might know of some places.

Usually I'll drive around an area I'm familiar with and look a bit closer to see if I could find anything that looks like it's abandoned. But, usually the places I explore I find through people talking about them. Internet sources could be useful though, try finding UE networks or forums.

I love these threads.

What if my hobby is not kite flying? What is yours then?

[QUOTE=Aman V;20113898]Really the way we found our 2 places was just word of mouth. 1 person asked another who asked another etc, if they knew of any abandoned homes or buildings around and we got lucky. Your parents might know of some places.[/QUOTE] I just stumbled onto somewhere they do know about. I live in Eastern-Central Virginia. Anyone heard of Randolph-Macon College? That college has been largely run by my family for generations. I will probably end up in this school one day as well. I found some interesting shit about it. See for yourself: [url]http://theshadowlands.net/places/virginia.htm[/url] Sorry for the direct link, you'll need to scroll to Ashland and find Randolph-Macon. For some reason it wouldn't let me copy the text and a screenshot wouldn't upload. Anyway, I should be able to legally explore this place.

Colleges have underground tunnels. They could be very fun for exploring.

[QUOTE=Teal Moose;20113998]I just stumbled onto somewhere they do know about. I live in Eastern-Central Virginia. Anyone heard of Randolph-Macon College? That college has been largely run by my family for generations. I will probably end up in this school one day as well. I found some interesting shit about it. See for yourself: [url]http://theshadowlands.net/places/virginia.htm[/url] Sorry for the direct link, you'll need to scroll to Ashland and find Randolph-Macon. For some reason it wouldn't let me copy the text and a screenshot wouldn't upload. Anyway, I should be able to legally explore this place.[/QUOTE] IMO I think ghosts and hauntings are all bullshit and not real, but that would be a cool place to explore. I say go for it. I suggest bringing a camera, a few friends, flashlights, and some form of a weapon to defend yourself just in case.