Comments

Reminds me a lot of Rocky Glen Park/Ghost Town On The Glen here in Moosic Pa, just minutes from Scranton. Not worth really going there for abandoned building shots, but the lake shots with the changing leaves and now the snow are spectacular.

well written

There is nothing to hide here. When Bennett closed in the late 70's, the college was in such dire financial straights that there were no funds to properly winterize the already antiquated heating system. From the very beginning of it's closure there were "explorers" in and out of all parts of the building. An attempt was made to keep windows boarded, teenagers out, vandals out, etc... to no avail. I agree that this is a sad end to a beautiful structure but, even at the time of it's closing there was no one with deep enough pockets to finance the upgrades and repairs that would have been necessary to upgrade it to be a habitable space. The last fuel oil bill (in 1978 at 20 cents per gallon) for one quarter of a year (3 months) was $12,000. I know, I saw it, my father was the "last man standing" the last employee of Bennett and the first of many caretakers of the complex. In his words, the best thing that could have happened in 1978 when the place finally closed would have been to bring in a wrecking ball. He had worked at Bennett from the mid 1940's until it's closing and knew every nook and cranny of the old main building. His key ring was immense with jingling skeleton keys for the various locks and such. The asbestos used to insulate the pipes in the heating system was his ultimate and untimely demise and when he passed he took with him the secret location of every pipe, water main, sewer main and electrical panel in the complex. I am happy to see that Mr. Thorne and his foundation have stepped in to help create something that will once again be beautiful and full of life. Blessings to all who have passed through the grand halls of Halcyon however, it is finally time to let go, for me as well as, all of those who post here. Thanks to Pat Ratchet for keeping us all up to date as well as the entertainment you've brought over the years. This blog would not have been nearly as interesting and well read had you not participated in our mutual obsession.

why not convert it to housing. the facility is more sound than the vinylville housing next door. Probably ideal of elderly housing or a school too.

Great gallery the cinema in my town was damaged like this, in the end they kept the facade (it is grade 2 listed) demolished the rest and built a new library there instead interestingly the library has a film club and has film screenings

*puts on shades* Mother of God

New gallery yay! This is pretty cool. Can you make a wallpaper out of it Motts?

looks like a small church pew

This is fantastic

I've been away for quite some time. It was great on my first time back in eons I find Lynnes' comments. Like welcoming an old friend.

Would have loved to see this when it was all together. Must have been beautiful

Looks as if the door has been kicked closed more than a few times.

Hi Motts, thanks for the new sets of photos. There great as always. Can't wait for more posts from you in 2015!! Look forward to them as always. Love your incredible photos. Have a great New Year everyone!!

Back in the early to mid eighties after a night out at Romeo and Juliets or DSteptoes in the city centre we would travel out here at 2 in the morning when you could gain access to this building and we would just sit around telling stories and sleep here until morning. There is a mortuary on the side and access to the main building was via the basement

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