Comments

Fantastic historical and personal account posted, thanks! Wild and crazy junk yard dog is off the chain. At least he didn't bite you. The accusation of you being a cheap prostitute was unfounded. He doesn't know how much you charge.

That is exactly what I though, flushed and Tony C. (about the chair being interrogated by the lamp).

had a friend growing up who was one of the dr's there and his family lived in one of these houses- we used to go in the tunnels at night under the hospital

Sad to see. I went there on a high school weekend trip in 1984.

I attended school here in 1968 as a high school junior considering becoming a Salesian priest after 7 years attending Salesian sleep-away camp from 1959 to 1965 followed by working at the camp in 1966 & 1967.
Some of my happiest years were spent at Camp Don Bosco and the one year I spent at the junior seminary in Goshen with excellent teachers and other students also positively influenced in their lives by the famous charism of the brothers and priests of Saint John Bosco. Alas, chastity (an unnecessary vow if there ever was one, not something Jesus called for and in my opinion the single most important reason why vocations are way down and there’s a higher proportion of child molesters than in the general population) wasn’t for me, so I left. Unfortunately the Salesian’s have had their fair share of these misfits who have adversely affected some young people so profoundly but thank God the vast majority perform and conduct great work around the world today. When the Salesian’s finally sold the facility because of lack of vocations they were actually swindled which also added to the demise of the property. Such a shame, but the seminary overall produced hundreds who did (and still) do excellent work in the world. I loved the place and will always have fond memories of my time there. To me and many others it will always be hallowed ground.
Bob Miglino

Worked here from 1975 to 1983 .Then Jemison was closed . Residents and staff moved back to Partlow. other residents and staff transferred to other Centers around the state.....

wow this was to be a school!

Pat,

Another great update on the grand old gal there from you & you're welcome, always great to hear from you like that, glad you are well & knowing she still stands. Continue to do well & be well, looking forward to your next update. Take care.

As the autumn foliage turns color and begins to fall, Halcyon's rotting facades slowly reveal themselves to drivers-by. Remarkable how almost invisible much of it is during the summertime. Complaints about it
seem to subside, and then ratchet back up as it becomes unhidden
by summer's departing greenery. A sort of annual prewinter bandwagon, as it were.
I actually visited the site recently at the end of summer. All legally.
Of course. It is really falling apart! It looks extraordinarily dangerous,
and is, in ways that can't even be seen. Stay out, kids. I mean it.
It seems the trespassing problem has generally abated, due to the hulk being so obviously hazardous, that even crazy people balk entry. Wisely.
But it also due to the more effective fencing, as well as security cameras, that are monitored by the entities that can and will prevent
trespass. The signage also is unequivocal. Frankly, I like the heavy handedness. It is the RESPONSIBLE approach to the current status
of the building.
It didn't prevent us from taking great photographs of Halcyon. And there seems to be a measured balance between the required security, and space for admiration from afar, of most of it's now troubled facades. There is, in this spirit, now a historical marker and interpretive
plaque at the SW entry nearby, part of Millbrook's Museum In the Streets. So there seems to finally be a sense that everybody's stance
is represented: those that want to admire and photograph the place, safely, and those impatient with the long delay of demolition, who
can plainly see what is inevitably temporary, and what will eventually be a resolved solution to those properties. What that will be, and
when, is currently a situation in flux.
The proposal to relocate Millbrook's Bandshell to the parcel as part
of the public park planned for there, is likely a no-go. I sort of admired
the symmetry of it related to the village's concurrent saga to restore the Thorne Building, but it wasn't met with by excitement by villagers, who likely feel it too remote, and prefer their current setup for their quite
popular summer concert series. Fair enough.
The plan was a plausible scenario, but nixing it gets rid of a lot of complications actually. This site has enough on its' plate, right? But
it is refreshing that ideas and suggestions can be floated, but the populace can change its mind and say no thanks as well.
So the eventual disposition here then might well be along the original lines of a quiet park at the village's entrance. The stone terrace
preserved, overlooking the broad lawn, free of the pool and tennis courts, to be relocated for the condominium community there. And
perhaps the entire plot connected to the village along the old railroad line at the NE corner of the campus, bordering the golf course. It
cuts through the woods and is overgrown now, but remains unbuilt upon, and alights right at the village green near the Tribute Gardens.
A mini rail trail, to link Millbrook's 3 main parks. My idea would likely be shot down with prejudice by NIMBY interests, but who knows?
I think it's a cool scenario, and the logic of it is right in front of everyone.
Maps never lie.
Happy autumn, Halcyon lovers. She's still standing.

PS-Thank you for your kind words Flora, Iceberg, and all. Best regards.

Hey, had to revisit this page after so many years, the comments are still so funny! Even funnier, the ad between the pic and comments when I came on was titled, "Put These Lights in Kitchen."

This pic should be a wallpaper. Seriously. I'd use it.

When pictures like this are posted on your site I always know that I am going to learn things. The expertise of the people that visit this site is amazing. Thanks for all of the descriptions of the engine and it's parts.

I love more pics of this place

Oh no, chair down! :-( I really like this one, and agree, Tony C.!