We honeymooned there in October 1977 and it was such a beautiful well kept resort. I remember very well the shooting range, candle dipping, bowling lane, roller-skating and all the fun activities. I don't remember the indoor pool. The staff was amazing and the food was spectacular. I certain the video of the first cottage was the one we stayed at on the "lake", we had a canyon ride on an old plane flown by a very old man - the glider was not running that week. The Red Baron den was great. We did go back in the 90s for our anniversary and found it again to be absolute,y wonderful. I can hardly believe someone hasn't bought up this treasure and made a viable business. Thanks for the great video - we are Canadians and done recall any other Canadians there at the time.
I have never had the pleasure of staying there but I like to listen to the stories I'm sure that it makes you sad to see it in this condition since you had such great memories there I wish I could have stayed there as well
Judy, I still have the candles my wife and I dipped. I remember dipping them everyday. We meet a Canadian couple from Montreal and wrote to each other for a few years. What a great place it once was.
We were at Birchwood for our honeymoon June 6 1976. Still together after 45 years and living in Florida. It was sad watching the video to see what happened to the resort. I still have a glass from the Red Baron Den.
Your sensitivity to, and appreciation of your subject as more than just an abandoned place lends a feeling to each of your videos that I find lacking in most others in the genre. Your camera sees the present, but your careful framing and editing evokes the past as a palpable part of the story. I very much enjoy the fact that you allow your subject to be the "star" of the piece instead of trying to be centre stage yourself. These motel pieces especially seem to convey a sense of empathy and sadness at the passing of an era. Thank you again for your sublime artistry.
My wife and I stayed there for our honeymoon in August of 1999. Place was awesome, we never had to leave resort, they had everything you could ever want or need to do. I remember doing kareoke at that night club. Well it's sad this place ended up like this. My wife and I been married 22 years now still going strong.
I was conceived here in June of 1978, my parents were here for a weekend get away. It wasn't a honeymoon as they were already married for three years by that time. Shortly after I was born my family moved to Vancouver Canada so I never saw this place... till now. Still sad to see it abandoned.
My parents honeymooned here in Aug 1974. I lost my mother in 2012 to cancer and thought that maybe taking a trip here with my husband would be a neat way to honor her memory. Until I google researched, I had no idea it was shuttered. I've since learned about and joined an urbex FB group dedicated to abandoned places in PA. It was there I found some pics of the place in it's current state. it amazes me how little changed from 74 to 2006 when it closed for good. I have compared current day pics (and now video thanks to you) with my parents honeymoon photo memories. Thank you so much for uploading this!
While we were watching youtube for different resorts this popped up! It was amazing. We spent our honeymoon here in July 1982. Sorry to see what happened to it. I checked out some of our photos and we could see the resemblance. It was definitely weird!! I would be glad to send you some of the photos if you are interested. Thanks for checking the place out!! Thought about looking into going back for a special anniversary but looks like that won't happen!!
Birchwood was amazing back in the day went a couple of times a year from 1978 - 1999. So sad to see it this way but thank you for bringing back great memories. The buildings and grounds were beautiful and always maintained. We use to go flying in and out of the Airpark when my Brother in law flew in to stay in the Chalet next to ours on the lake. The food was excellent as was the entertainment in the Red Baron Den... Such good times
I might of waited on you in the dinning room! 77-81 off and on! We had a good time working there and the guest joined right in! I always say happy workers mean happy guest!
OK so, picking up on the article and googling a little further, the owner of Birchwood was Wally Hoffman. He was a former US Airforce flyer (perhaps explaining the nightclub's theme) who went on to join PanAm as a pilot - while he was working the day job he built up the resort on the side with his wife. He also built the nearby airstrip... My guess would be that when he passed away, the resort went with him. Given the facilities and location it's amazing that it wasn't picked up by another company. Isn't it strange how many things die with their creators?
Wally lost the resort to the bank. I worked there in the 90's just after the bank was running it. From what I remember he used a lot of the profits to finance Pocono Airlines.
Pete , I spoke to Wally in 2016 , he was living in Florida (next to a small airport) with his second wife Gail. His wife from the Birchwood days was Carol.
Wow! How interesting to know the history of the old place, yes very sad when these places basically die with their makers, I bet it was stunning in its day and peaceful. As in my other comment it is like the Dirty Dancing camp by the lake where Baby went to visit Patrick Swayze in his stilted chalet and the Thunderbird outside! Thanks for posting this interesting piece.
@carolinewaite7185 you could tell by the furniture etc that a lot of love care and attention went into that place. It is easy to see even from this footage that Mr. Wally didn't spare any expense. Even more impressive is that ice bucket junkies haven't ravaged the copper from this amazing property. I would bet the original proprietor keeps undesirables away in the after life. So sad the big business, maximized profits & of the like conglomerates have sucked the life out of heart and soul small business owners of yesterday.
great video Dan!!! my wife and I used to go to Birchwood for many years with our friends .we used to go in January ,for about 8 years in a row,starting in 1989.we always had a great time,especially if it snowed.we would go snowmobile riding,skiing,ice skating,and just hang out drink and have a good all time.we would go in the pool,shoot baskets,bowl,archery,shoot guns,and ofcourse head to the Red baron lounge.my buddy proposed to his girlfriend in that lounge...pretty cool...they had a entertainmet director,named Chip.what a funny guy he was,made everyone laugh and have a good time.the food there was very good,and plenty of it.the breakfeast was fit for a king,everything you can imagine.we have photos of us taken in the dining area in front of the fireplace,every year we went.back then it cost around $500 for the weekend,evrything included.it makes me sad to see the condition of Birchwood,i spotted many seats and area's that we sat and had fun in.i used to fish in both lakes there with plenty of bass and pickerel to be had..oh well,thanks for taking the time to take this video!!! don jrdvl@aol.com
Thanks for a great video. My wife and I stayed there for a honeymoon in February 1993. Now we live in the Poconos and she drove by during the search period. She stopped to look at it and said she felt like she was being watched so she left. Later she told me they should search there but like others thought it was too far to find Frein.
Thank God that she followed her feelings & left when she did. I never go against those 'feelings'. It's like a 6th sence or a guardian angel is wrong you of danger. I'm glad she is alright. I can't believe they didn't have a bigger search grid ! Never underestimate your enemy!! I spent 14 yrs in the Army.
@@ThisisDanBell Glad you are alright ! Love your videos. Couldn't get off the floor from laughing watching the crap motels esp the one in Maryland....FUNNY!!!
Dan, what is fascinating to me is that each inanimate object, a telephone, chair, desk, bottle, etc a human being sat or stood there for one final moment and then walked away never to return. Life is all about what we leave behind once we are done
Honeymooned here from March 1-8, 1969. It was a beautiful cabin with canopy bed and fireplace on the lake. Remember candle dipping, bowling, horse back riding, airplane ride and the rustic dining room. So sad what happened to it!
My Wife and I spent a weekend here ,oh maybe 25 years ago (we are still married 31 years now ) It was great ! We went for an airplane ride they offered to view the Water Gap I took pictures with my 35mm , Loved the in room pool/sauna ,ate all meals ,good food from what I remembered, we used all the amenities ,pool ,tennis etc...great memory always wanted to go but never got the chance,its sad its gone ! Just more reminders that life goes on....
Even if the killer was there, i sincerely doubt you would have seen him. he was there to hide, the last thing he'd want is a confrontation. I do love these old resorts though, its a shame they don't open them up as time capsules, i think a 70s themed retro resort might be quite popular. But the beginning of cheap air flights from the 90s really choked these places.
Dan, I've been binging on your videos for a month or so now. I want you to know that I really appreciate the fact that when I watch them, I don't get sick to my stomach. I suffer from motion sickness and other people don't know how to hold the camera still so I can enjoy the tour. This one was one of my favorites!
this is sooo bizzare... It's like all the occupants of the building had to get up and leave at a moments notice. There are still drinks on the bar, Basketballs on the court floor, papers on the shelves and desks, perfectly good furniture, ETC. Nobody even cleaned anything it's like everyone just vanished in the blink of an eye
+Max Moser (aMAXproduction) Another reason for not selling is that oftentimes they can do better taking the losses as a tax write-off. I worked for an engineering firm that would routinely throw away expensive outdated equipment for just that reason.
My Ex-wife and I stayed at Birchwood twice. The second two storied cabin you entered was the first cabin we stayed in. That was a great resort. I fished all three "lakes" on the property and had some amazing catches. I am sad to see Birchwood in that condition..... We have a lot of great memories from there. I hear that the new property owners are going to build a water park on the resort.
I’m guessing they hired the security guard after the killer had been found on property - the news coverage would have raised interest in people going there to check it out. It had probably been fairly under the radar before then.
You are so funny! I did security guard jobs for years & I cringe at the dangerous crap I did for barely any pay. The so called 'wonderful husband' (we met while togather at a security job) was in charge of putting guards at different places. He put me in a can making place I found out latter the cops refused to work there & if 'male' guards worked there they carried 357 mag hand guns, I had NO weapon. You had to call the cops when you went on a round, then had examount of time to do your rounds then had to call & say you were back & ok. This was before cell phones. Only once I didn't call & the cops came flying down the road. I'd kept a guy in a truck talking, he was trying to steel big rolls of aluminum, I pretended that I thought he worked there, I knew the cops would show up. The guy chilled & the cops took him away but it could have gone another way. After that I told hubby if I'm not armed you can get someone else. At 6 flags store outlets in Jackson, New Jersey the crap guard company would only have 1 guard on from 10 PM to 6 AM. You drive around in a patrol car & the girl on before me would keep her cell phone charged up & I'd have no raideo cause I'd have to put it on charge cause the girl who was sleeping with the boss got away with murder. I would have been fired if I hadn't charged the raideo. I didn't have the money for a cell phone, that went to rent & stuff. I'd bring my big dog with me, we'd ride & walk around & I knew alot of police who were really nice & protective. I stopped a store robbery from around the cornor where I'd get coffee, ha, ha. They don't rob an outlet store they try to rob a little store. I wasn't armed on that job eighter. I quit that job when they said I could no longer have my dog with me. Have to laugh cause not a week latter the place got robbed big time. I guess the 'chick' was guarding her boss & not the stores. When you look back, think of the stuff we did 'back when' that today there'd be no way. The 2 guys that tried to rob the coffee shop place had a gun but was close to me, Army training ect. came in handy, Jr. left by ambulance. I give the credit to God who sure has watched over me though alot of stupid low pay jobs. I got stopped by the cops once for having a rubber hand sticking out of the trunk. A rookie cop got all happy & started shooting orders, the seaoned officer knew me & knew it was a fake hand & he made the rookie cop opened the trunk, the guy did & almost fainted when the hand hit the ground. That was so funny. Well, sorry for ANOTHER long comment. Just thought I'd stop by & say "hi".😁
Maybe there wasn't a guard there at the time Jr. was wondering around. Maybe the guard saw the guy & was smart enough to warn the police that he was there. Maybe that guy would have killed the guard if confronted, who knows. If I'd have seen him & known who it was I'd of stayed low & tried to keep an eye on him while calling the cops if I had a working cell phone. No need to play 'hero' no matter what the pay. Like I shouldn't have stopped that store robbery but I was really angry at once again not having a working raideo.
I was there for my honeymoon in 1967 , it was owned by a Pan Am 747 pilot and his wife. You could go to the onsite airport for a airplane ride over the area , the pilot was a former World War II German pilot. My wife and I stayed in one of the two story chalets over looking the lake. They had a bathtub so big that you started running the water while you were at dinner. All the guests were newlyweds so we would meet in the gym and the program director let us know what was going on that day. We also got to meet the other couples. It was a great place back then and a great beginning of a married life.
As a teen in the 80s I always heard about the Poconos, but never visited. At 2:34 you've just shown a lovely pool (if cleaned) and the cabins are STUNNING!!! I didn't get a honeymoon when I got married so I always dream of cute honeymoons. I would love to stay in little cabins like what you are showing at 2:34! So cute. I too have been obsessed with old motels and the husband hated how I always wanted to stay in one. LOL. So glad I just found your channel about an hour ago!!! So glad you appreciate the old motels and old cute places too! Maybe they'll get loved again and fixed up and stayed in and appreciated and enjoyed again! I can hope :)
This is amazing. It's great to see a old abandoned place that vandals have not trashed. You can really imagine what it was like when it was lively and full of people.
Dan! I must must say! The music you implement into your videos really accentuates, what I like to say is nostalgia for a place and time I never knew. It really creates a very sad, and pitiful mood, that just is so perfect. Thank you for such great work!
Reminds me of Dirty Dancing! When the owner said “It seems to be all coming to an end! Kids want trips to Europe!” This is probably what his resort looked like after foxtrot lessons weren’t in vogue anymore.
What a great place back in the day. I can just see myself in one of those little cabins, enjoying a cold one with a good book, out on the little balcony, listening to nature by the lake. And yes, Dan, I have to agree, the vintage pub downstairs was my favorite. Great video, thanks for sharing and stay safe.
Never been there, but if I had I would never had wanted to leave! OMG! Watching this tour I had a terrible urge to want to straighten up all the tipped over furniture and begin dusting and cleaning up the place. Have no idea why it had that affect on me, weird! What a beautiful resort! Thanks for another great tour!
This place is wonderful. I don’t know why people nowadays prefer to dump money into expensive vacations. It’s just about you and your partner. Definitely would of loved to stay somewhere like this in its hayday.
you're videos are magical to watch. hey give off a feeling that i can't explain. I feel like this place was once beautiful and full of life, but seeing it this way is so interesting to. Thanks Dan. I cannot and will not stop watching these vids.
I live in the area an have been thru all the abandoned resorts it’s pretty cool to see someone else enjoying going thru it my parents and grandparents worked at some of the different resorts in the area and the story’s they’ve told me of how nice it was it’s a shame to see it in ruins or demolished like buck hill
Hi, Dan. I will honestly say that you are hands down the best explorational channel on TH-cam. I am subscribed to many others, but looking forward to your newest adventure videos is like winning the biggest lottery in the world. With the kind of entertainment you provide, there is no need for Vegas or the Power Ball! - Alex :-)
Please don't get yourself killed, I really love your videos! ;) Seriously, I always think about things like that and it is a very scary fact that someone could be hiding out in one of these properties. Be Careful Please!
+This is Dan Bell. Bring a taser it's legal and you won't be charged like if you would have a knife with you for defense, a buddy of mine got arrested with me urban exploring because he had a switchblade for defense and switchblades are illegal in Massachusetts, All the cops did was just give me a warning for trespassing and left me there...
That nightclub, Red-Baron! A real time trashure! , all near untouched! , amazing exploration! A real juwel ! Thx allot , & your work , that cool videos & the historys with this calm voice! ONLY exzellent ! & nice gr. from Vienna ! Thx for all & stay save Mr.Dan 👍🏼✌🏼
I love love your videos, it is almost physically painful to see the vandalism and destruction in what where lovely structures. Glad to hear you are not alone when filming. Keep up the good work.
This is amazing! I stayed at Birchwood probably 10 times from 1988 to 1990 with my girlfriend. It was a beautiful place and couples only. The first cabin you went into was called the "Plymouth Chalet". The resort was pretty much all inclusive, so there really was no reason to leave. There was a nominal fee for bowling and the shooting range, lunch was not included and you had to pay for drinks. I even remember the managers name, Aldo. If memory serves the property is owned by the same group that owns Spa Castle in Whitestone, Queens, NY and had planned on opening a Spa Castle on the old Birchwood location, I guess that never got off the ground. Thanks for posting this, brings back a flood of memories, I have driven by the property over the years and was always curious, as to what the insides of the buildings look like today. Now I know.
I went there with my wife in the early 70,s. The price included food, cottage and all the property had to offer. The bar was extra. I wasn't on my honeymoon and I remember their wasn't many people around. I believe most stayed in the cottages. (you can figure out why ! ! 😏
Fantastic work Dan! It's nice to see a place that isn't completely tagged up and destroyed by vandals. what a beautiful place, the nightclub was incredible
Parents honeymooned there in 1977. Pictures of the exact room you went in. They talk of it all the time. they returned in the 90's when I was just a boy. since then I guess it closed.
My mom and aunt actually took me here a few years back. They told me about how they used to vacation here all the time before me and my brother were born. I've been back a few times just to drive past and snap a few photos. Does anyone know if the security guy is still there? I'll be going back soon and would love to get some pictures of the grounds. This video really shows the beauty of the land and the buildings.
I really liked this video. I live very close! I like that you're not like many other urbex youtubers that keep saying "omg dude this is so creepy" repeatedly in their videos. So refreshing.
I wonder where the security guard was. So they actually keep the electricity on in this old, falling apart building and pay someone to sit in the creepy, dirty, dusty, deteriorating building to keep vandals out? Why? The property owner is just letting what was once a beautiful resort waste away. Why bother wasting electricity and hiring someone to guard it?
He's at 7:22 up in the right side doorway with his flashlight. Maybe watching Dan Bell, or is that Will? I'm not sure, but I was thinking it was security looking for vandals/looters.
Thanks for the great video's Dan. My wife and I honeymooned near there in a place right on Rt. 80. It became another hotel. It had heart shaped beds, but the sheets weren't heart shaped. There were ants in the room. The dinner's were served cruise style. You ate with a bunch of guests each night. It was a pretty good experience. Its a shame those places are gone. God Bless!
The design of this one is more like a hunting lodge, or den of the 70s. Our family room in our house built in the early 80s has the exact same brick. I really love this one!!
I live in the Scranton area; my husband works in the Poconos. I was so incredibly freaked out when they were looking for Frein. The search was constantly on the news. When he was caught, I was soooooo curious about this resort. You're the best Dan 👌
+Tony Thatcher So I looked this place up online. Apparently the property was bought in 2008 and they want to create a spa resort with a waterpark, a condo development, and "meeting rooms". They 1st proposed something in 2010 before the Frein incident, but the residents protested that it was too large. They just proposed the above plan in 6/2015, people still think it's too large. They like the small town feel of the area. But that explains the security on site.
+Kirsten Phillips No, apparently the place closed in 2001--I always try to figure out how long these places have been derelict-I'm weird like that -(even then it looks like it was pretty dated), but the property was purchased in 2008. I'd post links to where I got my info, but I'm not sure if that's allowed here. Google Birchwoord resort Poconos (because apparently there's an open resort by the same name in MI), and you should find a video/news blurb on it pretty easily, but the dates I got from other sources courtesy of Google.
My wife and I instead of going to the Jersey shore for a week in 1985 decided to go to Mount Airy for a week, We had a wonderful time . It was so beautiful , Its a shame ,
Another GREAT one Dan. Thank you so much for the thrills and chills walking through these places with you in cyber spirit. Please always be careful ok?
Beautiful! So much more character than the stuff they build today. Would have loved to stay here, though I'm not much into romance or honeymoons! Loved the rifle range, target shooting is my favorite sport! Thanks for a great tour.
That was amazing Dan! Some areas look nearly pristine. Would love to see the place restored. Such a shame that such a time capsule, as you called it, is just left to crumble.
2:17 That little pond is EXACTLY the view I would like outside of a tiny/simple cottage to rent. So beautiful! Ever since I first found this video of yours, I can't stop thinking about how cute it was. I wouldn't like the huge, bustling parts of it at the pool, etc-but to rent a quiet cottage and just look at that pond. That's all I need. Thanks again for uploading this. (Sad yet lovely!)
Guys like Frein would be pretty hesitant to kill if they were already being hounded. Another murder wouldn't help their odds of being paroled. If anything they'd just tie you to a chair and find another hiding spot. The only reason he killed those cops was because one of them supposedly beat his sister-in-law or something.
So much orange, lol! At least this one mixed in some blue instead of the usual brown and green. Another spectacular video from the Poconos, lost honeymoon capital of the Keystone state! Thanks Dan! :)
When I watch these videos I always think that furniture would like nice in my apartment and they're just throwing it away. But, his videos are entertaining.
Thanks for the video.. it was a trip down memory lane for me . I’d love to pop in and explore if I was in the area. I worked at Birchwood in like 2001(2?) . I left Florida to work season in Alaska but we were stopping off in the Poconos for a couple of months . Well we ended up staying in dIfferent areas in PA for like 4 years . I was a server in the dining room . That area where the gross pan was ..was where Mrs Shirley cooked breakfast .. they had the yummiest Pecan Belgian waffles . Honestly the place was dated when i worked there but still maintained & operating well enough. I actually lived in a neighborhood next to it, I’d cut through the clay shooting range & the woods to get home. It is a beautiful piece of land . Sometimes I’d drive in with the dining manager Ingrid instead of walking and that long road in always had deer on it .
THANK YOU DAN BELL Your videos are AWESOME, I think that it's so cool to see these places, thanks to you. You make great videos, and your voice is soothing like Morgan Freeman. Please keep doing what you're doing!
+This is Dan Bell. Please go to and film Dan River/Schoolfield Mills in Danville, VA. One building remaining, multiple floors and mezzanines. Creepy labyrinths, bathrooms and textile machinery. Signs of someone living on the 4th floor of the factory.
+This is Dan Bell. WOW. and you included the paper from 1970 How cool is that.. I love that you try to show before and after pictures/video. But a newspaper?? you got any other old newspaper articles laying around???? Brilliant
+Charlotte Dickson you may be interested to know this, but a lot of old buildings like, from the 50's and the like would sometimes have their walls insulated with newspapers. I went to some wrecked house, now demo'd, and it contained a 1940's article on "Tito" the Yugoslavian president in the walls.
Omg, the music... in every single video, I just love it. I love this kind of music and it really makes me enjoy the video more. I'm so happy I found this channel! My favourite channel in this category!
Crap! There were drinks left on the bar...from like the early 80's!!!! Like the people just got up and ran! The bartender didn't even clean up! So bizarre!!! Thanks Dan...now I'm gonna have nightmares about this place!
+Kirsten Phillips It is strange since everything else would have still been in operation. Did they really just say, "Eh, why clean up? No one will know!"
+Kirsten Phillips Maybe in the days or weeks after it closed, the property owners used it as a personal bar to drown their sorrows after long days of clearing the abandoned resort of valuables. Then they just never bothered to cleaned up the empty bottles.
Hank Lawson I know this is from a year ago, but that stuff doesnt tend to go bad, And we know people broke in before so there's very well a chance young teens were coming in and drinking it
What an amazing place! Sadly, this exemplifies one of the more bewildering and defining characteristics of our society...which is that we have a prevalent tendency to cast aside anything that isn't new. If you stop and think about it for a minute, what that says about us is NOT complimentary.
Within the last day or so I have stumbled across your channel. Interesting, so far. On this it would be interesting to take a time machine & go back in time to see what places like this was like in their hey days. On one or more of your other videos I have stated that I'm surprised that people haven't come to places like this & fixed them up & give them a new lease on life, whether it is as a home for someone or homeless people, etc. Thank you for these videos & be careful out there, Mr. Bell. Keep up the good work.
oh yay another late night video. I shouldn't watch it this late being that I will think about it all night, but lets live life- its a Friday! Thanks for the video Dan, you really put effort into making it an amazing experience for all to enjoy, and really feels like im there too making the experience very realistic. Thanks again, *I truly love your videos.*
Honeymooned there September 9th, 1967.....it was great. And yes, still married and celebrating our 49th!
Very nice. :)
Roger Hughes, Sr Congrats!
Roger Hughes, Sr ~ Aw, Congratulations! My parents were married in October of 1967 & are still together! Twas a great year♡
Congratulations on a long and successful marriage.
Thanks....getting ready for our 50th....been a great ride!
We honeymooned there in October 1977 and it was such a beautiful well kept resort. I remember very well the shooting range, candle dipping, bowling lane, roller-skating and all the fun activities. I don't remember the indoor pool. The staff was amazing and the food was spectacular. I certain the video of the first cottage was the one we stayed at on the "lake", we had a canyon ride on an old plane flown by a very old man - the glider was not running that week. The Red Baron den was great. We did go back in the 90s for our anniversary and found it again to be absolute,y wonderful. I can hardly believe someone hasn't bought up this treasure and made a viable business.
Thanks for the great video - we are Canadians and done recall any other Canadians there at the time.
I have never had the pleasure of staying there but I like to listen to the stories I'm sure that it makes you sad to see it in this condition since you had such great memories there I wish I could have stayed there as well
You're so lucky to have visited there 😍
It's just so great hearing people's Precious Memories. It does look like it would have been a really fun place.
Judy, I still have the candles my wife and I dipped. I remember dipping them everyday. We meet a Canadian couple from Montreal and wrote to each other for a few years. What a great place it once was.
It guess resorts are dying by all these great reviews
We were at Birchwood for our honeymoon June 6 1976. Still together after 45 years and living in Florida. It was sad watching the video to see what happened to the resort. I still have a glass from the Red Baron Den.
Your sensitivity to, and appreciation of your subject as more than just an abandoned place lends a feeling to each of your videos that I find lacking in most others in the genre. Your camera sees the present, but your careful framing and editing evokes the past as a palpable part of the story. I very much enjoy the fact that you allow your subject to be the "star" of the piece instead of trying to be centre stage yourself. These motel pieces especially seem to convey a sense of empathy and sadness at the passing of an era. Thank you again for your sublime artistry.
After that comment , I have no words. Beautiful
Well Said!
My husband & I are 70 & we remember these kind of places! It truly is a "Bye-Gone Era"!
Wonderful summary
Damn I love TH-cam!
Dan is the man!
My wife and I stayed there for our honeymoon in August of 1999. Place was awesome, we never had to leave resort, they had everything you could ever want or need to do. I remember doing kareoke at that night club. Well it's sad this place ended up like this. My wife and I been married 22 years now still going strong.
Stayed there for our honeymoon in 1991; visited the abandoned resort for our 29th anniversary! We loved that place.
I was conceived here in June of 1978, my parents were here for a weekend get away. It wasn't a honeymoon as they were already married for three years by that time. Shortly after I was born my family moved to Vancouver Canada so I never saw this place... till now. Still sad to see it abandoned.
Lolol nice
Great story......
I wasn't expecting that opening line! 😂
My parents honeymooned here in Aug 1974. I lost my mother in 2012 to cancer and thought that maybe taking a trip here with my husband would be a neat way to honor her memory. Until I google researched, I had no idea it was shuttered. I've since learned about and joined an urbex FB group dedicated to abandoned places in PA. It was there I found some pics of the place in it's current state. it amazes me how little changed from 74 to 2006 when it closed for good. I have compared current day pics (and now video thanks to you) with my parents honeymoon photo memories. Thank you so much for uploading this!
While we were watching youtube for different resorts this popped up! It was amazing. We spent our honeymoon here in July 1982. Sorry to see what happened to it. I checked out some of our photos and we could see the resemblance. It was definitely weird!! I would be glad to send you some of the photos if you are interested. Thanks for checking the place out!! Thought about looking into going back for a special anniversary but looks like that won't happen!!
love how this dude always puts that old music on.
Ambiance
I love it, it’s creepy af
@@JoshSmith-xd5fl Creepy, but also nostalgic. It was once a vibrant place of joyful bustle, now abandoned, and all that's left are echoes.
Birchwood was amazing back in the day went a couple of times a year from 1978 - 1999. So sad to see it this way but thank you for bringing back great memories. The buildings and grounds were beautiful and always maintained. We use to go flying in and out of the Airpark when my Brother in law flew in to stay in the Chalet next to ours on the lake. The food was excellent as was the entertainment in the Red Baron Den... Such good times
I might of waited on you in the dinning room! 77-81 off and on! We had a good time working there and the guest joined right in! I always say happy workers mean happy guest!
OK so, picking up on the article and googling a little further, the owner of Birchwood was Wally Hoffman. He was a former US Airforce flyer (perhaps explaining the nightclub's theme) who went on to join PanAm as a pilot - while he was working the day job he built up the resort on the side with his wife. He also built the nearby airstrip...
My guess would be that when he passed away, the resort went with him. Given the facilities and location it's amazing that it wasn't picked up by another company. Isn't it strange how many things die with their creators?
Pete Stean my mother and father was good friends with him. My dad and mom lives in a house by the airstrip
Wally lost the resort to the bank. I worked there in the 90's just after the bank was running it. From what I remember he used a lot of the profits to finance Pocono Airlines.
Pete , I spoke to Wally in 2016 , he was living in Florida (next to a small airport) with his second wife Gail. His wife from the Birchwood days was Carol.
Wow! How interesting to know the history of the old place, yes very sad when these places basically die with their makers, I bet it was stunning in its day and peaceful. As in my other comment it is like the Dirty Dancing camp by the lake where Baby went to visit Patrick Swayze in his stilted chalet and the Thunderbird outside! Thanks for posting this interesting piece.
@carolinewaite7185 you could tell by the furniture etc that a lot of love care and attention went into that place. It is easy to see even from this footage that Mr. Wally didn't spare any expense. Even more impressive is that ice bucket junkies haven't ravaged the copper from this amazing property. I would bet the original proprietor keeps undesirables away in the after life. So sad the big business, maximized profits & of the like conglomerates have sucked the life out of heart and soul small business owners of yesterday.
great video Dan!!! my wife and I used to go to Birchwood for many years with our friends .we used to go in January ,for about 8 years in a row,starting in 1989.we always had a great time,especially if it snowed.we would go snowmobile riding,skiing,ice skating,and just hang out drink and have a good all time.we would go in the pool,shoot baskets,bowl,archery,shoot guns,and ofcourse head to the Red baron lounge.my buddy proposed to his girlfriend in that lounge...pretty cool...they had a entertainmet director,named Chip.what a funny guy he was,made everyone laugh and have a good time.the food there was very good,and plenty of it.the breakfeast was fit for a king,everything you can imagine.we have photos of us taken in the dining area in front of the fireplace,every year we went.back then it cost around $500 for the weekend,evrything included.it makes me sad to see the condition of Birchwood,i spotted many seats and area's that we sat and had fun in.i used to fish in both lakes there with plenty of bass and pickerel to be had..oh well,thanks for taking the time to take this video!!! don jrdvl@aol.com
Thanks for a great video. My wife and I stayed there for a honeymoon in February 1993. Now we live in the Poconos and she drove by during the search period. She stopped to look at it and said she felt like she was being watched so she left. Later she told me they should search there but like others thought it was too far to find Frein.
+Tommy Gannon That is WAY creepy.
Tommy Gannon and... where is she now? Lol
Thank God that she followed her feelings & left when she did. I never go against those 'feelings'. It's like a 6th sence or a guardian angel is wrong you of danger. I'm glad she is alright.
I can't believe they didn't have a bigger search grid ! Never underestimate your enemy!! I spent 14 yrs in the Army.
@@ThisisDanBell Glad you are alright ! Love your videos. Couldn't get off the floor from laughing watching the crap motels esp the one in Maryland....FUNNY!!!
not joking when i say i watch your poconos videos over and over again
Dan, what is fascinating to me is that each inanimate object, a telephone, chair, desk, bottle, etc a human being sat or stood there for one final moment and then walked away never to return. Life is all about what we leave behind once we are done
Honeymooned here from March 1-8, 1969. It was a beautiful cabin with canopy bed and fireplace on the lake. Remember candle dipping, bowling, horse back riding, airplane ride and the rustic dining room. So sad what happened to it!
My Wife and I spent a weekend here ,oh maybe 25 years ago (we are still married 31 years now ) It was great ! We went for an airplane ride they offered to view the Water Gap I took pictures with my 35mm , Loved the in room pool/sauna ,ate all meals ,good food from what I remembered, we used all the amenities ,pool ,tennis etc...great memory always wanted to go but never got the chance,its sad its gone ! Just more reminders that life goes on....
what would be awesome is to see people's old photos from this resort.
Even if the killer was there, i sincerely doubt you would have seen him. he was there to hide, the last thing he'd want is a confrontation.
I do love these old resorts though, its a shame they don't open them up as time capsules, i think a 70s themed retro resort might be quite popular. But the beginning of cheap air flights from the 90s really choked these places.
+Larry Bundy Jr If this place reopened, I would go whenever I could.
I would go! If they kept it 70's themed! They need a disco ball and open that shit back up haha
This is Dan Bell. Me too!!
+Larry Bundy Jr I see your comments on a lot of channels I watch.
If he did run into the killer though he most definitely would’ve been taken hostage or killed. His cover would’ve been blown
My fiancé and I looked at this place for our honeymoon in 1974. We ended up going to Penn Hills. This brought back good memories! Thank you Dan!
that damaged, vintage organ created such an amazingly eerie effect for the video; always amazing use of timing and audio in your videos.
Dan, I've been binging on your videos for a month or so now. I want you to know that I really appreciate the fact that when I watch them, I don't get sick to my stomach. I suffer from motion sickness and other people don't know how to hold the camera still so I can enjoy the tour. This one was one of my favorites!
this is sooo bizzare... It's like all the occupants of the building had to get up and leave at a moments notice. There are still drinks on the bar, Basketballs on the court floor, papers on the shelves and desks, perfectly good furniture, ETC. Nobody even cleaned anything it's like everyone just vanished in the blink of an eye
It's a shame they didn't bother trying to sell all this amazing looking furniture!
beiderbecke1927 That's actually a really good point. I never thought of it that way!
+Max Moser (aMAXproduction) Another reason for not selling is that oftentimes they can do better taking the losses as a tax write-off. I worked for an engineering firm that would routinely throw away expensive outdated equipment for just that reason.
+Max Moser (aMAXproduction) I bet the 70's and 80's were better then today
That first couch didn't have one speck of dirt on it.
love those red chairs
My Ex-wife and I stayed at Birchwood twice. The second two storied cabin you entered was the first cabin we stayed in. That was a great resort. I fished all three "lakes" on the property and had some amazing catches. I am sad to see Birchwood in that condition..... We have a lot of great memories from there. I hear that the new property owners are going to build a water park on the resort.
I wonder where the security guard was while the killer was wandering around?? Maybe they were playing gin rummy together? lol
I’m guessing they hired the security guard after the killer had been found on property - the news coverage would have raised interest in people going there to check it out. It had probably been fairly under the radar before then.
You are so funny! I did security guard jobs for years & I cringe at the dangerous crap I did for barely any pay. The so called 'wonderful husband' (we met while togather at a security job) was in charge of putting guards at different places. He put me in a can making place I found out latter the cops refused to work there & if 'male' guards worked there they carried 357 mag hand guns, I had NO weapon.
You had to call the cops when you went on a round, then had examount of time to do your rounds then had to call & say you were back & ok. This was before cell phones.
Only once I didn't call & the cops came flying down the road. I'd kept a guy in a truck talking, he was trying to steel big rolls of aluminum, I pretended that I thought he worked there, I knew the cops would show up. The guy chilled & the cops took him away but it could have gone another way. After that I told hubby if I'm not armed you can get someone else.
At 6 flags store outlets in Jackson, New Jersey the crap guard company would only have 1 guard on from 10 PM to 6 AM. You drive around in a patrol car & the girl on before me would keep her cell phone charged up & I'd have no raideo cause I'd have to put it on charge cause the girl who was sleeping with the boss got away with murder. I would have been fired if I hadn't charged the raideo. I didn't have the money for a cell phone, that went to rent & stuff.
I'd bring my big dog with me, we'd ride & walk around & I knew alot of police who were really nice & protective. I stopped a store robbery from around the cornor where I'd get coffee, ha, ha. They don't rob an outlet store they try to rob a little store. I wasn't armed on that job eighter.
I quit that job when they said I could no longer have my dog with me. Have to laugh cause not a week latter the place got robbed big time. I guess the 'chick' was guarding her boss & not the stores.
When you look back, think of the stuff we did 'back when' that today there'd be no way. The 2 guys that tried to rob the coffee shop place had a gun but was close to me, Army training ect. came in handy, Jr. left by ambulance. I give the credit to God who sure has watched over me though alot of stupid low pay jobs.
I got stopped by the cops once for having a rubber hand sticking out of the trunk. A rookie cop got all happy & started shooting orders, the seaoned officer knew me & knew it was a fake hand & he made the rookie cop opened the trunk, the guy did & almost fainted when the hand hit the ground. That was so funny. Well, sorry for ANOTHER long comment. Just thought I'd stop by & say "hi".😁
Maybe there wasn't a guard there at the time Jr. was wondering around. Maybe the guard saw the guy & was smart enough to warn the police that he was there.
Maybe that guy would have killed the guard if confronted, who knows. If I'd have seen him & known who it was I'd of stayed low & tried to keep an eye on him while calling the cops if I had a working cell phone. No need to play 'hero' no matter what the pay.
Like I shouldn't have stopped that store robbery but I was really angry at once again not having a working raideo.
I was wondering the same. Or was he hired after.
Honeymooners there in May of 1982. Great times! The Red Barron Den was our favorite evening hangout. We'll be married 42 years this coming May.
I was there for my honeymoon in 1967 , it was owned by a Pan Am 747 pilot and his wife. You could go to the onsite airport for a airplane ride over the area , the pilot was a former World War II German pilot. My wife and I stayed in one of the two story chalets over looking the lake. They had a bathtub so big that you started running the water while you were at dinner. All the guests were newlyweds so we would meet in the gym and the program director let us know what was going on that day. We also got to meet the other couples. It was a great place back then and a great beginning of a married life.
As a teen in the 80s I always heard about the Poconos, but never visited. At 2:34 you've just shown a lovely pool (if cleaned) and the cabins are STUNNING!!! I didn't get a honeymoon when I got married so I always dream of cute honeymoons. I would love to stay in little cabins like what you are showing at 2:34! So cute. I too have been obsessed with old motels and the husband hated how I always wanted to stay in one. LOL. So glad I just found your channel about an hour ago!!! So glad you appreciate the old motels and old cute places too! Maybe they'll get loved again and fixed up and stayed in and appreciated and enjoyed again! I can hope :)
This is amazing. It's great to see a old abandoned place that vandals have not trashed. You can really imagine what it was like when it was lively and full of people.
An old* grammar people. Grammar.
I love the security guards little note - it's almost like he's talking to himself / his paranoia, the overlook hotel style ;)
I love this old American Motels. This is absolutely one of your best. The intro with the music was great.
+Johannes Jansen Thanks, Johannes!
Dan! I must must say! The music you implement into your videos really accentuates, what I like to say is nostalgia for a place and time I never knew. It really creates a very sad, and pitiful mood, that just is so perfect. Thank you for such great work!
Reminds me of Dirty Dancing! When the owner said “It seems to be all coming to an end! Kids want trips to Europe!” This is probably what his resort looked like after foxtrot lessons weren’t in vogue anymore.
What a great place back in the day. I can just see myself in one of those little cabins, enjoying a cold one with a good book, out on the little balcony, listening to nature by the lake. And yes, Dan, I have to agree, the vintage pub downstairs was my favorite. Great video, thanks for sharing and stay safe.
Never been there, but if I had I would never had wanted to leave! OMG! Watching this tour I had a terrible urge to want to straighten up all the tipped over furniture and begin dusting and cleaning up the place. Have no idea why it had that affect on me, weird! What a beautiful resort! Thanks for another great tour!
This place is wonderful. I don’t know why people nowadays prefer to dump money into expensive vacations. It’s just about you and your partner. Definitely would of loved to stay somewhere like this in its hayday.
This was once a nice resort. Now it is only a place of memory's and forgotten pass. The bar was so cool.
you're videos are magical to watch. hey give off a feeling that i can't explain. I feel like this place was once beautiful and full of life, but seeing it this way is so interesting to. Thanks Dan. I cannot and will not stop watching these vids.
I live in the area an have been thru all the abandoned resorts it’s pretty cool to see someone else enjoying going thru it my parents and grandparents worked at some of the different resorts in the area and the story’s they’ve told me of how nice it was it’s a shame to see it in ruins or demolished like buck hill
As far as favorite videos this one and the dead hotel with the heart shaped tubs are my favorite ones. Keep them coming, I absolutely love these!
I LOVE the knotty pine walls around the indoor pool. Abandoned pools always creep me out.
Hi, Dan. I will honestly say that you are hands down the best explorational channel on TH-cam. I am subscribed to many others, but looking forward to your newest adventure videos is like winning the biggest lottery in the world. With the kind of entertainment you provide, there is no need for Vegas or the Power Ball! - Alex :-)
I'm loving this dead motel series. So creepy but so interesting.
Please don't get yourself killed, I really love your videos! ;) Seriously, I always think about things like that and it is a very scary fact that someone could be hiding out in one of these properties. Be Careful Please!
+Sarah Black I will try very hard not to get killed. Thank you, Sarah!
+This is Dan Bell. Bring a taser it's legal and you won't be charged like if you would have a knife with you for defense, a buddy of mine got arrested with me urban exploring because he had a switchblade for defense and switchblades are illegal in Massachusetts, All the cops did was just give me a warning for trespassing and left me there...
Yeah, We were tresspassing in an abandoned air tower at south weymouth nas, suprising i wasn't arrested.... BuyTheTicket TakeTheRide
Wow, Sara. You just don't want him killed because you'll miss his videos? (;
+sprdvx 😉😉😉😉
Yeah I think that carpet was probably definitely very late 80s early 90s for sure. :) Thank you for another awesome video. 😊
I’m now hooked on Dead Motel Series.
That nightclub, Red-Baron! A real time trashure! , all near untouched! , amazing exploration! A real juwel ! Thx allot , & your work , that cool videos & the historys with this calm voice! ONLY exzellent ! & nice gr. from Vienna ! Thx for all & stay save Mr.Dan 👍🏼✌🏼
Bringing this up to modern codes would probably be impossible. That Red Baron Den looks like the coolest firetrap of all time.
My claustrophobia was triggered!
what is cool is that this resort is still intact and power is still on i hope this opens up again
Awesome video! Thank you for taking the time to make it.
I love love your videos, it is almost physically painful to see the vandalism and destruction in what where lovely structures. Glad to hear you are not alone when filming. Keep up the good work.
These cabins looks really cozy to be fair
This is amazing! I stayed at Birchwood probably 10 times from 1988 to 1990 with my girlfriend. It was a beautiful place and couples only. The first cabin you went into was called the "Plymouth Chalet". The resort was pretty much all inclusive, so there really was no reason to leave. There was a nominal fee for bowling and the shooting range, lunch was not included and you had to pay for drinks. I even remember the managers name, Aldo. If memory serves the property is owned by the same group that owns Spa Castle in Whitestone, Queens, NY and had planned on opening a Spa Castle on the old Birchwood location, I guess that never got off the ground. Thanks for posting this, brings back a flood of memories, I have driven by the property over the years and was always curious, as to what the insides of the buildings look like today. Now I know.
I went there with my wife in the early 70,s. The price included food, cottage and all the property had to offer. The bar was extra. I wasn't on my honeymoon and I remember their wasn't many people around. I believe most stayed in the cottages. (you can figure out why ! ! 😏
Fantastic work Dan! It's nice to see a place that isn't completely tagged up and destroyed by vandals. what a beautiful place, the nightclub was incredible
+Amanda Allen I LOVE the nightclub! Thanks, Amanda!
Parents honeymooned there in 1977. Pictures of the exact room you went in. They talk of it all the time. they returned in the 90's when I was just a boy. since then I guess it closed.
Is Julie-Anne Sleep your mom? That lady commented here and told a very similar story.
Dan is such a master at his craft. These videos are becoming a weekly ritual for me
+wdfmidevil Thanks!
My mom and aunt actually took me here a few years back. They told me about how they used to vacation here all the time before me and my brother were born. I've been back a few times just to drive past and snap a few photos. Does anyone know if the security guy is still there? I'll be going back soon and would love to get some pictures of the grounds. This video really shows the beauty of the land and the buildings.
Filming, angles, colours, sound, music, commentary and location always make your films awesome. Love from the UK.
dan this is deff one of my favs! love this place!!!!!!!!!
+Exploring With Josh Thanks, Josh!
I really liked this video. I live very close! I like that you're not like many other urbex youtubers that keep saying "omg dude this is so creepy" repeatedly in their videos. So refreshing.
I wonder where the security guard was. So they actually keep the electricity on in this old, falling apart building and pay someone to sit in the creepy, dirty, dusty, deteriorating building to keep vandals out? Why? The property owner is just letting what was once a beautiful resort waste away. Why bother wasting electricity and hiring someone to guard it?
Bank owned so they don't care! I use to work there!
He's at 7:22 up in the right side doorway with his flashlight. Maybe watching Dan Bell, or is that Will? I'm not sure, but I was thinking it was security looking for vandals/looters.
why did it close down in the first place and if the bank owns it, is it for sale?? any idea how much?
it has been bought $4,500,000 and the new people are talking about a new spa resort with water parks.....
@@miiimiii.sssonggg wow, good catch
I enjoy it more when you give a bit of time history, like when the place opened and closed....Thanks for sharing.
you're right about the vintage bar - cool n' creepy!
This is definitely restoration worthy. I really hope they don't let it rot away.
My grandmother worked there In the late 70's/ early 80's .
Thanks for the great video's Dan. My wife and I honeymooned near there in a place right on Rt. 80. It became another hotel. It had heart shaped beds, but the sheets weren't heart shaped. There were ants in the room. The dinner's were served cruise style. You ate with a bunch of guests each night. It was a pretty good experience. Its a shame those places are gone. God Bless!
Your intro's are exquisitely done.
The design of this one is more like a hunting lodge, or den of the 70s. Our family room in our house built in the early 80s has the exact same brick. I really love this one!!
Just beautiful Dan, you give me such joy with your excellent videos.
I live in the Scranton area; my husband works in the Poconos. I was so incredibly freaked out when they were looking for Frein. The search was constantly on the news. When he was caught, I was soooooo curious about this resort. You're the best Dan 👌
that hotel could be totally saved and reopened
+Tony Thatcher The buildings were pretty solid.
+Tony Thatcher So I looked this place up online. Apparently the property was bought in 2008 and they want to create a spa resort with a waterpark, a condo development, and "meeting rooms". They 1st proposed something in 2010 before the Frein incident, but the residents protested that it was too large. They just proposed the above plan in 6/2015, people still think it's too large. They like the small town feel of the area. But that explains the security on site.
SmilinSweetpea seriously? People were paying to stay here up to 2008?! That place is a time warp! Nasty! No wonder they closed down...ewwww
+Kirsten Phillips No, apparently the place closed in 2001--I always try to figure out how long these places have been derelict-I'm weird like that -(even then it looks like it was pretty dated), but the property was purchased in 2008. I'd post links to where I got my info, but I'm not sure if that's allowed here. Google Birchwoord resort Poconos (because apparently there's an open resort by the same name in MI), and you should find a video/news blurb on it pretty easily, but the dates I got from other sources courtesy of Google.
Ahh let it decay,we love decay!
My wife and I instead of going to the Jersey shore for a week in 1985 decided to go to Mount Airy for a week, We had a wonderful time . It was so beautiful , Its a shame ,
Another GREAT one Dan. Thank you so much for the thrills and chills walking through these places with you in cyber spirit. Please always be careful ok?
The bit where he plays the old organ reminds me of the film Carnaval of Lost Souls xxxStay Safe xxx
Keep narrating over parts of the videos like you have been. I like the anecdotes and supplemental info!
This is my favorite Dan bell episode of all time...
Another awesome interesting video. Stay safe, keep up the good work and keep 'em coming!
Beautiful! So much more character than the stuff they build today. Would have loved to stay here, though I'm not much into romance or honeymoons! Loved the rifle range, target shooting is my favorite sport! Thanks for a great tour.
I was into romance and honeymoon when I stayed there in 1967. And it was idyllic
That was amazing Dan! Some areas look nearly pristine. Would love to see the place restored. Such a shame that such a time capsule, as you called it, is just left to crumble.
Another good one! Thanks for the great video's Dan Bell.
+Plan B Thanks!
I loves this Dan. Keep up the good work!!!
2:17 That little pond is EXACTLY the view I would like outside of a tiny/simple cottage to rent. So beautiful! Ever since I first found this video of yours, I can't stop thinking about how cute it was. I wouldn't like the huge, bustling parts of it at the pool, etc-but to rent a quiet cottage and just look at that pond. That's all I need. Thanks again for uploading this. (Sad yet lovely!)
Guys like Frein would be pretty hesitant to kill if they were already being hounded. Another murder wouldn't help their odds of being paroled. If anything they'd just tie you to a chair and find another hiding spot.
The only reason he killed those cops was because one of them supposedly beat his sister-in-law or something.
So much orange, lol! At least this one mixed in some blue instead of the usual brown and green. Another spectacular video from the Poconos, lost honeymoon capital of the Keystone state! Thanks Dan! :)
When I watch these videos I always think that furniture would like nice in my apartment and they're just throwing it away. But, his videos are entertaining.
Thanks for the video.. it was a trip down memory lane for me . I’d love to pop in and explore if I was in the area. I worked at Birchwood in like 2001(2?) . I left Florida to work season in Alaska but we were stopping off in the Poconos for a couple of months . Well we ended up staying in dIfferent areas in PA for like 4 years . I was a server in the dining room . That area where the gross pan was ..was where Mrs Shirley cooked breakfast .. they had the yummiest Pecan Belgian waffles . Honestly the place was dated when i worked there but still maintained & operating well enough. I actually lived in a neighborhood next to it, I’d cut through the clay shooting range & the woods to get home. It is a beautiful piece of land . Sometimes I’d drive in with the dining manager Ingrid instead of walking and that long road in always had deer on it .
THANK YOU DAN BELL
Your videos are AWESOME, I think that it's so cool to see these places, thanks to you. You make great videos, and your voice is soothing like Morgan Freeman. Please keep doing what you're doing!
+The Viceroy Of Douchebagistan Thank you so much!
So sad it is closed.. Whatt a beautiful place!
You must read this. A Chicago Tribune article about Birchwood from 1970! archives.chicagotribune.com/1970/10/11/page/166/article/cute-and-coy-2#text
+This is Dan Bell. Please go to and film Dan River/Schoolfield Mills in Danville, VA. One building remaining, multiple floors and mezzanines. Creepy labyrinths, bathrooms and textile machinery. Signs of someone living on the 4th floor of the factory.
+This is Dan Bell. WOW. and you included the paper from 1970 How cool is that.. I love that you try to show before and after pictures/video. But a newspaper?? you got any other old newspaper articles laying around???? Brilliant
+Nathan S. Had a store there for six months. A music store.
+Charlotte Dickson you may be interested to know this, but a lot of old buildings like, from the 50's and the like would sometimes have their walls insulated with newspapers. I went to some wrecked house, now demo'd, and it contained a 1940's article on "Tito" the Yugoslavian president in the walls.
+Ruslan D.R. Some buildings used saw dust as insulation building was built in 1947
Omg, the music... in every single video, I just love it. I love this kind of music and it really makes me enjoy the video more. I'm so happy I found this channel! My favourite channel in this category!
+Blahsheep Thank you so much!
Crap! There were drinks left on the bar...from like the early 80's!!!! Like the people just got up and ran! The bartender didn't even clean up! So bizarre!!! Thanks Dan...now I'm gonna have nightmares about this place!
+Kirsten Phillips It is strange since everything else would have still been in operation. Did they really just say, "Eh, why clean up? No one will know!"
+Kirsten Phillips Maybe in the days or weeks after it closed, the property owners used it as a personal bar to drown their sorrows after long days of clearing the abandoned resort of valuables. Then they just never bothered to cleaned up the empty bottles.
Actually, after re-watching that part, I noticed that some of those bottles don't appear to be empty. It really is very bizarre
Hank Lawson I hope so
Hank Lawson I know this is from a year ago, but that stuff doesnt tend to go bad, And we know people broke in before so there's very well a chance young teens were coming in and drinking it
Incredible video.. As always.
What an amazing place! Sadly, this exemplifies one of the more bewildering and defining characteristics of our society...which is that we have a prevalent tendency to cast aside anything that isn't new. If you stop and think about it for a minute, what that says about us is NOT complimentary.
WOW! that Hotel Must bean Super Romantic back in the Days!
It was
Within the last day or so I have stumbled across your channel. Interesting, so far. On this it would be interesting to take a time machine & go back in time to see what places like this was like in their hey days. On one or more of your other videos I have stated that I'm surprised that people haven't come to places like this & fixed them up & give them a new lease on life, whether it is as a home for someone or homeless people, etc. Thank you for these videos & be careful out there, Mr. Bell. Keep up the good work.
Definitely late 80s to early 90s as we inherited the matching curtains to that wall paper!!! 😨
oh yay another late night video. I shouldn't watch it this late being that I will think about it all night, but lets live life- its a Friday! Thanks for the video Dan, you really put effort into making it an amazing experience for all to enjoy, and really feels like im there too making the experience very realistic. Thanks again, *I truly love your videos.*
+Steven Kokko Thanks, Steven!