Pennhurst State School

Spring City, PA

As a live-in facility for people with mental and physical disabilities, this complex was built in 1908. Over 10,000 patients passed the school’s doors as it served as an asylum, but unfortunately mistreatment and abuse was common as staff were overworked and funding was limited. Patients were also reportedly isolated for long periods, so long as to cause them to injure themselves to get attention. Underground tunnels connected the buildings at Pennhurst along with tree and greenery lined sidewalks overhead. But inside the brick walls of some of the buildings, the residents’ level of abuse and torture continued. For some, the morgue on the property was the final stop before being buried in the Pennhurst Cemetery.

When the doings at the facility was exposed by the media in 1968, a massive lawsuit resulted. Its facility closed its doors in 1987 and the buildings were abandoned. 

Today the property is believed to be haunted by those who suffered here. Reports indicate inexplicable sounds heard including door slamming, foot steps, and the sound of someone vomiting. When one considers the dark and harrowing past of the institution, it comes as no surprise that today the “Shame of Pennsylvania” has a reputation of being one of the most haunted places in the world.

April 29, 2012
Investigators: Beth Rosen, Matt Rosen & Lisa Shirkey with guests Nick Wendling, Karen Memmolo, Jon Michael & Aaron Wadia

Location Photos: Click to enlarge

Findings:

Mayflower Building, 3rd Floor: Two of our investigators hear someone charging up the stairs with absolutely everyone accounted for. This happened more than once – in fact, other investigators heard the same thing earlier in the night.

September 6, 2015
Investigators: Beth Rosen, Matt Rosen, Travis Spitzer, Lisa Shirkey, Heather Olsen, Steve Waide & Damion Tellier with guests Tammy Spitzer & Jonathan Andrews.

Location Photos: Click to enlarge

Findings:

This was captured on the 3rd floor. All investigators and hosts were accounted for at the time of hearing what sounded like footsteps walking near by.

Grave Concerns Paranormal does not view findings presented on this page as evidence of ghosts or the paranormal. These are merely experiences that we can not explain at this time.