Abandoned and beyond Buffalo, NY

12/09/2024

An old farmhouse once bustling with the lives of over 15 migrant farm workers. From the traces left behind, it’s clear these men lived and worked under strenuous conditions. The quarters were meager —weathered bibles, a couple of radios tuned to country stations, and battered fans that lost the fight with the southern summer heat. Signs of their abrupt departure remain, as if they had to leave suddenly and without warning, leaving their belongings as silent witnesses to their stories.

It makes you wonder about their employer—was something hidden beneath the surface of this quiet farm? Whatever the case, these men lived lives of unrelenting labor, far from their families, in a situation few would envy. It’s a sobering reminder of the unseen sacrifices behind the food on our tables. 🌽 🍎🥕

12/07/2024

Welcome to part 1 of this 2-part series! Wandering through the downstairs of this two-story abandoned rural gem felt like stepping into a secret, long-forgotten chapter of someone’s life. The kitchen still whispered of vinyl-clad afternoons, while the sunroom hummed a faint Patsy Cline tune through its peeling wallpaper. Every corner was a tableau of quirky charm: mismatched teacups on sagging shelves, a threadbare armchair poised like it was waiting for its next storyteller. Each room was a delightful tease, pulling me further into its sepia-toned mystery. I couldn’t wait to see what treasures behind the next door might reveal!💛❤️🧡

12/07/2024

Tomorrow, join me as we step into Granny’s kitchen and homestead —a mesmerizing time capsule. From rare vintage treasures to retro heirlooms that echo lives once lived, every corner hums with forgotten pastimes and untold memories. Prepare to uncover the extraordinarily well loved home. Don’t miss it!🧡💛🧡

12/06/2024

Let’s take a ride back in time… who remembers these charming old trolleys? There’s something so timeless about their design—the clanging bell, polished wood, and open windows inviting a breeze as they glided through the streets. I’d love to call one of these beauties my own someday. It’s bittersweet, though—seeing trolley tours in other cities makes me wonder why we ever let them disappear here. Imagine how they could breathe life back into our streets, connecting neighborhoods in such a nostalgic and eco-friendly way. Here’s to dreaming of a comeback for these rolling pieces of history!

12/05/2024

Tomorrow’s adventure promises a showdown between our big plans and Mother Nature’s wild tricks. We’re geared up to brave the chill, fueled by sheer determination to explore some long awaited, abandoned places. Get those heated blankets ready, stay cozy, and stay safe, Buffalo. As for us, the abandoned destination list awaits. For now enjoy a sneak peek at tomorrow mornings
post. Good night, stay safe, Queen City. 🩶🦬🌙

12/04/2024

Good evening, friends! Tonight, I’m whisking us back to this exact time last year—a weekend of quiet wonder tucked into the heart of downtown Pittsburgh. We stayed at the timeless Omni William Penn Hotel, a place that feels steeped in stories waiting to be discovered. The mornings began early, before the city fully stretched awake. I shuffled into the lobby, still half-dreaming, and ordered the boldest, richest Americano they could brew. Armed with caffeine and curiosity, we set out.

Of all the sights that weekend, this abandoned church etched itself into my memory most vividly. Perhaps it was the way the first light of day crept through its ancient windows, painting the space in golden melancholy. Maybe it was the architecture itself, steadfast and proud, battling time’s slow decay. Or perhaps it was how everything inside felt so perfectly preserved, as if the world outside had agreed to leave it to leave it be. It was all of these things, I think—a moment suspended in serene contrast to the city’s hum. I can still feel that fleeting calm underneath my ever curious soul like finding a sanctuary exactly when you need it most.

11/28/2024

Wow, what a journey this has been! I started this page during the pandemic as a personal space to document my adventures—a little collection of memories and photos to look back on one day. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine it would grow into this incredible community! As we near 100,000 followers, I’m honestly blown away. Your support, kindness, and enthusiasm for the photos and stories I share mean the world to me. Thank you for being such an amazing part of this journey—I’m so grateful for each and every one of you! Happy thanksgiving BUFFALO!!!🦬

11/26/2024

I wish I could unveil the full story of this abandoned funeral home, but the truth is, the trail is fragmented, riddled with loose ends and whispers of the eccentric man who once called this place his kingdom. Here’s what I do know: he was a father to many—6 daughters and five sons from several relationships—and an avid collector of peculiar treasures. His collection ranged from innocuous, childlike toys to items that belonged in a bo***ir, not a mortuary. His youngest son, destined to inherit the family business, studied mortuary science, but something fractured after the patriarch succumbed to pancreatic cancer in 2012. The son reportedly distanced himself from the home, leaving it in the hands of his mother—perhaps an ex-wife, though even that detail is murky. Her portrait still lingers, faded yet defiant, hanging above the old leather chair in his office, as if watching over the ruin he left behind.

We entered cautiously, cameras in hand, but the building seemed to breathe with a life—or a death—of its own. At first, it was subtle: a faint tension in the air, like standing on the threshold of something forbidden. Neither of us wanted to break the spell by voicing it aloud, so we pressed on in silence. Twenty minutes in, that unspoken unease thickened into something far darker. The hallway toys—those mocking, singing playthings—sprang to life as though daring us to retreat. The low-battery chirp of a smoke detector sliced through the silence like an unholy metronome. And then, we found the garage.

The hearse stood there, its paint dull and ghostly under a film of dust, its windows dark as unblinking eyes. On impulse, I opened it. The air that spilled out carried a stench so foul, so primal, it was as if the car had been anointed with death itself. It clung to the nostrils, a visceral reminder of mortality. It brought to mind Eliot’s famous words: “This is the way the world ends—not with a bang but a whimper.”

I can’t say for sure what pushed us over the edge, whether it was the toys, the intimate artifacts, or the omnipresent sense of being watched. But every instinct screamed for flight, and we didn’t argue. Some places are meant to be left to their ghosts.

11/26/2024

Hours of research have led me here: a creepy, abandoned funeral home with secrets waiting to be uncovered. In the garage, amongst many other items and vehicles- I found this hearse, its presence heavy with untold stories. Stay tuned tonight as I dive deeper into this mysterious place. Trust me, it’ll be worth the wait 🙏🏻

11/25/2024

Thanks for being a top engager and making it on to my weekly engagement list! Some of my favorite people made the cut!🙏🏻🤩

Amanda Dolber, Janet Binette, Lucille Krupa, Beth Hyzy-Snyder, Luke Tarquin, Karenann Berroth, Gin Collier, Jeff Gravelle, Gloria Leising, Chad Yerkovich

11/25/2024

In 2017, I captured photos of the eerie remains of the Wurtz Funeral Home in the Town of Boston, a site with a tangled and troubling history. Once operated by Elizabeth Wurtz, the funeral home was shut down in 2011 after regulators discovered it was being run without a license. Shockingly, Wurtz continued conducting funerals illegally for nearly five more years.

The story took an even darker turn when she allegedly vanished with $49,000 in advance payments meant for funeral services, leaving grieving families to discover their funds were gone. Suspicion grew as the property fell into disrepair, with overgrown grass and crumbling conditions signaling its abandonment.

This once-respected establishment now stands as a symbol of broken trust and unanswered questions, frozen in time since its closure in 2016.

🪦 Note these photos are old- this property is now owned by someone else

11/25/2024

Tomorrow, I’ll be sharing a closer look inside this creepy yet fascinating abandoned funeral home. From strange personal items to vintage equipment, the place feels preserved in an unsettling stillness—and the atmosphere is undeniably eerie. Stay tuned, and goodnight, friends!

11/24/2024

Hidden in the quiet folds of the countryside, this abandoned church feels like a forgotten time capsule. Though history seems to have bypassed it—there’s little documentation to uncover its story—the space speaks volumes on its own. The last calendar date, frozen in July 2001, hints at when its congregation might have bid farewell.

When I arrived, I found the back door wide open, as if the church itself was inviting me in to explore its secrets. Inside, the old organ still stands, an ornate sentinel of melodies long silenced. Its craftsmanship, though dusty, is breathtaking, a reminder of when music filled these walls. The deep red carpets, now faded and frayed, stretch solemnly across the floor, adding an eerie richness to the emptiness.

I was so absorbed in photographing the details—that it took me a moment to notice the large swarm of wasps hovering ominously above my head. They had claimed the space in the church’s absence of visitors, a reminder of how nature quietly reclaims what we leave behind. It was a haunting yet humbling moment in a place that seemed to whisper stories to anyone willing to listen.

11/24/2024

A look inside 11 raw, unedited minutes of our exploration through an abandoned state hospital—a crumbling monument to human suffering, suspended in decay. The desolate halls left me wondering: do the displaced patients who once lived here still find their way back, seeking solace in its shadows? As we left, we encountered an older man lingering outside the looming structure. He was quietly snapping photos, his expression weighed down by unspoken memories. When I asked if he was okay, he simply nodded and, as we drove away, offered a faint smile and a soft ‘thank you.’ It was a moment that lingered, much like the hospital’s haunting presence.

*** not for the faint of heart

One of the most disturbing places I’ve ever explored. I wonder how many patients were displaced when I closed and how many still use to to lay their heads at...

11/23/2024

Do you remember the deafening sound that echoed across Buffalo on December 27, 1983? A massive propane explosion at the Chimera Radiator Co. on North Division Street rocked the East Side, claiming seven lives—including five Buffalo firefighters—injuring 70, and devastating three dozen homes in a four-block radius.

Buffalo News reporters called it ‘one of the most spectacular fires in the city’s history.’ Yet, despite its tragic impact, this event has remained unfamiliar to many, myself included—until today. I’m very interested to hear if anyone has any stories about this horrific incident.

I stumbled across a very well done short documentary on YouTube that sheds light on this moment in Buffalo’s history. I’ll drop the link in the comments for anyone interested.

(Photos courtesy of the Buffalo News and Google maps street view)

11/23/2024

I’m diving into editing shots of this incredibly well preserved abandoned rural church. For me the highlight was a rare 19th-century organ, rich with history and craftsmanship. Stay tuned for a glimpse of its timeless beauty!
😇🙏🏻🎹

11/22/2024

Choosing my words carefully-

One of my favorites from the first asylum designed specifically to house POC. This state institution wasn’t just another facility—it became a tool for “Slv owners” to continue exerting control over those who sought freedom. Patients were labeled as mentally ill, confined within these walls, and forced to ‘earn their keep’ under the guise of care.