Over the following years the land that was once a town was broken up but the land the bunkers sit on … It's where your interests connect you with your people. The people who lived in the small village of Alvira were all removed from their homes in order to proceed with the … Old town-tomb stones date … Alvira WW2 Bunkers Our goal to travel to an unique new place within our state or close by every weekend took us to a small town called Allenwood, PA this weekend. If so, be sure to like and follow PA Bucket List on Facebook, Instagram, and/or Pinterest to stay up-to-date on my latest write-ups. https://maps.roadtrippers.com/.../points-of-interest/the-bunkers-of-alvira Only after 11 months of operation, the need for TNT was greatly over estimated and the Ordnance was closed.In the 1950’s the land was distributed and the factory torn down, but the TNT bunkers … Abandoned by 1960, the testing bunkers are situated on a remote piece of land that is once again public property, in the form of the Quehanna Wild Area. Follow along as I show you exactly how to get to the abandoned Alvira bunkers, as well as answer some FAQs and show you a few of the sights you’ll encounter there. During World War II the United States feared for their domestic safety after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. The official PA Game Commission map of SGL 252 shows the location of all the bunkers – all that is required of modern explorers is to do the bushwhacking! The interiors of most of the unlocked bunkers are dimly lit by a small hole in the center of the roofs, but I would strongly recommend taking a flashlight along. The residents were … With legal admission at the sole discretion of the property owner, the Windber Trolley Graveyard is a fascinating trip back in time for those lucky enough to secure legal admission to this site. After the land of Alvira was seized, the Susquehana Ordnance Depot was built to manufacture and store explosives. Yes – the remnants of the access roads (now gated and covered with vegetation) serve as trails between the bunkers. Pennsylvania The need for TNT production had been overestimated, and the entire operation ceased 11 months after it began. The Alvira bunkers are a fascinating and relatively easy ruins to explore, but keep in mind this is State Game Lands. Discover Bunkers of Alvira in Allenwood, Pennsylvania: Over 100 concrete munitions bunkers are all that remain of a Pennsylvanian village seized by the US government. And while the residents had been promised that they could buy back their land after the war, that promise was broken. Each bunker held 250,000 pounds of TNT, which had been shipped in in wooden crates. The Millmont Covered Bridge is the longest covered bridge in Union County. Creepy abandoned bunkers. Designed to explode upwards in case of accidental detonation, and spaced far enough apart to prevent a chain-reaction spreading to other bunkers, these concrete igloos, nearly 80 years old now, have fared remarkably well on the inside. The abandoned Alvira bunkers – go see them while you can! Anything you plan or save automagically syncs with the apps, ready for you to hit the road! One of the 149 abandoned Alvira bunkers in Union County. Yes, but again I have not attempted to determine an exact count of how many are locked/unlocked. One of the most interesting features of the depot were the 149 concrete, "igloo-style" bunkers used for stable storage of explosive materials. About 4 miles to the north west of Allenwood PA. Exploring the Abandoned Alvira Bunkers in Union County, official PA Game Commission map of SGL 252, Exploring the Millmont Covered Bridge in Union County, The 5 Spookiest-Sounding Hikes in Pennsylvania, Exploring the Ruins of Kunes Camp in the Quehanna Wild Area, Exploring the Abandoned Nuclear Jet Engine Bunkers in the Quehanna Wild Area, Peer Behind the Locked Gates of the Windber Trolley Graveyard, Exploring Greenwood Furnace State Park in Huntingdon County, Exploring Black Moshannon State Park in Centre County, Exploring the Flight 93 National Memorial in Somerset County. Giant concrete bunkers. They then bulldozed the town and built an explosives factory with many igloo shaped storage bunkers throughout the area. If you visit, you will find them, covered in vines and partially obscured by rust and debris. For urban explorers, there is a different reason to go to this deserted town: the Bunkers of Alvira. Also, dress appropriately because there are postings about ticks. Or in the case of Alvira, wants your ENTIRE TOWN. Each one, 47 feet in diameter, 24 feet high, constructed entirely of concrete. Mar 18, 2017 - Discover Bunkers of Alvira in Allenwood, Pennsylvania: Over 100 concrete munitions bunkers are all that remain of a Pennsylvanian village seized by the US government. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Second – wear long pants and sturdy boots if you want to do more than the very basic roadside explorations. 150 storage bunkers, 17 miles of railroad track, 55 miles of roads, and 300 buildings replaced what was once the town of Alvira. It became Susquehanna Ordnance Depot and included 149 concrete bunkers, where munitions were stored. Jan 15, 2016 - Discover Bunkers of Alvira in Allenwood, Pennsylvania: Over 100 concrete munitions bunkers are all that remain of a Pennsylvanian village seized by the US government. No – although none of the bunkers I’ve personally entered are in pristine condition, the further away you get from Alvira Road, the less vandalized the bunkers generally become. Please stay safe and call ahead to get the latest information. If your really serious about it, you can make a whole day out of it and probably not be bored. Found 4 bunkers, 2 locked, 2 open. On a recent visit (Summer 2020) I was able to find and enter several dozen within a 2 hour time period.Please note – I have never tried to find all the bunkers, or get an exact count of how many are still accessible. Third – take some type of compass or GPS device to keep track of your location, if you plan on exploring the bunkers away from Alvira Road. Bunkers of Alvira. The destination is about 8 mins away from this point. The abandoned nuclear jet engine bunkers in the Quehanna Wild Area are yet another set of ruins with a link to America’s military-industrial complex. You have to go on Mill Rd then Alvira Rd to find them. When the government found that the need for explosives wasn't as great as what was initially thought the explosives factory was closed down. Open for only eleven months, the bomb factory was closed after the gov't realized they had overestimated the amount of explosives necessary, therefore sitting dormant for the last years of WWII. The bunkers built in the woods behind the factory, however, remain, as do two cemeteries from the town and a number of concrete foundations (most of which are accessible directly from the main road into the game lands). NAME: Alvira COUNTY: Union ROADS: 2WD GRID: 2 CLIMATE: Hot Summer and Snow in the Winter BEST TIME TO VISIT: Spring and early fall. Fourth – be respectful of the cemeteries and gravesites you encounter. Alvira Bunker Evidence; After the attack on Pearl Harbor in December of 1941, the United States was determined to ramp up production of necessary war materials, at all costs. Yes – in fact you can literally park right next to several of the bunkers along Alvira Road. © 2020 Rusty Glessner / PA Bucket List. https://pabucketlist.com/exploring-the-abandoned-alvira-bunkers-in-union-county Click on any of the icons below to get connected to PA Bucket List on social media! To this end, in the spring of 1942 the federal government seized the small village of Alvira, Pennsylvania, and after kicking out the populace, razed almost every building in the village to build the Susquehanna … The 2 that were open were very neat, lots of abandoned stuff. They are also a cautionary tale for what can happen to private individuals when the government decides it wants your property. So my first recommendation is to wear a blaze orange hat/vest when hiking here, regardless of the time of year, even if you don’t “think” it’s hunting season. Apr 10, 2016 - The Munitions Bunkers of Alvira, Pennsylvania - Located in state game lands, you will find 149 concrete domed bunkers created by the federal government, as well as overgrown remains of the village of Alvira, Pennsylvania. In the time when vegetation came back to life in 1942, the federal government seized a small village in north eastern Pennsylvania called Alvira. Residents were told at the time that they would be able to re-purchase their … A small town which housed approximately 100 people; Eminent Domain was exercised on Alvira during the spring of 1942. A TNT factory and 100 some bunkers where built to hold the explosives. Each bunker held 250,000 pounds of TNT, which had been shipped in in wooden crates. This secretive base was developed in the 1950’s Cold War-era to test the possibility of creating nuclear-powered jet engines that in turn could be used to construct fighter jets and bombers that would never need to land for refueling. At 13 miles long and home to 2 lengthy tunnels, the Abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike is one of the most unique hiking / biking trails in PA! Soon it was realized that the need for TNT had been overestimated, and the depot … Click to find a great deal for this hotel. Unless your killed by wild ruffled grouse...which is unlikely. In the spring of 1942 the federal government seized the town and evicted the residents. Due to the spread of COVID-19, some points of interest may be closed or have restrictions. Residing on what is now State Game Lands 252, the abandoned Alvira bunkers can legally be visited 365 days a year! Kept waiting for Zombies to attack. The abandoned Alvira munitions bunkers are an interesting architectural relic of WWII-era America. 17810 Some of the vegetation around the bunkers is quite thick (and prickly), and there are plenty of sharp objects strewn about in and around some of the bunkers. Thus, the village of Alvira was seized by the federal government. Many of the old roads / trails look nearly identical, and none are marked, so it would be quite easy to get turned around out amongst the bunkers. Yes – use GPS coordinates 41.13618, -76.95924 to navigate to the first of several parking lots along Alvira Road. Entrance to one of the bunkers … In order to meet an increased demand for munitions, the federal government leveled the town to clear the way for the Susquehanna Ordinance Depot. Today, the 149 dome-shaped concrete bunkers that once housed explosives for the US military are gradually being reclaimed by nature. They Alvira bunkers are located in the Union County portion of State Game Lands 252, approximately 7 miles south of Williamsport. The top things to do on an East Coast road trip, The top things to do on an I-95 road trip, The top things to do on an I-80 road trip, Pay Tribute & Reflect at These US Monuments & Memorials, The best-kept secrets of Disney World and Disneyland, Tour a former hospital, asylum, or prison, The Best RV Campgrounds to Plan a Fall Trip Around, The ultimate guide to Mammoth Cave National Park, The ultimate guide to Yellowstone National Park, The ultimate guide to Petrified Forest National Park. Tumblr is a place to express yourself, discover yourself, and bond over the stuff you love. The United States government reached its all time highest peak in military spending and needed a place to store the surplus. In a matter of eleven months, Alvira was gone, replaced with 150 concrete bunkers. The abandoned Alvira munitions bunkers in Union County are a series of 149 concrete, dome-shaped structures used to store TNT manufactured for the war effort during WWII. 1787-1883 Alvira Road, Located in state game lands, you will find 149 concrete domed bunkers created by the federal government, as well as overgrown remains of the village of Alvira, Pennsylvania. The government tore down the buildings and built 149 "igloo" styled bunkers for storing explosive material for the war. COMMENTS: No current residents. The land on which the factory itself stood, and a great deal of acreage was designated as a correctional facility that currently operates there and is easily viewable from the second cemetery. Please be aware that the bunkers and remains of Alvira are located on active hunting grounds, and are patrolled by rangers who will cite you for vandalism, etc. Pretty cool but not super exciting. Today, the concrete bunkers sit abandoned in public game lands. Allenwood, Back in 1942, the United States government expropriated through Eminent Domain all property within the Town of Alvira, established in 1825 as Wisetown and re-named in the 1860s, for use as a munitions depot. Did you know: If you use the Roadtrippers mobile app, your trips will instantly auto-sync over... Ready for navigation and good times! Rusty Glessner is an award-winning photographer, lifelong Pennsylvanian, and creator of the PA Bucket List travel and adventure guide. We saw 3 bunkers (none open) but turned around in case people were hunting. The Adventure: Episode 10 The Abandoned Bunkers of Alvira Posted on February 10, 2021 by RBleattler A short ride from the intersection of US 15 and PA 44, on Alvira rd. The Bunkers of Alvira. It spread out over a fairly large area, and motor vehicles are prohibited on the trail, so I highly recommend bringing bikes or going when it's cool so you don't die of heat stroke. And what was once a thriving little hamlet in Union County, followed by a TNT factory and munitions depot, is now slowly being reabsorbed by nature and the elements. To this end, in the spring of 1942 the federal government seized the small village of Alvira, Pennsylvania, and after kicking out the populace, razed almost every building in the village to build the Susquehanna Ordnance Depot. 150 storage bunkers, 17 miles of railroad track, 55 miles of roads, and 300 buildings replaced what was once the town of Alvira. The old munition bunkers are a must see. The Windber Trolley Graveyard in Somerset County is perhaps the most famous privately-owned collection of rusted vehicles in Pennsylvania! Relitivle easy to find, if you google the state game lands its on. Plan your road trip to The Bunkers of Alvira in PA with Roadtrippers. The abandoned Alvira bunkers are remnants of the American WWII war effort, as well as reminders of what lengths the federal government will go to to seize private property for “the greater good”. The Alvira Bunkers - Abandoned Places - Ghost Town - STIFFCHIN - STILLFIN STILLFIN & STIFFCHIN Explore the Alvira Bunkers. It’s about 20 minutes south of Williamsport, home of the Little League World Series. In the case of Alvira (originally founded as Wisetown in 1825), the federal government used the courts and eminent domain to force residents to accept buyouts of their homes, so that their entire town could be leveled and turned into a TNT manufacturing plant and storage facility known as the Pennsylvania Ordnance Works. Tall tales, trip guides, & the world's weird & wonderful. But just 11 months after the Pennsylvania Ordnance Works started manufacturing TNT, it was closed down due to a lack of need for the TNT being made and stored there. The Abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike is the largest abandoned site in Pennsylvania that you can legally visit. 1787-1883 Alvira Road, Allenwood, Pennsylvania 17810 USA. USA. MAUSDALE — Betty E. Yoder would walk past a cemetery in the snow on her way to school in Alvira… REMAINS: 3 cementarys, 2 old church foundations, several house foundations. Apr 9, 2017 - The Bunkers of Alvira is an Other Historical spot in Allenwood. One of the bunkers built where the village of Alvira once stood. All Rights Reserved. The federal government instead kept the land and gradually divvied it up, giving 4,000 acres to the Federal Bureau of Prisons to construct Allenwood Prison, and giving 3,000 acres to the state of Pennsylvania (including the land where the bunkers sit) which became State Game Lands 252. Some people hear the term Ghost Town and they think of a haunted town or someplace that was just walked away from. Be the first to add a review to the The Bunkers of Alvira. This is the final resting place for generations of Americans, some who fought and died for the freedoms you now enjoy, and all of whom were loved by someone in their time. You have entered an incorrect email address! Several cemeteries still stand on Game Lands 252 (see map above), including many Civil War-era graves.
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