Each Of These 6 Abandoned Places In Connecticut Has A Story To Tell

Have you ever found yourself picking up your phone and searching for "the creepiest abandoned places in Connecticut?" While some take to the internet to seek out such spots, others stumble upon them by sheer accident. Whether you are hiking along the many beautiful trails of Connecticut or driving down an old road, when you find an abandoned building, there are always questions about an empty old mansion or a lonely roadside diner that no longer has patrons to serve.

There's just something about these places that intrigues us and makes us want to know more about the stories behind the buildings, ruins, and haunted homes in Connecticut - and the spirits that might still reside within... if you believe in that sort of thing. Here are six abandoned places in Connecticut that you won't have to wonder about any longer.

1. Sunrise Resort, East Haddam

Not too long ago, the buildings of Sunrise Resort were filled with laughter and fun. The 146-acre summer resort was a family getaway from the 1930s until 2008 with cabins, a pool, a cafeteria, a gift shop, and a recreation area. The pool has since been filled in and only three of the original buildings remain standing. Now part of Sunrise State Park, the remaining buildings remain abandoned and are slowly being reclaimed by nature. Did you make any memories at Sunrise Resort with your families before it shut down for good? Follow along on an exploration of this abandoned resort:

2. Hearthstone Castle, Danbury

Completed in 1899, this 18-acre summer estate was originally owned by Elias Starr Sanford and his wife, Emma. It was sold five years later and remained active through the mid-20th century. The original estate included a castle-like three-story, 16-room mansion with Italian woodwork, eight fireplaces, and iron chandeliers. The property had a pump house, water tower, carriage house, barn, and a caretaker's cottage.

Sadly, the mansion is a shell of its former glory and is not accessible to the public for safety reasons. Despite its restrictions, we can admire photographs of the castle and dream about its former glory. Learn about the history of Hearthstone Castle:

3. Johnsonville Village, East Haddam

Featured as background in the 1993 Billy Joel video for "River of Dreams" and two movies, Johnsonville is a former mill community that was built around the Neptune Mill in 1832 and named for the Emory Johnson homestead, built in 1846. The community continued to thrive until the 1960s. In the 1990s, efforts were considered to make Johnsonville Village into a Victorian-era tourist destination.

Recently, a Philippine-based Church of God purchased the ghost town for $1.85 million.

The village is not open to the public and cannot be visited without permission from the property owners. It still includes Victorian street lamps, the schoolhouse, the stable, houses, and other original buildings. It's easy to see why this spot has drawn so much attention over the years.

4. Shade Swamp Sanctuary, Farmington

If you follow the 1.1-mile Shade Swamp Blue Trail near Farmington, you will come across the remains of cages left from the former Shade Swamp Sanctuary. This wildlife rehab center helped endangered animals and local injured birds from 1934 until 1960. The sanctuary helped animals ranging from monkeys and alligators to parrots. As you explore, you might just swear you hear the sounds of cawing, barking, and growling. Check out the abandoned remains of this sanctuary:

5. Cedarcrest Hospital, Newington

Originally opened in 1910, the 885-acre hospital served as a tuberculosis hospital until it became a mental hospital in 1976. It was permanently closed in 2010 and a property owner continues to be sought to buy the expansive acreage. Trespassing is prohibited, although some locals think the hospital is haunted. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, there's no denying the eerie atmosphere of this complicated Connecticut building.

6. Seaside Sanatorium, Waterford

Located on the current Shoreline State Park, Seaside Sanatorium was originally opened as a hospital for tuberculosis patients in 1930 and became a home for people with mental and developmental disabilities in 1961. It closed in 1990 and has been a park since 2014. There is a mixed response about the possible future uses for the former sanatorium. Do you have any ideas for repurposing this former sanatorium?

Now that you've learned about some of the most famous and fascinating abandoned places in Connecticut, you might be thinking about abandoned buildings you've encountered during your own travels through the state. We'd love to hear from you, so share your memories of any of the spots above or recommend another intriguing abandoned building in Connecticut by completing our official nomination form.

Looking for something even spookier? Pack up the car and follow our haunted Connecticut road trip route.