These Amazing Abandoned Homes In North Carolina Will Make You Want To Go Exploring
In 2014, on the one year anniversary of her sister’s sudden and tragic death, Michelle Bowers decided to honor her sister by doing something they once loved to do as children – explore old, abandoned homes and buildings. On that same day, Michelle also made a Facebook page by the name of Abandoned Homes of North Carolina to showcase the beautifully decayed ruins she would discover across the state.
What started as a coping mechanism quickly became a hobby. But little did she know, or ever expect, that this hobby would gain her over 100k followers and national attention.
I’ve been following her page for quite some time and decided to reach out and ask a few questions about the homes she’s explored and the future of the page. Besides beautiful photography, she also has some really neat history and insight on each property.


When I am lucky my research skills come in handy and I can find old pictures from back in the homes' glory days. The black and white is from the mansion's good days. It was his Thanksgiving retreat. They had an indoor pool, tennis courts, basketball court, polo field, horse stables and a kennel that housed their fox hunting dogs."


Josiah Crudup was a very large plantation owner in the area at the time. His home was one of the first in the county to have not only indoor plumbing where water was drawn from the creek into the house, but it actually had an elevator at one point. A hand drawn elevator that his slaves used to pull him up and down as his health started failing.
There is so much rich history attached to it. Whenever I go photograph it feels like I can hear the Crudups crying about the state of their home. They are buried out back in a small grove of trees in perfect view of their once revered home.
I have tried to reach out to the current owner to inquire if she would be willing to sell it. She has not replied to me. It is disconcerting to me that a house on the National Register with an out of town owner is allowed to just sit and succumb to the elements."




Families spent their evenings on the front porch swings while the kids chased lightning bugs barefoot in the front yard. Now we are all so electronically connected and so hurried.
My dream is to find a little cabin I could restore. It would be my weekend cabin. It would be a technology free zone!"






It would be an interesting home if it is not too far gone. I was there a year ago and it was in bad shape. Last I heard some of the foundation was shifting, so doesn't sound too good. "

The castle was one of those trips where just getting there was equally as exciting!
And also The Rockefeller mansion for sure! The Rockefellers were such an iconic American family and it saddens me to see it in the condition it is in right now."
Michelle frequently posts pictures of her explorations and you can even find a video interview with her here.
To see more of her findings and learn more history be sure to like her page Abandoned Homes Of North Carolina!
What do you think of this type of exploration? Do you have any questions for Michelle? Tell us in the comments!