Most People Don’t Know About These Strange Ruins Hiding In Massachusetts

Sometimes the coolest places are hiding just out of sight, and require a little bit of research to discover. For instance, these hidden ruins in Massachusetts look like the decaying remains of a fairytale castle, and you can explore them for yourself.  Spend an afternoon wandering around this piece of history, exploring all of the most fascinating pockets of time. Here’s how to find the ruins of Bancroft Castle.

Perched on the top of Gibbet Hill in Groton, the enigmatic ruins of Bancroft Castle are fascinating, to say the least.

This crumbling structure was built in 1906 by a local soldier and businessman, General William Bancroft.

It was originally meant to be a lavish bungalow, but funds ran out after Bancroft completed nearby Bancroft Tower.

The name he had in mind for the estate was "Shawfieldmont."

Over time, the bungalow served as everything from a tuberculosis hospital to a social center.

In 1932, the Groton Hunt Club held a Fourth of July celebration that spelled doom for the historic "castle."

A firecracker accident led to a huge fire that destroyed much of the structure.

Today, the stony ruins are part of a hiking trail that offers breathtaking views.

Local legends hold that Gibbet Hill ("gibbet" is another word for "gallows") was the site of several hangings in the 1600s. Because of this, the ruins are said to be haunted.

Whether or not the ghost stories are true, it’s clear that the ruins of Bancroft Castle are a beautiful part of Massachusetts’ hidden history.

To visit the ruins, park in the back of the Gibbet Hill Grill parking lot (61 Lowell Rd, Groton and yes, it's allowed) and access the marked trailhead from there. You can also access the trail by parking on Shattuck Street and looking for the trailhead marked by a small staircase and green arrow. And don't forget to take a look at this stunning footage of the ruins from Vimeo user Matt Stapleton:

To learn about more abandoned spots across Massachusetts, check out our list of the coolest deserted places here.

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