Posted in Tennessee
April 18, 2017
We Found Staggering Photos Of An Abandoned College Hiding In Tennessee
There’s something about abandoned places that gives us a shiver up our spines. In the best way possible, of course. We have a certain fascination with forgotten places and eerie atmospheres, which is precisely what we’re going to show you today. Tennessee adventurer Chris Condon recently visited the abandoned Knoxville College, and what he found was chilling.
We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
Knoxville College has not hosted students since 2015, but the beautiful school was originally founded in 1875. Most of the school buildings were shuttered in the 1990s when the school's financial troubles began; they were later deemed unsafe for habitation by the city.
Submitted by Chris Condon
At the original time of closure, the hope was to make proper repairs and invite students back to its hallowed halls. As you can see here, that has not been the case. Over the last twenty years the school lost its accreditation, their funding dropped massively, and their enrollment was negligible.
Submitted by Chris Condon
The science building - part of which is shown here, in photos submitted by independent photographer Chris Condon - was found to contain potentially harmful chemicals that instigated both federal and state intervention.
Submitted by Chris Condon
As you can see here, it's as if everyone got up to leave one day - and never came back. Furniture and academic materials are scattered throughout the school, as decrepit as Knoxville College's unfortunate legacy.
Submitted by Chris Condon
Six of the buildings on campus have been placed on the "Fragile 15" list, a ream of endangered historic places. It's a sad thing, to see such a beautiful place fall to pieces. It's just the way of time though, isn't it?
You can explore via video, too!
Pretty amazing, hey? As a note: please do not enter any of the buildings on campus. They have been deemed unsafe and you will be considered a trespasser.
You can, however, check out more of Chris Condon’s work right here, or take yourself on one of the 10 Epic Adventures Every Tennessean Must Take Before They Die.
