ペンシルベニア州のトップ 21 の歴史的場所を探索しました!

ペンシルベニア州のトップ 21 の歴史的場所を探索しました!

You’ve heard of Gettysburg. You’ve seen the Liberty Bell. But what about a ghost town the government erased? Or a furnace that once fueled the revolution and now sits buried in trees? These aren’t your average landmarks. They’re the pieces of Pennsylvania’s history no one talks about. In this video, we’re taking you to 21 places with stories so strange, so forgotten, and so real, you might just start questioning what else is hiding in plain sight. But before starting our countdown, make sure to hit that subscribe button because we’ve tens of videos already uploaded on this channel and many are on the way. Number 21, Concrete City. Tucked away in Luzern County is one of Pennsylvania’s strangest experiments, a place called Concrete City. Built in 1911, it was meant to be a model community for coal miners. Solid concrete homes, fireproof construction, and everything arranged in a perfect grid. Sounds smart, right? But there was a problem. No working sewer system. And when maintenance costs started piling up, the company just gave up. By the 1920s, the entire neighborhood was abandoned. Now, the homes still stand, cracked, covered in graffiti, and surrounded by forest. Walking through them feels like stepping into a ghost town where the buildings outlived the people. There’s no signage, no ticket booth, just you, the silence, and 20 eerie concrete shells left behind by an idea that didn’t quite work out. Number 20, Eastern State Penitentiary. In the heart of Philadelphia stands one of the creepiest, most iconic, and surprisingly thought-provoking places in Pennsylvania. Eastn State Penitentiary. When it opened in 1829, this place was groundbreaking. It was the most expensive prison in the world at the time and introduced a completely new concept in corrections. Solitary confinement as rehabilitation. Inmates were kept in complete silence, living alone in stone cells with tiny skylights, eating, sleeping, and thinking in total isolation. They weren’t allowed to speak, read or write. Even guards wore felt on their shoes to move quietly. The belief was that this silence would lead to personal reflection and repentance. But in many cases, it led to severe psychological damage. The prison’s design itself was ahead of its time with spoke wheel layout, volted cell blocks, and running water and central heating before even the White House had them. It became a model for more than 300 prisons worldwide. Over the years, some of America’s most infamous criminals were held here, including Alapone, whose lavishly decorated cell you can still see today. Complete with a desk, lamp, and even a vintage radio. Now abandoned as a prison, Eastern State is open for public tours. You can walk through crumbling cell blocks, peer into haunting isolation cells, and see exhibits that explore not just the prison’s history, but the broader story of incarceration in America. And yes, it’s also known for ghost stories, especially during its popular haunted attraction events in October. Number 19, Ephrada Closter. This quiet spot in Lancaster County might not look unbelievable at first, but the story behind it definitely is. The Africa Closter was founded in the early 1700s by a group of German settlers who believed in a life of simplicity, silence, and spiritual devotion. They built a small community with plain wooden buildings, lived in total silence for most of the day, and even slept on wooden benches just 15 in wide with blocks of wood as pillows. That’s how dedicated they were. But here’s the part most people don’t know. This group also created some of the earliest American music and printed texts. They had their own printing press and wrote beautiful hymns that historians still study today. Now you can walk through the original buildings, see their living quarters, and get a feel for what life was like almost 300 years ago. It’s peaceful, strange, and a powerful reminder of how different beliefs shaped Pennsylvania’s early days. Number 18, the Underground Railroad Museum. At first glance, Belmont Mansion looks like just another elegant old home sitting high above Philadelphia’s Fairmont Park. But what’s inside tells a much deeper and more powerful story. This mansion was once a stop on the Underground Railroad. The secret network that helped enslaved people escape to freedom in the 1800s. Hidden rooms, brave homeowners, and countless untold stories are tied to this place. Today, the mansion has been turned into a museum that highlights the struggles and bravery of those who risked everything for freedom. You’ll learn about Harriet Tubman, local abolitionists, and the dangerous journeys taken by those escaping slavery. It’s not just a museum. It’s a place that makes you stop and think. A reminder that even the most beautiful buildings can hold stories of pain, courage, and hope. Number 17, Penhurst Asylum. Hidden behind tall trees in Chester County is a place that once held over a thousand people. But most of them weren’t there by choice. Pennhurst Asylum, originally opened in 1908 as the Pennsylvania State School for the Feeble-minded, was meant to help people with disabilities. But what actually happened inside is hard to forget. Over the years, the place became overcrowded. Patients were often left alone for hours, lived in poor conditions, and in many cases were completely mistreated. By the 1970s, news reports and investigations exposed what had been hidden for decades, and eventually the institution was shut down. Today, Pennhurst still stands. Some parts have been opened for historical tours, and others are used during Halloween for haunted attractions. But the real fear comes from its history, not just the ghosts people talk about. Walking through Pennhurst is like stepping into the past. A dark, unsettling part of history that reminds us how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go. Number 16, Ekley Miner Village. Imagine walking through a town where time has completely stopped. That’s exactly what Eckley Miner Village feels like. This small coal mining town was built in the 1850s to house immigrant workers and their families. Everything here, the homes, the church, the company store, has been preserved just the way it was. It’s like a living museum showing exactly how people lived during Pennsylvania’s coal mining boom. You can stroll down the quiet streets, peek into old homes, and even visit the schoolhouse where children once sat in rows with chalkboards. And if it feels familiar, you’re not imagining it. The movie The Molly Maguiars was filmed here in the 1970s using the actual village as the set. Ekley isn’t flashy or crowded, but that’s what makes it so powerful. It’s a rare chance to experience the everyday life of miners and their families frozen in time. Number 15, Fort Necessity National Battlefield. In the quiet hills of Fyat County sits a small wooden fort that played a big role in American history. This is Fort Necessity and it’s where a young George Washington fought his very first battle. Back in 1754, long before the United States even existed, Washington and his men built this simple fort to defend against the French. The battle that followed didn’t go well. Washington actually surrendered. But it was the spark that helped ignite the French and Indian War, which later led to the American Revolution. Today, the fort has been rebuilt on its original site. There’s also a modern visitor center with exhibits, trails through the battlefield, and even reenactments that show how it all happened. It might look small, but Fort Necessity is where one of the biggest chapters in American history began. Right here in western Pennsylvania. Number 14, Fricks Lock Village. Just outside of Phoenixville is a place most people have never heard of, but once you find it, you won’t forget it. Ficks Lock Village is a real life ghost town frozen in the 1800s. This little village was once a busy canal town sitting right along the schoolill navigation system. Boats came and went, people worked, kids played. It was full of life. But as canals were replaced by railroads and later by highways and power plants, the town slowly emptied out. By the 1970s, it was completely abandoned. What’s eerie is how much of it still stands. Old wooden houses, brick buildings, even the general store, all still there, locked up and quiet. The village is fenced off today, but guided tours are sometimes offered by local historians. It feels like time just stopped. No crowds, no noise, just the wind, the creaking wood, and a strong sense that this place still holds stories we’ll never fully know. Number 13, Bethlehem Steel Plant. At the edge of the city of Bethlehem stands the massive skeleton of what was once the second largest steel producer in the entire United States, the Bethlehem Steel Plant. This wasn’t just a factory. It was a powerhouse. For over a century, Bethlehem Steel provided the steel that built America’s bridges, battleships, and skyscrapers. The Golden Gate Bridge, the Chrysler Building, the Hoover Dam, all of them carry the legacy of this Pennsylvania giant. During World War II, the plant ran day and night, producing armor and warships that helped turn the tide of the conflict. But by the late 20th century, global competition and outdated practices led to the plant’s decline. In 1995, the furnaces went cold, and in 2001, the company declared bankruptcy, ending an era. Today, parts of the site have been transformed into steel stacks, a modern arts and cultural center that uses the towering blast furnaces as a dramatic backdrop. You’ll find outdoor concerts, museums, and public events here, but the heart of it is still steel. Walking beneath the rusted machinery, you can feel the weight of history. It’s industrial, raw, and incredibly powerful. A place where you don’t just learn about history, you stand inside it. Number 12, Hopewell Furnace. Step into Hopewell Furnace and you’re stepping straight into the 1700s. This place isn’t a replica. It’s the real deal. It was once a thriving iron plantation that helped build the early United States, producing tools, weapons, and household goods long before factories became the norm. What’s amazing is how much has been preserved. You can walk through the original iron master’s house, the blacksmith shop, the barn, and even see where molten iron was poured into molds. The village layout still feels like it did back in the 1800s. But it’s not just the buildings, it’s the setting. Hopewell is surrounded by forest, just like it was when workers used charcoal to fire the furnace. You can hike, explore, and picture what life was like for both wealthy owners and hardworking laborers. It’s peaceful. It’s historical and it’s one of Pennsylvania’s most complete and underrated historic sites. Number 11, Centriia. Centriia might be the most haunting town in Pennsylvania. And the weirdest part, it’s still technically on the map. Back in the early 1960s, a fire started in an underground coal mine beneath the town. It never stopped burning. The ground got hot. Smoke rose through cracks in the pavement. And over time, houses started sinking. Streets buckled. Gas stations had to be shut down. Eventually, the government declared the town unsafe, and nearly all residents were relocated. Today, only a handful of people still live there. Most of the buildings are gone. What’s left is overgrown land, a few scattered homes, and that eerie silent feeling like something is still moving beneath the surface. There’s no real tourist center or visitors map, but people still come to see the empty streets, the sealed off areas, and the strange sense of a town that nature and fire both tried to erase. Centralia isn’t just a place, it’s a warning, and it’s unlike anywhere else in Pennsylvania. Number 10, Old Jail Museum. Right in the heart of Jim Thorp sits a building that looks like something out of a western movie. But once you step inside, the story gets much darker. This is the Old Jail Museum, and it’s more than just cells and stone walls. It’s the site of one of Pennsylvania’s most infamous stories. In the late 1800s, a group of coal miners known as the Molly Maguiars were accused of organizing violent protests against harsh working conditions. Some were tried and executed right here in this jail. And their story is still surrounded by debate and mystery. The most chilling part, one of the executed men left a handprint on the wall of his cell, claiming it would never fade as proof of his innocence. Over 140 years later, the mark is still there. And no matter how many times it’s been scrubbed or painted over, it keeps coming back. Today, you can tour the jail, walk through the cells, and even stand in the very spot where history and legend were made. Before moving to our next location, let us know which of these historical places surprised you the most. Or is there a hidden piece of Pennsylvania history that we missed and should feature in the next video? Drop your thoughts in the comments as we read and respond to every single one. Number nine, Fort Mifflin. Just a few miles from the busy Philadelphia airport is a place that most people don’t even notice, but it’s one of the most important and overlooked forts in American history. Fort Mifflin was built in the 1700s and played a major role in the Revolutionary War. In 1777, with the British army closing in, a small group of American soldiers held off a much larger force, giving George Washington’s army time to escape. The fort was bombarded for days, but the defenders didn’t give up. Today, Fort Mifflin is still standing, and it’s open for visitors. You can walk through the underground bunkers, see the original stone walls, and even attend reenactments or ghost tours. Because, yes, it’s also said to be haunted. What makes Fort Mifflin special isn’t just the history. It’s that you can stand in the exact same spots where real events shaped the future of the country. And the fact that it’s hidden in plain sight makes it feel even more powerful. Number eight, Bushy Run Battlefield. Most people have heard of Gettysburg, but few know about Bushy Run, even though it played a key role in shaping Pennsylvania’s early history. In 1763, during Pontiac’s rebellion, British forces fought here against Native American warriors. It was a fierce, bloody battle and a rare British victory at a time when things weren’t going well for them. Without this win, Western Pennsylvania might have looked very different today. Bushyrun Battlefield is now a peaceful park, but the echoes of history are still strong. You can walk the same trails where the battle happened, visit the museum, and even catch a live reenactment each summer that brings the entire story back to life. It’s quiet, scenic, and packed with stories that most Pennians have never even heard. If you want to understand how the state was truly shaped, Bushy Run is one of those places that deserves more attention. Number seven, the Mercer Museum. Walking into the Mercer Museum feels like stepping into the mind of a collector or maybe even a time traveler. Built by Henry Mercer in the early 1900s, this concrete castle was designed to preserve the everyday tools and objects of early American life before they disappeared forever. And when we say preserve, we mean everything. Inside you’ll find over 50,000 artifacts. Horsedrawn carriages hanging from the ceiling, old lanterns, spinning wheels, farming tools, even a whailing boat suspended in the air. The building itself is just as fascinating. With winding staircases, hidden nooks, and rooms packed from floor to ceiling, it’s unlike any other museum in the country. Mercer believed that the real story of America was in the ordinary. the tools people used to build, cook, travel, and survive. Visiting this place gives you a totally new perspective on how people lived and how much we’ve changed. Number six, Grey Towers National Historic Site. Hidden in the forested hills of northeastern Pennsylvania is one of the most beautiful and unexpected historic estates in the state. This is Gray Towers, the former home of Gford Pincho, America’s first chief of the US Forest Service and a two-time Pennsylvania governor. Built in the 1880s, Grey Towers looks like a French chateau with its pointed turrets, grand stone walls, and manicured gardens. But this place isn’t just about looks. It’s where major ideas about conservation and protecting nature were born. Pincho helped shape how America manages its forests and public lands. And this estate was both his home and his retreat for big conversations with leaders, scientists, and environmental thinkers of his time. Today, Grey Towers is open to the public. You can take a guided tour through the rooms filled with original furnishings, walk the garden paths, and even visit the unusual outdoor dining area where guests sat in floating chairs around a small moat. Number five, Cary Blast Furnaces. Rising like rustcovered giants along the Manonga River, the Carry Blast furnaces are some of the last surviving pieces of Pennsylvania’s once mighty steel industry. And walking among them feels like stepping into a forgotten industrial world. These towering iron furnaces, part of the old homestead steel works, operated from the early 1900s until 1982. At their peak, they ran around the clock, producing up to 1,200 tons of iron per day and fueling everything from bridges to battleships. The roar of fire, the glow of molten metal, and the constant clank of machinery once filled this entire valley. Thousands of workers, many of them immigrants, labored here in brutal heat and danger. The work was backbreaking and often deadly, but it helped build the steel backbone of America. Today, the furnaces are preserved as a national historic landmark and open for guided tours. But this isn’t your typical museum. It’s raw, massive, and beautifully untouched. The steel catwalks, rusted pipes, graffiti covered surfaces, it all feels like time just stopped. Visitors can explore the maze of industrial architecture, learn how iron was created, and hear stories from former steel workers. There are even special programs focused on art, blacksmithing, and photography, keeping the spirit of creativity, and grit alive. Number four, Cornwall Iron Furnace. Tucked away in Lebanon County is a place that looks more like an old European workshop than something you’d expect to find in Pennsylvania. And yet, it played a major role in America’s early industry. This is Cornwall Iron Furnace, built in 1742, and it’s one of the only intact charcoal fueled blast furnaces left in the entire United States. During the 1700s and 1800s, this place produced iron used for tools, stoves, cannons, and even weapons during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. What’s amazing is how well it’s been preserved. You can still see the original furnace, casting arches, wooden gears, and even the towering water wheels that powered the whole operation. When you step inside, it feels like the workers just clocked out a few hours ago. It’s quiet, authentic, and surprisingly powerful to see. If you’re interested in early American craftsmanship or industrial history, Cornwall Iron Furnace is one of the best places in the country to experience it firsthand. Number three, John Hines History Center. Right in the heart of Pittsburgh’s Strip District is a museum that’s way more than just a museum. It’s a time machine through Western Pennsylvania’s past. This is the John Hines History Center. And if you’ve never been, you’re missing one of the most fascinating places in the entire state. Affiliated with the Smithsonian, this sixfloor museum covers everything from Pittsburgh’s sports legends and industrial powerhouses to its immigrant stories, inventions, and even ketchup. Yes, Hines Ketchup, which started right here in this city. There’s an entire section dedicated to Mr. Rogers’s Neighborhood, complete with original puppets and sets. You’ll also find a full-size steel mill exhibit, vintage fire trucks, war memorabilia, and rotating exhibits that dive into local culture, innovation, and identity. But what makes this place really special is how personal it feels. It doesn’t just tell big picture history. It tells the stories of real people, communities, and everyday life that helped shape Western Pennsylvania into what it is today. It’s perfect for families, history lovers, and anyone who wants to understand the real roots of Pittsburgh beyond just bridges and steel. Number two, Gettysburg Battlefield. If there’s one place in Pennsylvania where history feels truly alive, it’s Gettysburg. This quiet town was the site of the most famous and deadliest battle of the Civil War in 1863. Over 3 days, more than 50,000 soldiers were killed, wounded, or missing. The battle marked a turning point in the war and in American history. Today, the Gettysburg National Military Park spans thousands of acres with rolling hills, monuments, and preserved battlefields. You can take a self-guided drive, walk the trails, or join a guided tour to hear the stories behind the places. Little Roundtop, Devil’s Den, Cemetery Hill. And don’t miss the Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center, where powerful exhibits, original artifacts, and the massive Gettysburg Cycllorama painting bring the past to life in stunning detail. But the most moving part, standing at Gettysburg National Cemetery, where Abraham Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg address. It’s quiet, so unforgettable. If there’s one historic site in Pennsylvania that everyone should visit at least once, it’s this one. Number one, Independence Hall. You can’t talk about American history without talking about Independence Hall. and you’ll find it right here in Pennsylvania. Located in the heart of Philadelphia, this is where the founding fathers signed both the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution. In short, this is the room where the United States of America was born. From the outside, it looks like a classic brick building. But once you step inside the assembly room, the same room where George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson once sat, it becomes something else entirely. You’re not just learning about history. You’re standing in the exact spot where it was made. The room has been carefully preserved to match how it looked in the 1700s. The original ink stand used during the signing is still there. Just across the street, the Liberty Bell. One of the most iconic symbols of American freedom quietly draws millions of visitors every year. And this is why it’s number one on our list. Because out of all the historical places in Pennsylvania, this is the one where the entire nation began. It’s not just a site to visit. It’s a place to reflect on the ideas, the risks, and the courage it took to imagine a free country. And there you have it, guys. I hope you have enjoyed this video. If so, these are our two most viewed playlists. Make sure to watch any of these now and we’ll see you there.

Pennsylvania is packed with history — but not the kind you read in textbooks. Sure, everyone knows about Gettysburg and the Liberty Bell, but what about ghost towns, abandoned steel mills, or underground railroad safe houses? In this video, we’re counting down 21 of the most unbelievable historical places in Pennsylvania — places that most people don’t even know exist. From Centralia’s never-ending underground fire to Concrete City’s forgotten concrete homes, we’re revealing hidden chapters of Pennsylvania’s past that will leave you speechless.

Whether you’re planning a road trip, love exploring abandoned places in Pennsylvania, or you’re a history buff curious about forgotten landmarks, this video is for you. You’ll visit historic prisons, haunted asylums, old battlefields, and iron furnaces from the Revolutionary War era — all still standing today. These aren’t just places to visit — they’re stories frozen in time. Places like Frick’s Lock ghost town, the Ephrata Cloister, and the Carrie Blast Furnaces show you how powerful, strange, and inspiring Pennsylvania’s history truly is.

If you’re searching for the best historic sites in Pennsylvania, or curious about unique attractions in PA, make sure to watch till the end. This list includes hidden gems, abandoned towns, colonial-era villages, and even the exact room where the United States was born — Independence Hall in Philadelphia. We promise, these are 21 places you won’t believe exist in Pennsylvania.

👇 Comment below — which place surprised you the most? Or did we miss one that should’ve made the list? We read and respond to every comment!

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🛤️ Forgotten Towns in Pennsylvania(Playlist): https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPBmKns7iRlUklLRbz0GMupSdsSzPkR9w&si=xUxK_vymNKemYJ_h
🏞️ Hidden Gems in Pennsylvania (Playlist): https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPBmKns7iRlXYiov2TjakxVefT-C5ScjU&si=jWfuGOs5JhId-u9u
👻 Pennsylvania’s Most Haunted Locations: https://youtu.be/KRXCiV6E4Qs?si=VVujUOX8gBGcoR-5
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