In the spring of 1942 the federal government seized the town and evicted the residents. Located in state game lands, you will find 149 concrete domed bunkers created by the federal government, as well as overgrown remains of the village of Alvira, Pennsylvania. If you are unable to find an open bunker, please simply enjoy them from the outside, which is really neat in its own right. One of the most interesting features of the depot were the 149 concrete, "igloo-style" bunkers used for stable storage of explosive materials. If anyone has any info. Today, they lay hidden in the woods of State Game Lands 252, just a few miles south of Williamsport. Because of the atmosphere and constant temps, it was a perfect place to keep them. The Alvira Bunkers - Abandoned Places - Ghost Town - STIFFCHIN - STILLFIN STILLFIN & STIFFCHIN Explore the Alvira Bunkers. I used to hunt at the ordinance when I was 16. Unless your killed by wild ruffled grouse...which is unlikely. Did you know: If you use the Roadtrippers mobile app, your trips will instantly auto-sync over... Ready for navigation and good times! Jim Cheney is the creator of UncoveringPA.com. Gold Mine Explore Real California Gold Mines! The federal government was looking for somewhere to build an ordnance depot and, for reasons that are unclear today, chose this speck of land in Union County, PA. Alvira (historical) hotels: low rates, no booking fees, no cancellation fees. One of the bunkers built where the village of Alvira once stood. Back in 1942, the United States government expropriated through Eminent Domain all property within the Town of Alvira, established in 1825 as Wisetown and re-named in the 1860s, for use as a munitions depot. A TNT factory and 100 some bunkers where built to hold the explosives. Jan 15, 2016 - Discover Bunkers of Alvira in Allenwood, Pennsylvania: Over 100 concrete munitions bunkers are all that remain of a Pennsylvanian village seized by the US government. A small town which housed approximately 100 people; Eminent Domain was exercised on Alvira during the spring of 1942. Very neat documentary! This parking area is directly adjacent to bunker #1, and two gated dirt roads lead off into the forest from here. The Death of Alvira” for sale. I am almost 63 now and this brings back memories. This is a fascinating cemetery to walk around, and it’s obvious that people still come and care for it. In order to meet an increased demand for munitions, the federal government leveled the town to clear the way for the Susquehanna Ordinance Depot. Tall tales, trip guides, & the world's weird & wonderful. Maplandia.com in partnership with Booking.com offers highly competitive rates for all types of hotels in Alvira (historical), from affordable family hotels to the most luxurious ones. Found 4 bunkers, 2 locked, 2 open. Standing in the center of the bunker causes your voice to bounce over and over again throughout the concrete building. We lived in 1 of the 10 staff houses where the Lycoming Landfill is now located. NAME: Alvira COUNTY: Union ROADS: 2WD GRID: 2 CLIMATE: Hot Summer and Snow in the Winter BEST TIME TO VISIT: Spring and early fall. I just learned that my great grandfather owned a piece of land that was taken over by the government for this purpose in Alvira. Open for only eleven months, the bomb factory was closed after the gov't realized they had overestimated the amount of explosives necessary, therefore sitting dormant for the last years of WWII. It spread out over a fairly large area, and motor vehicles are prohibited on the trail, so I highly recommend bringing bikes or going when it's cool so you don't die of heat stroke. When I visited, there were also areas of the land that were closed to the public. A small town which housed approximately 100 people; Eminent Domain was exercised on Alvira during the spring of 1942. All that being said, it’s entirely possible that the bunker doors could be welded shut at some point in the future. Mar 6, 2017 - Discover Bunkers of Alvira in Allenwood, Pennsylvania: Over 100 concrete munitions bunkers are all that remain of a Pennsylvanian village seized by the US government. One thing that is really cool about the bunkers of Alvira is that several are located directly along Alvira Road. Please also respect the history of the site and don’t enter any closed bunkers and leave them all as you found them. Can I navigate to the Alvira bunkers by GPS? In order to meet an increased demand for munitions, the federal government leveled the town to clear the way for the Susquehanna Ordinance Depot. Relitivle easy to find, if you google the state game lands its on. Nevertheless, it is fascinating coming across them while walking through this rather beautiful landscape. However, it was soon discovered that the military didn’t need the storage, and the bunkers were quickly vacated. The documentary is about the Pennsylvania Ordinance Works and what all went on there and how the grounds are now. REMAINS: 3 cementarys, 2 old church foundations, several house foundations. Each bunker held 250,000 pounds of TNT, which had been shipped in in wooden crates. Tumblr is a place to express yourself, discover yourself, and bond over the stuff you love. Creepy abandoned bunkers. A small town which housed approximately 100 people; Eminent Domain was exercised on Alvira during the spring of 1942. Most people (myself included) just have no idea the cool stuff in our area… so glad I came across this site!! Booking.com, being established in 1996, is longtime Europe’s leader in online hotel reservations. JUST DRIVING THROUGH WHERE THE TOWN USED TO BE, AND KNOWING WHAT HAPPENED THERE JUST GIVES YOU A STRANGE AND SYMPATHETIC FEELING. … 150 storage bunkers, 17 miles of railroad track, 55 miles of roads, and 300 buildings replaced what was once the town of Alvira. It should be noted that since this is a land that allows hunting, wearing orange when visiting is highly recommended. We saw 3 bunkers (none open) but turned around in case people were hunting. From this parking lot, there are several gated dirt roads that head into the state game lands. USA. The government tore down the buildings and built 149 "igloo" styled bunkers for storing explosive material for the war. COMMENTS: No current residents. Allenwood, In a matter of eleven months, Alvira was gone, replaced with 150 concrete bunkers. Thank you for the info! Please stay safe and call ahead to get the latest information. Bunkers of Alvira. Even small noises, like jingling keys, create an incredible sound. I was intrigued by the story and had to do some additional research. For urban explorers, there is a different reason to go to this deserted town: the Bunkers of Alvira. I HAVE BEEN TO THE REMAINS OF ALVIRA AND HAVE SEEN, AND ACTUALLY ENTERED ONE OF THE BUNKERS. You can also check out an abandoned World War 2 POW camp in Cumberland County, PA. [Click here for information on how to use the coordinates in this article to find your destination.]. Some people hear the term Ghost Town and they think of a haunted town or someplace that was just walked away from. MAUSDALE — Betty E. Yoder would walk past a cemetery in the snow on her way to … I plan to go visit there this spring. Alvira Bunker Evidence; After the attack on Pearl Harbor in December of 1941, the United States was determined to ramp up production of necessary war materials, at all costs. Are these bunkers in Alvira connected to the Keystone Ordinance Works in Crawford County PA? The destination is about 8 mins away from this point. Discover Bunkers of Alvira in Allenwood, Pennsylvania: Over 100 concrete munitions bunkers are all that remain of a Pennsylvanian village seized by the US government. At the end of the road, notice a trail leading off to the left (as you face the end of the road). In 1942, the town of Alvira, Pennsylvania, near Allenwood, had about 100 residents. Pretty cool but not super exciting. Please respect these areas as you can see plenty of bunkers without crossing those signs. Even better, as you get closer to the center, the echoes get better and better. Get Price. If you love visiting abandoned places, this is definitely a spot not to miss as it showcases the fascinating history of how PA responded to the war effort of the 1940s. The 2 that were open were very neat, lots of abandoned stuff. Each is numbered and many are sadly mired with graffiti. Today, they lay hidden in the woods of State Game Lands 252, just a few miles south of Williamsport. Thus, the village of Alvira was seized by the federal government. It was secluded, remote from Williamsport to the north and Harrisburg to the south. If your really serious about it, you can make a whole day out of it and probably not be bored. IT IS A SHAME, HOWEVER, THAT PEOPLE CAN’T RESPECT A PART OF PA. HISTORY AND FEEL COMPELLED TO PAINT GRAFFITI IN AND ON THE BUNKERS. Check out the covered bridges of Union County, the World of Little League Museum, and the grave of baseball legend Christy Mathewson. Also, dress appropriately because there are postings about ticks. My dad worked at the Allenwood Prison during the 50s – 60s. Up Next. The Alvira Bunkers can be found just west of Route 15 near Allenwood in Union County, Pennsylvania. Alvira WW2 Bunkers Our goal to travel to an unique new place within our state or close by every weekend took us to a small town called Allenwood, PA this weekend. Today, the concrete bunkers sit abandoned in public game lands. Yes – use GPS coordinates 41.13618, -76.95924 to navigate to the first of several parking lots along Alvira Road. We spent much time driving around the Alvira area when foundations, shrubbery, fruit trees were easily seen. Ty. We investigate at the bunkers of Alvira PA and get this unsettling evp ... Category PARANORMAL VIDEOS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES. The abandoned Alvira munitions bunkers in Union County are a series of 149 concrete, dome-shaped structures used to store TNT manufactured for the war effort during WWII. It became Susquehanna Ordnance Depot and included 149 concrete bunkers, where munitions were stored. About 4 miles to the north west of Allenwood PA. I grew up in this area. While the bunkers can be found throughout the game lands, the best place to park to explore the bunkers is a parking lot along Alvira Road. The bunkers built in the woods behind the factory, however, remain, as do two cemeteries from the town and a number of concrete foundations (most of which are accessible directly from the main road into the game lands). Discover Bunkers of Alvira in Allenwood, Pennsylvania Over 100 concrete munitions bunkers are all that remain of a Pennsylvanian village seized by the US government. Bunkers of Alvira Allenwood, Pennsylvania Atlas Obscura. Be the first to comment. We used the igloos to store potatoes, apples and such. 150 storage bunkers, 17 miles of railroad track, 55 miles of roads, and 300 buildings replaced what was once the town of Alvira. Located in state game lands, you will find 149 concrete domed bunkers created by the federal government, as well as overgrown remains of the village of Alvira, Pennsylvania. In 1942, the town of Alvira, Pennsylvania, near Allenwood, had about 100 residents. Because they are located along the main paths, finding them is rather easy. They purchased all of the land in the town, as well as many nearby farms, forcing the residents to leave, and razing the entire community. What's up guys! Each bunker held 250,000 pounds of TNT, which had been shipped in in wooden crates. Sign in or sign up to post comments. Please reply! Help spread the word. They Alvira bunkers are located in the Union County portion of State Game Lands 252, approximately 7 miles south of Williamsport. However, for those that love exploring abandoned places, it’s still possible to see some of these bunkers and some remnants of the community by visiting State Game Lands 252. Mar 18, 2017 - Discover Bunkers of Alvira in Allenwood, Pennsylvania: Over 100 concrete munitions bunkers are all that remain of a Pennsylvanian village seized by the US government. The top things to do on an East Coast road trip, The top things to do on an I-95 road trip, The top things to do on an I-80 road trip, Declare independence at these Revolution-era pubs, Tour a former hospital, asylum, or prison, The Best RV Campgrounds to Plan a Fall Trip Around, The ultimate guide to Mammoth Cave National Park, The ultimate guide to Yellowstone National Park, The ultimate guide to Petrified Forest National Park, The ultimate guide to Big Bend National Park. The federal government was looking for somewhere to build an ordnance depot and, for … The road continues for about 1.5 miles, passing several other bunkers and a small cemetery, before ending at a gate. You're awesome for doing it! 17810 If you visit, you will find them, covered in vines and partially obscured by rust and debris. 01:28. Still, some of the graves are quite interesting, including two men of the same last name that likely died in the Civil War and a plaque that denotes the injuries of another man. They must be in some way! After exploring the bunkers, don’t leave the area, instead, follow Alvira Road to the southeast. Apr 10, 2016 - The Munitions Bunkers of Alvira, Pennsylvania - Located in state game lands, you will find 149 concrete domed bunkers created by the federal government, as well as overgrown remains of the village of Alvira, Pennsylvania. While the road on the left will take you deeper into the game lands, bunkers can more quickly be reached by taking the road to the right. What a great resource! It’s about 20 minutes south of Williamsport, home of the Little League World Series. The Alvira Bunkers are all that remains of a World War II-era military depot that was located in central Pennsylvania. We went and explored old abandoned World war 2 bunkers meant for storing munition named The Bunkers of Alvira. Click to find a great deal for this hotel. Located in state game lands, you will find 149 concrete domed bunkers created by the federal government, as well as overgrown remains of the village of Alvira, Pennsylvania. Alvira, Pennsylvania and The Bunkers A while back my friend Jared and I visited Pennsylvania State Game Lands 252 near Allenwood, Pennsylvania which is where the town of Alvira once existed. A close-knit community, it boasted tidy houses, white picket fences and four churches. Due to the spread of COVID-19, some points of interest may be closed or have restrictions. It should be noted again that this is hunting land, so wearing orange while exploring is highly recommended. This means that if you’d rather not go hiking into the game lands, it’s still possible to see a couple of them without even having to leave your car. Cyndi – Jan 23 2020 Does anyone know if there are any abandon mine shafts in this are this area of pa was quite a mining area as well. In order to meet an increased demand for munitions, the federal government leveled the town to clear … Apr 9, 2017 - The Bunkers of Alvira is an Other Historical spot in Allenwood. Anything you plan or save automagically syncs with the apps, ready for you to hit the road! The land on which the factory itself stood, and a great deal of acreage was designated as a correctional facility that currently operates there and is easily viewable from the second cemetery. In this video my dad and I explore the Abandoned World War Two Bunkers of Alvira. While you could certainly visit these, there are enough that are steps from the old roads that I didn’t find it necessary to traipse through the underbrush. To this end, in the spring of 1942 the federal government seized the small village of Alvira, Pennsylvania, and after kicking out the populace, razed almost every building in the village to build the Susquehanna Ordnance Depot. The old munition bunkers are a must see. © Copyright 2013-2021 Uncovering Media, LLC - All Rights Reserved, Find more things to do in the Susquehanna Region, grave of baseball legend Christy Mathewson, an abandoned World War 2 POW camp in Cumberland County, PA. Find a unique place to stay in the Susquehanna Region on Airbnb! Residing on what is now State Game Lands 252, the abandoned Alvira bunkers can legally be visited 365 days a year! Nest life ever! Based in the state capital of Harrisburg, Jim frequently travels around Pennsylvania and has visited, written about, and photographed all 67 counties in the state. The need for TNT production had been overestimated, and the entire operation ceased 11 months after it began. He has also traveled to more than 30 different countries around the world. If you opt to head inside, make sure to use extreme caution as you never know what kinds of animals might have decided to explore them as well. Open for only eleven months, the bomb … Cruising the Susquehanna River on Williamsport’s Hiawatha Riverboat, How to Get to Round Island Run Falls in Sproul State Forest, Visiting the Last Remaining Covered Bridge in Clinton County, Pennsylvania, Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland: A Reptile Lover’s Dream Come True. However, going inside is pretty cool if you have the opportunity because the echoes in these old bunkers are incredible. There are few things I enjoy more than legally exploring abandoned places in PA. Because of this, the Alvira Bunkers in Union County have long been on my list. They are within a few miles of the popular Clyde Peeling’s Repitland, which would make a great spot to visit while in the area. Nevertheless, several of the gravestones have been toppled and others are difficult to read. The Union County Historical Society has a few copies of the documentary “Surrender! 1787-1883 Alvira Road, Allenwood, Pennsylvania 17810 USA. Pennsylvania Be the first to add a review to the The Bunkers of Alvira. Alvira once had been a lovely, yet isolated, community. Old town-tomb stones date back to the early 1800's. It's where your interests connect you with your people. 1787-1883 Alvira Road, Today, little remains of the Pennsylvania Ordnance Works or the town of Alvira. Without a doubt, the Alvira Bunkers on State Game Lands 252 is a fascinating place to explore. One of the 149 abandoned Alvira bunkers in Union County. Residents were told at the time that they would be able to re-purchase their land when the war was over. However, if you need help, look for large mounds covered by trees and underbrush. The Bunkers of Alvira. Soon it was realized that the need for TNT had … The Alvira Bunkers are scattered throughout this area along the old roads that crisscross the land. We go on a Rabbit hunting adventure in Allenwood PA at the abandoned town of Alvira. While bunkers can be seen while driving the road, the best place to park for those wanting to hike deeper into the game lands is at the following coordinates: 41.136248, -76.959330. Please be aware that the bunkers and remains of Alvira are located on active hunting grounds, and are patrolled by rangers who will cite you for vandalism, etc. Plan your road trip to The Bunkers of Alvira in PA with Roadtrippers. Kept waiting for Zombies to attack. When I visited, I stuck to the main roadways, though I saw several bunkers that were located off of the main paths. This trail leads a short distance back to the original cemetery for the community of Alvira. As you are walking around State Game Lands 252, you might find a few bunkers that are open. In the time when vegetation came back to life in 1942, the federal government seized a small village in north eastern Pennsylvania called Alvira. The Alvira Bunkers are all that remains of a World War II-era military depot that was located in central Pennsylvania. You have to go on Mill Rd then Alvira Rd to find them. Each one, 47 feet in diameter, 24 feet high, constructed entirely of concrete. After the land of Alvira was seized, the Susquehana Ordnance Depot was built to manufacture and store explosives. Looking for more places to visit nearby? The need for TNT production had been overestimated, and the entire operation ceased 11 months after it began. On the land, they built the Pennsylvania Ordnance Works, which contained roughly 150 bunkers that housed munitions like TNT. The land just beyond this gate is the Allenwood Federal Prison but this area is still part of the state game lands.