Dave Kennedy is at Former Village of Alvira sgl 252. Yes – use GPS coordinates 41.13618, -76.95924 to navigate to the first of several parking lots along Alvira Road. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. 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. REMAINS: 3 cementarys, 2 old church foundations, several house foundations. Alvira was a small farming town located at the southern end of Lycoming County and the western part of Union County, which is now partly state game lands and the Allenwood prison complex. The rest of the ordnance and farms were located on properties now owned or controlled by the Allenwood Federal Correctional Complex, Pennsylvania College of Technology, White Deer Golf Course and other individuals. The steep, but rewarding .75 mile climb up Piney Mountain takes you to a beautiful white and maroon colored quartzite rock outcropping where you can view the entire park. Can I navigate to the Alvira bunkers by GPS? Bunkers of Alvira – Allenwood, Pennsylvania - Atlas Obscura One of the 149 abandoned Alvira bunkers in Union County. Atlas Obscura and our trusted partners use technology such as cookies on our website to personalise ads, support social media features, and analyse our traffic. This place is situated in Union County, Pennsylvania, United States, its geographical coordinates are 41° 8' 3" North, 76° 57' 20" West and its original name (with diacritics) is Alvira (historical). Insert copy here, which should vary depending on your region. This leads into the game lands where there are numerous places to park and hike into the game lands. Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. Thus, the village of Alvira was seized by the federal government. The area is nicknamed "The Ordnance." Floor Plans for Underground Bunkers. Each bunker held 250,000 pounds of TNT, which had been shipped in in wooden crates. One of the bunkers that was built during World War II. The lost village of Alvira and a portion of the ordnance are located on 3,000 state-owned acres that are controlled by the Game Commission. 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 retired firefighter created this contraption so he and his family wouldn't die if accidentally buried alive. Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. We can custom build your new Underground Bunker to meet your exact needs. Winner will be selected at random on 03/01/2021. Our focus is on Top Of The Line Quality Products and Superior Craftsmanship. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. Along with the bunkers the government built a small, temporary town called Alvira, which had a population of around 100, all working a part of the operation. We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the world’s hidden wonders. ‹ ì}ks¹Òðg¨zþƒb It became Susquehanna Ordnance Depot and included 149 concrete bunkers, where munitions were stored. more... By Atlasobscura. The majority of the easily accessible bunkers are welded or locked shut, but some were left open. All rights reserved. The bunkers can more quickly be reached by taking the road to the right. Drive into the public game lands and the concrete bunkers sit just beside the main road. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. The Alvira Bunkers near Allenwood Free Charlie/ YouTube Over 100 igloo-like bunkers sit empty in the abandoned village of Alvira, Pennsylvania, which was built by the U.S. government in 1942, in the wake of the attack on Pearl Harbor. This is a Union County Bicentennial Passport opportunity. If you visit, you will find them, covered in vines and partially obscured by rust and debris. No purchase necessary. 150 storage bunkers, 17 miles of railroad track, 55 miles of roads, and 300 buildings replaced what was once the town of Alvira. Apr 10, 2016 - The Munitions Bunkers of Alvira, Pennsylvania - Please be aware that the bunkers and remains of Alvira are located on active hunting grounds, and are … To learn more or withdraw consent, please visit our cookie policy. The operation included 149 concrete bunkers for storing explosive materials. Alvira a farming community founded in 1825 as "Wisetown" and had 100 inhabitants by 1900 the town of Alvira contained a blacksmith … One of the most interesting features of the depot were the 149 concrete, “igloo-style” bunkers used for stable storage of explosive materials. 3, Pennsylvania (Derry Township in Westmoreland County) See. The need for TNT production had been overestimated, and the entire operation ceased 11 months after it began. The Bunkers 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. Many of the bunkers are hidden by brush or almost entirely covered by foliage during the warmer months. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. The Bunkers of Alvira. Today you can still see bunkers that housed munitions during this tumultuous time in American history. While the bunkers can be found throughout the game lands, the best place to start is from a parking lot along Alvira Road, adjacent to bunker #1. Old town-tomb stones date back to the early 1800's. A second abandoned place near the inn is the Bunkers of Alvira. View All 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. Alvira, Pennsylvania; Andrico, Pennsylvania (Derry Township in Westmoreland County) Appalacha, Pennsylvania (White Township in Indiana County) Aqueduct, Pennsylvania (West Wheatfield Township in Indiana County) Armerford, Pennsylvania (East Wheatfield Township in Indiana County) Atlantic No. Please click below to consent to the use of this technology while browsing our site. Many of the concrete bunkers remain as eerie concrete igloos. State Game Lands 252 is located in southern Lycoming County and northern Union County in the area of the former village of Alvira which was taken over by the United States government in World War II for a TNT factory and munitions storage. A small town which housed approximately 100 people; Eminent Domain was exercised on Alvira … Soon it was realized that the need for TNT had been overestimated, and the depot actually sat idle through the last years of World War II. Bunkers of Alvira. A tour of underground Berlin takes you through WWII air raid shelters and tunnels used to smuggle people out of East Germany. The Sudden Death of Alvira, Pennsylvania," which is available on CD at Otto's Book Store in Williamsport. In the valley, nearly five hundred feet below, lies Laurel Lake and its sandy beaches. Bunker Manufacturer. Most of the open bunkers have been vandalized and most contain at least one or two fascinating piles of junk. This decommissioned surface-to-surface missile resides outside the American Legion Post in Pennslyvania. Each bunker held 250,000 pounds of TNT, which had been shipped in in wooden crates. Sights will include the cared-for cemeteries of Alvira, remaining foundations of a lost community, and ammunition bunkers of World War ll. Opened as a state-of-the-art prison in 1829, Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia was the model for many future… In a matter of eleven months, Alvira was gone, replaced with 150 concrete bunkers. 150 storage bunkers, 17 miles of railroad track, 55 miles of roads, and 300 buildings replaced what was once the town of Alvira. Allenwood. The old munition bunkers are a must see. Alvira bunkers 1884-2198 Alvira Road, Gregg Township, Union County The government seized land in the town of Alvira and built a $50 million facility in its stead during World War II. 3 people watched. Forgotten German bunkers in China create a sharp cultural contrast. A subterranean relic of the Spanish Civil War hides below this picturesque park. Villagers from the tiny town of Alvira in northcentral Pennsylvania are … Private Trip: Croatia’s Abandoned Sites & Ancient Cities, Private Trip: A Culinary Exploration of Lisbon, Private Trip: A Mexico City Culinary Adventure, Private Trip: Chernobyl by Day, Kyiv by Night, Tales From the Museum w/ Kylie & Zak: The University Museum of Zoology, Cambridge, Tyler Thrasher Wonder Hour: Garden of the Ghosts, A Lockpicking Practicum With Schuyler Towne, Monster of the Month with Colin Dickey: Feral Children, How a Monster-Repelling Cake Became a Lunar New Year Staple, California’s Elusive Urban Lizards Can’t Hide From Citizen Scientists, Tapi Tapi Ice Cream Is a Sweet Education on African Liberation, Snails, Leeches, and Other Critters Are Right at Home on River Trash, The Architect Baking Bread Along the Border Wall, Meet the Experimental Violinist Forging Her Own Path, How a Blacksmith in Jordan Created His Own Sign Language, Berliner Unterwelten (Subterranean Berlin), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Deer_Hole_Creek#Ordnance_plant_to_federal_prison_and_game_lands, http://www.pabirds.org/siteguide/PASitePage.php?SiteID=158, http://www.littleblackstar.com/blog/2008/03/18/the-ghost-town-of-alvira-pennsylvania/. Each one, 47 feet in diameter, 24 feet high, constructed entirely of concrete. It’s possible that the bunker doors could be welded shut in the future, so exploring now is your chance! First sign in the game lands explaining the history of Alvira. 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. Offer subject to change without notice. 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. One of the most interesting features of the depot were the 149 concrete, "igloo-style" bunkers used for stable storage of explosive materials. XPro1 with Industar-50-2 Russian made oddball lens. Call now 801-661-3900. We have earned the reputation and America’s Best! According to local myth this cemetery is half evil spirits, half good—split down the middle. A rock maze opens up to a panoramic viewpoint at an abandoned mine full of ghost stories. The Alvira Bunkers are found throughout this area along the old roads. From US 15, take PA 44 West for 4.3 miles and turn right on Mill Road. bunkers of alvira is abandoned ammunition bunkers from wwii. During WWII, the U.S. government seized the village of Alvira in order to create the Pennsylvania Ordnance Works. Pole Steeple Trail Pole Steeple's blue-blazed trail starts in Pine Grove Furnace State Park and ends in Michaux State Forest. Accept Welcome to the Alvira (historical) google satellite map! They Alvira bunkers are located in the Union County portion of State Game Lands 252, approximately 7 miles south of Williamsport. Today, the concrete bunkers sit abandoned in public game lands. THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 100 BUNKERS THAT CAN BE FOUND BY GPS. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. ´¿™È5邍*—:[ږãUˆj™3¡ôR×¼ùHc—ºÊþ¥µéžN ÅU©ÁFíF«à2tóq˜1ªØ@ó„ªß*dî°é¨2÷6›6øê7æºë5TkѼZŽ­6ì¹Ñtÿ2‡|˜ë.quøkٞ¾Ðÿ€¶/uoÎÙñ_‹º¹xù–¼sØB÷Ä6üðâ²}Ò4:D!Aµ+,Êë[ZŽf;Ìu›¢°Ût™Õ$ÐPkŒsUG‡J-3Ǝ7ÔvëDÓ¦b|†!öÜò,—LkÁ £é~šÈ~ÂÂ?¾~M>ò)U=ËY輏B[ÿ Փ_ ¤K:'t×6KIJkbynŒHÝÔØUL-ð–u² WŠkê¶Í¼¡Òßõ1ø€]>4¨3c"ãRטf(mY]Ô±*5-S‡žßس,]x¢„. Some of … The govt took the town after WW2. Bunkers Of Alvira – Allenwood, Pennsylvania - Atlas Obscura. 1787-1883 Alvira Road, Allenwood, Pennsylvania 17810 USA. Go 1.4 miles and turn right on Alvira Road. Ownership of the land was broken up over the years with sections given to military testing and correctional facilities, but the land where the concrete bunkers were built was returned to the State of Pennsylvania and designated as game land. For the diligent explorer there are also a few remains of the old village of Alvira in the game lands- easily found are the remaining cemeteries, but explore a little and one comes across stone foundations from some of the larger buildings of Alvira that were mercilessly torn down. Underneath a chalk hill in France lies what Hitler hoped would be the underground launching base for a devastating new weapon. Be careful during hunting season! © 2021 Atlas Obscura. 2 days ago . Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). 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.