One of the Hudson Valley’s most famous ruins has recently been demolished. I’m glad I was able to get these pictures before it disappeared forever. This is what I wrote about it in 2014 when these pictures were taken:
“This magnificent edifice looms over the intersection of routes 343 and 82 in the town of Millbrook, Dutchess County, New York. It’s Halcyon Hall, the main building of what was once a 200 room luxury hotel when it was built in 1893. In 1907 the Bennett School for Girls relocated here from farther south in Irvington, NY and so things remained until expensive updates and a shift towards co-educational schools caused the school to finally close down in 1978. It’s been abandoned since then. It’s reputed to be haunted by the ghosts of girls who committed suicide there and who still roam the halls. If it’s not a true story it should be.
It amazes me that a splendid building such as this can be allowed to decay and fall apart. I imagine it’s past renovation now, but once upon a time it wasn’t. I suppose that the economics were against it. After all what would you use a building such as this for in Milbrook, NY. I’ll let Wikipedia have the final word:
‘Halcyon Hall was never reopened and quickly fell into ruin. When the heat was turned off, water pipes burst, causing major water damage throughout the building. Large portions of the roof have collapsed and trees can be seen growing through parts of the building. Halcyon Hall remains in this state as of 2014. Halcyon Hall is a popular area for Urban Explorers, and Photographers, due to its structure and decay. Several attempts were made in the 1980s to develop the property but all failed and the title was taken over by Mechanics and Farmers Savings Bank. The bank failed in 1991 and its assets were seized by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Halcyon Hall was scheduled to be demolished in 2012.’
In April, 2014 it’s still there. I imagine that eventually it will fall apart by itself. Or some kids will break in and be injured or killed and then they’ll decide to demolish it.”
Anyway now it’s finally gone!
Taken with a Sony Nex 5n and Sony E 55–210 mm F4.5-6.3 OSS
