About Hill View Manor
On October 19, 1926 the Lawrence County Home for the Aged, in New Castle Pennsylvania, opened it’s doors for the first time. In addition to the elderly the home was also intended to cater for the destitute and the mentally ill. The home was managed by Perry Snyder, and his wife Mary who had previously held similar positions at the New Castle City Home, which the Lawrence County home was intended to replace.
The Snyders remained in charge until 1944 when they were accused of incompetence and forcibly retired. Control of the home passed to Mantz B. Hogue, the director of the welfare department.
The focus of the home shifted over the years and by the end of the 1960s it had become a highly skilled nursing center under Director Clarence E Covert. So successful had it become that by the 1970s the home was facing severe overcrowding issues. A new North Wing was added, and the existing building was remodeled at the same time, with everything being completed by 1977 when the building was renamed Hill View Manor.
Despite the effort put into the building the facility only enjoyed a comparatively short working life after that. Financial constraints led to the closure of Hill View Manor in 2004, and no new use was forthcoming for the building.
Is Hill View Manor Haunted?
Given the history of the building it is no surprise that there have been many reports of supernatural encounters here over the years. The building manager claims to have seen apparitions standing in front of her, and to frequently communicate with the spirits. The Manor is now known as one of the most haunted sites in western Pennsylvania.
Visitors today will find Hill View Manor an imposing sight, since the building closed in 2004 little has been done in the way of maintenance, it is unheated, and only has an electricity supply in a small part of the premises. The peeling paint, and dark, shadowy rooms provide an eerie atmosphere for any visit, and flashlights are essential if you are here after dark.
Those brave enough to enter the building have reported light anomalies, shadow figures, doors shutting or opening of their own accord, unexplained footsteps, and objects being moved.
A tour here will include the old nurses station, which now has its counter covered by notes visitors have left to those who died here. There is also a dungeon-like cellar to explore which has been used to store uncollected personal belongs that were simply abandoned after patients died and no relatives could be traced to inherit the deceased personal effects.
Who knows what spirits you may encounter at Hill View Manor? Rob, as the center manager calls him is one spirit who has been known to appear full body, and to speak to visitors. He is even said to have followed someone home.
Mary who lived at the home in the 1990s still appears to be a resident there. She has a fondness for jewelry and baby dolls, and many people have left some for her.
We can’t say whether you will meet these spirits or have an entirely different supernatural encounter at Hill View Manor. What is certain is that you will not forget your time at this former nursing home.