There are so many abandoned places in Virginia! This is a list of the top three abandoned places in Virginia. Browse through all abandoned places in Virginia

1. Union Level Ghost Town

From virginia.org:

Once a bustling stop on the horse and carriage line in the early 1800's, then rail line in the later 1800's and early 1900's, this unique remnant of times past was deserted once the rail line left.  

An entire line of store fronts and a church still line the country road here, surrounded by beautiful agricultural farms.  This site is a unique window directly into life a century ago.  

It stands along an undeveloped section of what will potentially be an extension of the growing Tobacco Heritage Trail, a Virginia Rails to Trails project.

2. Barton Mansion

At the heart of Barton Heights in Richmond Virginia State is a historic 1800s mansion that has been deserted for more than two decades now. Minor corner as it is popularly known was built in the late 1800s by a crooked businessman James H. Barton. His dreams of turning the mansion into a world-class palatial home were cut short leaving the building deserted.

What is the story behind this infamous building?

Back in the 18th century, corruption and other illegitimate crimes ran rampant in the USA, this was from government officials to local rich men who rubbed each other’s shoulders for friendly favors. A rich businessman by the name of James Barton was not exceptional in this kind of unscrupulous business and took advantage when he relocated to Richmond at the end of 1889. From his ill-gotten money, Barton started several successful real estate businesses including building the Corner Minor where he planned to reside. He later was forced to move out of town after his ill-gotten wealth came out in the public. The mansion was left inhabited for decades until when a new owner with intentions of renovating it bought it.

Why did the mansion become so prominent though it was never habited?

After the building was left to rot, it served the community in ways that they never thought it would. From being used as a polio vaccination center, sanitarium, home for widows, and a nursing home in the mid of 1900s. It benefited the community that every local came to know of it in a way.Hazards that kept people away from the disowned mansion, Being an abandoned building, the mansion attracted all sorts of illegal activities such as being a drug trap house for gangs. On top of that, some of the plants that grew in and around the house attracted dangerous animals like snakes, scorpions, and killer spiders. Some also feared it was haunted.

What became of the Mansion?

The mansion is now fully restored by Clark Glave who has a company that deals with the rehabilitation of old buildings. He spent 3.5 million US dollars to fully restore the mansion which is now open for tenants to rent. Clark, who was hesitant at first if he would pull off the project, was surprised how tenants flocked his agency trying to secure an apartment in the now modernized historic building. Restoration of the building is a good example of having hope and trusting in yourself no matter how difficult a situation might look at the beginning. Without hope, Clark could have given up on the building and it would have probably decayed and been abolished at some point.

3. Fleetwood Church

Coordinates 38°.5027 N, 77°.8901W

Fleetwood church is a former Methodist Church constructed in the late 1800s at Brandy Station, Culpeper County in Virginia. Daniel Wine, a local farmer, gave out a section of his farmland for the church to be built. Centuries later, the church stands deserted in a shabby state in between a cemetery and a railroad.

Is Fleetwood church haunted?

Many of the locals believe that the place is haunted, although it has not been proven they say some unusual activities take place in the building once in a while. The rumors are so serious that they attracted paranormal investigators who went to investigate if the claims are real. Though they have not obtained tangible evidence to support this, the investigators believe that the rumors might be true, putting into consideration that it was built on the grounds near the Civil War Battle that claimed so many lives years before. On top of that, some sections of the piece of land was used as a cemetery and not all of the bodies were exhumed when construction began.

What is next for the church?

Over the years Steve Pollett has tried to renovate and bring the historic church back to its former glory but this has not been as easy as he thought it was going to be. Though with limited finances, he has been able to do some minor changes and even influenced the paranormal investigators who are currently helping him raise funds to restore the church. With the help of the investigators, they have been able to raise a good sum of money though not enough. The church is still in ruins but Pollett is determined and hopeful that a day is coming when it will be fully restored as he plans to open it to the public once it is done. Anyone who feels like joining the team in restoration is invited to do so.