Urban Explorers across New York may already be familiar with one of our state’s most fascinating urban ruins, but to many Empire State residents, this unique treasure has remained a guarded secret. Out past the majority of our Finger Lakes, you’ll find the small village of Dansville, where a lively hotel once thrived. Today, this abandoned castle in New York also known as Dansville NY Castle on the Hill stands crumbling. Are you intrigued? Read on as we unfold the story of this hauntingly beautiful, abandoned place in New York.

Going by several different names over time, you may know this place as the Dansville Castle, Jackson Sanatorium, or simply the Castle on the Hill.
Abandoned Castle In New York
George V/GoogleMaps
It all started when an underground spring emerged through a rock in Dansville in 1798, now known as Breakout Creek.
George V/GoogleMaps
After it was discovered that the water had healing powers, a businessman by the name of Nathaniel Bingham bought the property in the early 1850s. Bingham learned of the mineral water and thought that this would be the perfect place to set up a spa. Residents of Saratoga Springs, this seems like it would make sense...right?
Unfortunately after opening the Dansville Water Cure in 1854, the business never really picked up, forcing Bingham to sell the property.
George V/GoogleMaps

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The next in line to take over the property for a considerable amount of time would be Caleb Jackson in 1870, calling it Our Home on the Hillside.
George V/GoogleMaps
A true believer in the magic of hydrotherapy, Jackson once found himself nearly on his deathbed, using hydrotherapy to help him gain his full health back. After making quite the name for the castle, in a sad turn of events a knocked over lantern would send the entire place up into flames in 1882. Jackson quickly had the castle rebuilt in a matter of a year, making sure this time that it would be completely fire-proof. Unfortunately, it wouldn't be too long after that patients would begin dying down in numbers, finding modern medicine to be more appealing than hydrotherapy.
The last real knight in shining armor to bring the castle back to life? Bernarr McFadden! McFadden bought the property in 1929 and named it the Physical Culture Hotel. If you can't tell by the name, McFadden was a huge fitness guru, holding annual events that had people walking on foot from Dansville all the way to New York City.
Abandoned Castle In New York
George V/GoogleMaps
McFadden managed to be the only owner to ever really turn this property into something magical. During the time of the Great Depression, he created a hotel and hospital that while curing the ill also served as a place for celebrities to indulge themselves. McFadden was a man of wealth, using his money to make the castle something extravagant and unforgettable. One of the favorite events for visitors to partake in? Late-night dances on the roof under the stars which gave them panoramic views of Dansville, a sight to be seen.
After living a life worth a thousand lifetimes, McFadden passed away in 1955 at the age of 87 years old. It was only six years prior that McFadden had celebrated his 81st birthday by going parachuting, a character to never be forgotten.
George V/GoogleMaps
A man by the name of William Fromcheck would go on to take over the hotel until a steady decline in visitors forced him to close the castle doors forever in 1971. This was the last time the castle would be full of life.

Over years and years, rumors of the castle being restored swirled around town, only for it to continue to wither away.
Never had the chance to see what this abandoned castle in New York looked like? Never had the chance to see what this abandoned castle in New York looked like? Watch the visual tour brought to you by YouTube user Brian Sterowski to see what this abandoned castle in New York looks like today:
Brian Sterowski/YouTube

Get a closer look at this abandoned place in New York:

New York’s abandoned Castle on the Hill in Dansville is certainly spectacular, even after all these years! Do you have any other tidbits about this crumbling abandoned castle in New York? Let us know in the comments.

Next, are you as obsessed with castles as we are? Do you ever want to pack up the car and get out to see them? While it isn’t abandoned, this New York castle has its own unique story too. And, you can stay overnight in it!

The Story Behind This One New York Castle Will Fascinate You

 

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More to Explore

Abandoned Castle In New York And Related Info

Jennifer | January 29, 2023

What are some more abandoned places in New York?

While Castle on the Hill is one of the most well-known abandoned places in New York, here are some more spots that are worth mentioning: 

  • Girl Scout Camp, Beechwood State Park
  • Ghost Town of Tahawus, Newcomb
  • Overlook Mountain, Woodstock
  • Muttontown Preserve, Syosset
  • Renwick Smallpox Hospital, Roosevelt Island
  • Bennett School for Girls, Millbrook
  • Bannerman Castle, Pollepel Island
  • Rockland Psychiatric Center, Orangeburg
  • Fort Tilden,Breezy Point
  • Abandoned Subway, Rochester

Be sure to read our previous article to learn more about these abandoned places in New York.

Are there any castles and mansions in New York?

Castles and mansions in New York include:

  • Bartow-Pell Mansion, The Bronx
  • Clermont, Germantown
  • Frick, New York City
  • George Eastman Mansion, Rochester
  • Governor Reuben Fenton Mansion, Jamestown
  • Gracie Mansion, Manhattan
  • Hyde Hall, Cooperstown
  • Kykuit, Tarrytown
  • Locust Grove, Poughkeepsie
  • Merchant’s House Museum, New York City
  • McClurg Mansion, Westfield
  • Mills Mansion, Staatsburg
  • Mount Vernon Hotel Museum And Garden, New York City
  • Nicholas Roerich Museum, New York City
  • Olana, Hudson
  • Phelps Mansion (Binghamton)
  • Rose Hill Mansion (Geneva)
  • Schuyler Mansion, Albany
  • Seward House Mansion, Auburn
  • Skene Manor, Whitehall
  • Springwood, Hyde Park
  • Vanderbilt Mansion, Hyde Park
  • Wilderstein, Rhinebeck
  • Yaddo, Saratoga Springs

Dansville's Castle on the Hill isn't the only castle in New York, that's for sure! The Empire State is full of unique, historic mansions and fortress-style "castles" that are open for tours.

Are there any "true" castles in New York that aren't mansions?

"True" castles in New York include:

  • Bannerman Castle, Fishkill
  • Beardslee Castle, Little Falls
  • Belhurst Castle, Geneva
  • Belvedere Castle, New York
  • Castle Gould, Sands Point
  • Castle Rock, Garrison
  • Hempstead House, Sands Point
  • Lyndhurst Mansion, Tarrytown
  • Oheka Castle, Huntington
  • Olana Historic Site, Hudson
  • Reid Hall, Purchase
  • Singer Castle, Hammond
  • Ward's Castle, Rye

Of course, if a true castle (on a private island, no less!) is on your New York must-see list, the infamous Boldt Castle is well worth the boat ride and ticket price.

Keep in mind that these are primarily private residences/properties. Please do not trespass or disturb occupants.

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