In today’s world of skyrocketing home prices and even small homes selling at inflated rates, it’s hard to imagine a perfectly good house being left to rot in the woods. But that’s just what happened with a massive mansion in New York. Knollwood Estate was, quite literally, a house fit for a king. The crumbling ruins of this once-grand palace are now part of the beautiful Muttontown Preserve. This is one of the most luxurious abandoned places in New York, though little grandeur remains.

Zog I was the leader of Albania from 1922 until 1939. He had a tumultuous reign, serving as president, prime minister, and king. After Albania fell under Italian rule in 1939, Zog fled to Great Britain.
Bain News Services/Wikimedia Commons
He ended up exiled from Albania and was unable to return to his home country. He lived in many countries throughout the remainder of his life.
In 1951, Zog I purchased the Knollwood Estate in Muttontown. The 60-room mansion had been constructed in 1920 for Charles Hudson, a steel tycoon and Wall Street trader.
Neil R/Flickr
Zog intended to move into the mansion, but never did. It sat empty for years, with rumors swirling that Zog's riches were hidden inside.
Neil R/Flickr
Looters and vandals ransacked the house searching for the supposed treasure. The abandoned mansion rapidly fell into ruin, and in 1955, the property was sold.
Gabby Zimmerman/Alltrails

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In 1959, the county government tore down much of the remaining structures on the property, citing safety concerns.
David Weinberger/Google Maps
The mansion's remnants are now part of the beautiful Muttontown Preserve, and can be explored via the park's trails.
Libby Eisemann/Google Maps
Little remains of this once-grand palace, other than a few pillars and some garden staircases.
Gleb Beleavski/Google Maps
Graffiti artists have spray painted much of what is still standing, a poignant fate for a mansion fit for a king.
Augie Ruckdeschel/Alltrails

You can find out more about the trails at Muttontown Preserve from our friends at Alltrails.

Have you hiked the trails at Muttontown Preserve to see the ruins of this abandoned place in New York? Share your experiences in the comments!

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Muttontown Preserve, Muttontown, NY 11791, USA