Matthew Bender Studios

Caution : The Elements

Hampton Inn, Ephrata PA

My hometown. The Hampton Inn was built on the site of a historic resort and hospital dating to the 1840’s.

Closing around 1950, the sprawling 400-room Victorian complex remained vacant for decades. I remember it as the looming mansion on the hill in the center of town. Super spooky. There were many attempts at redevelopment through the 90’s and early 00’s, but nothing took.

Increasingly dilapidated, it became a popular site for urban exploration until being demolished in 2004. It’s now a Hampton Inn, an Applebee’s, and a parking lot.

Staying in the Hampton Inn was bizarre to say the least.

Wissahickon

Dinner and a movie