 Location: Pine Brook, NJ
Status: Burned down Old brochures found strewn about the dank, empty basement of this abandoned convalescent home still promise the best care and attention for your loved one, as well as a wonderful view of the unspoiled countryside. The countryside remains unspoiled, but what remains of the Hilltop Care Center is well, shall we say, spoiled? Atop a high hill consumed by overgrown trees, the empty shell of the Hilltop Care Center sits overlooking the very much alive town of Pine Brook. The broken black windows almost appear as vacant eyes that observe the very modern homes and cars that whiz past, the drivers of which who probably never notice their solemn watcher. I personally have not been able to find information on how long the Hilltop Care Center has sat abandoned, but one could assume that it’s been since the 90s. All of the tell-tale signs of vandals are there–the graffiti, the broken glass, the charred furniture, and the belongings of former patients strewn messily throughout rooms and hallways. As one tiptoes through the soft-floored hallways, solitary dust-covered gurneys, mattresses, and invalid beds can be spotted in random locations. Hilltop hardly had any unique features worth noting, however, it did have a pool in the basement. The rooms and hallways that made up the pool area were decorated with a very novel pattern of tiles. We discovered many pieces of furniture and handicap devices such as wheelchairs and walkers not only in the pool room, but in the pool itself. We also found it unusual that one end of the pool seemed to disappear underneath part of the floor of the pool room, making it so swimmers could swim with a roof over their heads! As far as the Hilltop Care Center being haunted, I do recall hearing stories from locals who have been visiting it for a long time. I’ve heard tales of doors that vibrate and refuse to open, and flashlights that flicker when roaming around the building in the dark. I experienced nothing of the sort during my exploration, but then again, I went during the day. I would imagine Hilltop is MUCH creepier at night! - Ember, 2004 |
GALLERIES
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