Rolling Hills Asylum

A Brief History: Rolling Hills Asylum is located at 11001 Bethany Center Road, East Bethany, New York. Originally a farm, it was built in 1827 as the Genesee County Poor House. It was opened as a refuge for some of the less fortunate members of society, such as widows, orphans, and the handicapped. Also eligible for assistance at the home were drunkards, lunatics, and vagrants. So, widows and orphans were forced to intermingle with the mentally ill and other less desirable members of society. It continued to operate as a County Home until 1974, when the facility was closed and the inmates (as they were called) were relocated to a new facility in Batavia, NY. There were over 1700 documented deaths and hundreds not recorded over the years. Those who had no family were buried on the grounds and records indicate that there was once a cemetery, but little is known about it and it has faded away with time and nature. The building sat empty for nearly 20 years when it was then opened in 1992 as Carriage Village, a mall of unique shops. Now the building is privately owned and operated as a museum and hosts paranormal investigations.

Haunted History: With so many deaths and bodies buried here over the years, it’s no wonder it is considered one of the most haunted locations in the U.S. Many occurrences of paranormal activity have been reported at the asylum. Unexplained voices, slamming doors, footsteps, and even full body apparitions have been experienced. There are also many stories of shadow people, unusual touching, and a plethora of EVP recordings from investigators. Some of the locations in the asylum said to have had activity reported there are: a room located on the first floor of the east wing know as Hattie’s Room, another room of a former “inmate” known as Roy’s Room, the second floor of the east wing, the psych ward, solitary confinement, the morgue, and the cemetery. If you are ever able to visit the asylum be sure to say “hello” to Hattie and be on the lookout for Roy, a seven-foot tall shadow man that still resides here. Although the home has been closed for many years. It was the only home for many of its inmates and they just may not be ready to leave yet.