Inside This Beautiful Abandoned School

Рет қаралды 49,795

6 жыл бұрын

Visited the abandoned J.W. Cooper School in Shenandoah Pennsylvania. This beautiful school was built around 1918 and houses an incredible auditorium and the oldest pool in any school in Pennsylvania. Amazing architecture in this place.
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*CHECK OUT some other videos of mine! *
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#abandonedschool #abandonedpennsylvania #mobileinstinct

Пікірлер: 220

@MobileInstinct 6 жыл бұрын

Taking you on a tour through the beautiful J.W. Cooper School in Shenandoah Pennsylvania with my buddy Jay. Hope you all are well and enjoy the tour!

@northernexposurephoto 6 жыл бұрын

Awesome!

@tmntforever2684 6 жыл бұрын

Mobile Instinct love exploring with you Chris your awesome

@Jen-zk9se 6 жыл бұрын

I just recently found your channel and I love it! It would be great if you did a video on why/how you live this adventure :)

@doug3959 6 жыл бұрын

Enjoy your content and quality. Do you have an upload schedule or time goal for new vids?

@thedoxinator3934 6 жыл бұрын

Mobile Instinct Chris where have you been ...over a month since your last upload

@j.w.coopercommunitycenters273 6 жыл бұрын

Thank you Jay for a great documentary on the J.W. Cooper Community Center, formerly J.W. Cooper High School. I enjoy reading the excellent questions from your viewers and the responses. I'll try to answer as many as I can. The building was converted to the elementary school in 1985 and abandoned in 1992/3. The little square hole in the classroom is a register and the vent was to the upper left. Almost every room and the auditorium have them. They all are connected to the room above and below and exit (4) large vents on the roof. The asbestos was remover and passed the air quality test in February 1989 by the Reading, PA Remediation Lab. Mold is not an issue, although there is lead paint. The borough did not have the funds to tear down the building (it is a depressed area 30,000 inhabitants at one time, now less than 5,000) so a 501c3 was formed to save the structure and turn it into a community center with a bussiness / innovation center to help stimulate the local economy. Initially, 20 tons of garbage, large amounts of drugs and squatters were removed. The structure was stabilized and over 500 window panes replaced. Water and power has been restored and the roof (partially seen on the video) is being repaired. An elevator will also be installed. It will take years and millions to restore the 50,000 square foot building. We can be contacted at jwcoopercenter@gmail.com or visit our website at jwcoopercenter.org or visit our Facebook page at J.W. Cooper Community Center. We thank Jay for his video.

@MobileInstinct 6 жыл бұрын

J.W. Cooper Community Center, Shenandoah PA Great information Thank you!

@DianeC. 5 жыл бұрын

Hi!!! My Mother ♡ attended this school.She was a majorette!!! She graduated from there!!! Her cousin was a cheerleader!!!

@isabelllarose816 3 жыл бұрын

did ur mom love it here or

@journeywithjay 6 жыл бұрын

Man this came out Soo good. I had a blast exploring with you. Can't wait for our next adventure.

@queenofyeay 6 жыл бұрын

Wow. I took the time to read the cover page of the report issued by the Shenandoah School District dated August 11, 1942 that you found in that locker. As that was a report issued during the early stage of US involvement in WWII and both of my parents served in the military during WWII I was very curious as to what the report contained. The gist of the report, from what I read, was regarding the condition of Shenandoah's buildings in preparation for the coming 1942-43 school year. The reason for the report was as a result of the catastrophic event of March 4, 1940 when the ground under the city of Shenandoah sunk into the coal mines under the city causing damage to many streets and buildings including many of the schools. The result was that students from both the High School and the Junior High School were temporarily forced into classrooms in the several Elementary Schools which remained undamaged. Based on the title of the report I am surmising that as this was during WWII and the materials needed to repair/restore the damaged schools would have been considered to be of urgent need to the War Department, the report was to detail the need for the school district to receive a PRIORITY rating from the War Department in regards to the need of such materials required by the Shenandoah School District to repair it's schools. That report was probably considered a pretty important document to anyone in the town with children in school at that time and especially for any of the school board members, principals, teachers and school employees of Shenandoah! Pretty cool, I wish you had shown the rest of the report...

@MobileInstinct 6 жыл бұрын

MISTERComaToes There was some work done to the school at that time. I was told some giant steel supports were put in but I was unable to find them. Pretty interesting stuff for sure.

@j.w.coopercommunitycenters273 6 жыл бұрын

One of the steel beams is located on the lower South stairwell heading to the gymnasium. It was obviously added after the original construction due to its location midway down the stairs and cutting through the steps and molding.

@karm1439 Жыл бұрын

Wow Thankyou for the tour and also Thankyou to the commenter who told us some history about the school. Can you imagine how cool it would be to restore this gem to its glory ? With that pool and auditorium?? They could display those Books and old papers. So cool! My high school dated back to 1853!! It’s still running till this day! I was too young at the time to really appreciate the history enough.

@linyonglan 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for posting this! My grandfather was from Shenandoah, born in 1921. He said there was a pool in his school, so we used to joke how rich he must have been to have had a pool in his school growing up in the Great Depression! It was really neat to watch this video. What were the two bright sources of light in the deep end of the pool? Underwater pool windows? You noted the deep end was about six four, but how much dirt was there? May I suggest pinning the comment from the "J.W. Cooper Community Center, Shenandoah PA" ? Again, thank you for the video. I've never been there, but since my grandfather graduated from that school it was not just another old building exploration video for me.

@tommack9395 4 жыл бұрын

I had to swim in that pool twice a week (1976-1980) and used to avoid it if I could... they always over-did the chlorine in it. My father went there and was born in 1921 too.

@windyridge9591 5 жыл бұрын

It's so sad that we are letting our old buildings just fall apart. America is a young country compared to Europe. We should do more to save our historic architecture. Thanks for sharing and exploring👍

@benkai09 6 жыл бұрын

the little cubby hole undeer the black board is likely for a small set of steps considering the tiny water fountain

@spadina6234 5 жыл бұрын

That is exactly what it is for, glad people still know about the good old days.

@familytreenutshistorygenealogy 3 жыл бұрын

It’s incredible to go in places like this. They have such an energy.

@jimsaintamour2 4 жыл бұрын

It would be awesome to rescue that piano! And to see what sheet music was laying on top of it

@mgreathouse521 6 жыл бұрын

Did anyone else notice that the auditorium looks like the one that “Lean On Me” was filmed in?? I swear, I can picture Mr. Clark walking down the aisle way

@tommack9395 4 жыл бұрын

I been in that auditorium hundreds, maybe thousands of times when it was still used, pep-rallies, presentations, programs, special announcements from the principle (Mr. Kurtz), classes (I had two classes basic music and rock music in that auditorium), and I performed on that stage my senior year (Sr. Class-night)... It used to have this massive stained glass in the ceiling. I graduated from that school in 1980, my sister Ann graduated in 1976 and my father in 1938, my eldest sister went to Shenandoah Catholic. Anyway, There were three buildings, the Cooper, the Wilson - across the street - and the White building which was next-door to the Cooper. Those comprised (or were used as) the H.S. when I went to S.V.H.S. but the Cooper was the main building. The White building was the oldest (built in the 1880's) and a tunnel ran between the Cooper and White buildings.

@SmallWonda 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tour; yes, I can understand for a small community this would be an expensive project to fund and justify, but the historic value of it ought to be something for the state to preserve, as I haven't seen a school like that before. The other irony is with the old school books - how we had to keep them in perfect condition, how expensive they were and how often we had to share as the school couldn't afford a book for everyone - to see them just piled up mouldering away is a sorry sight, shame they couldn't have been shipped off someplace while still of use... Good luck with the restoration, and Happy Travels.

@TitaniumSporks. 5 жыл бұрын

I'm late but the cubby under the chalkboard is for ventilation. It should go straight up. My high school had them too, you could stand in them.

@iteachgr8kids 6 жыл бұрын

Wow! Great video! As a teacher, I love explorations of old schools! It was awesome that this school was virtually untouched with graffiti and vandalism. I love your videos, man! Keep up the great work!

@queenofyeay 6 жыл бұрын

I took the time to read the cover page of the report issued by the Shenandoah School District dated August 11, 1942 that was found in that one locker. As that was a report issued during the early stage of US involvement in WWII and both of my parents served in the military during WWII I was very curious as to what the report contained. The gist of the report, from what I read, was regarding the need for a PRIORITY rating for the school district in regard to the condition of Shenandoah's school buildings in preparation for the coming 1942-43 school year. The reason for the report was as a result of the catastrophic event of March 4, 1940 when the ground under the city of Shenandoah sunk into the coal mines under the city causing damage to many streets and buildings including many of the schools. The result was that students from both the High School and the Junior High School were temporarily forced into classrooms in the several Elementary Schools that remained undamaged. Based on the title of the report I am surmising that as this was during WWII and the materials needed to repair/restore the damaged schools would have been considered to be of urgent need to the War Department, the report was to detail the need for the school district to receive that PRIORITY rating from the War Department in regards to the need of such materials required by the Shenandoah School District to repair it's schools. That report was probably considered a pretty important document to anyone in the town with children in school at that time and especially for any of the school board members, principals, teachers and school employees of Shenandoah! Pretty cool, I wish he had shown the rest of the report...

@JGM1721 6 жыл бұрын

Another winner! It was really decayed in many places. It is also nice to know that the spiral staircase was removed and reused. So often, everything is just left to ruin. Thanks.

@theexplorons9306 6 жыл бұрын

One of the better abandoned school videos I've seen, but you should wear a mask in places like that. There could be asbestos and black mold. Take care of yourself.

@pamzilla6388 6 жыл бұрын

A friend of mine has been holding fund raisers to try to restore this school.

@duncandmcgrath6290 6 жыл бұрын

Love the content of this channel , your upbeat commentary is why I subbed.

@paulstan9828 6 жыл бұрын

Been looking forward to another video. Thanks!!

@booklove6319 6 жыл бұрын

I have just discovered your channel and have almost binge watched every video now lol Thank you so much for sharing your travels you are visiting all the places I would love to explore so I am living my dream through you.

@drewcharpentier8670 6 жыл бұрын

With the condition of the US and our horror of a news feed, this is a major breath of fresh air. When you stumbled on that 1942 memo I imagined the stress and effort it likely took to type that out. And how all the importance of that memo has long faded w time. And how numbered our days really are. And I feel quiet. Quiet and better.

@MobileInstinct 6 жыл бұрын

Drew Charpentier Very well said!

@gillianbaxter5825 6 жыл бұрын

Super cool video as always. Thanks for showing us this amazing building

@lindamesa4941 6 жыл бұрын

wow you have really been missed !! This school looked pretty solid when you first walked in ! Then the decay started to show, too bad! You can tell it is old from the fixtures! I am so glad your back !

@MobileInstinct 6 жыл бұрын

Linda Mesa Thanks Linda!

@tmntforever2684 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tour of this amazing building Chis glad you didn't fall through one of those massive holes!

@customscreenprinting 3 жыл бұрын

thanks for sharing with me this video about the Abandoned J.W. cooper school in shanandoah pennsylvania it was a real unsafe school and it was really interesting video and i really enjoyed it and i can't wait to see your next video and God Bless and thanks again.

@nancysesok7682 4 жыл бұрын

Just watched the video with my mom. She graduated from there in 1947. She played basketball on that court during her high school years. My cousins also went to school there. The school was closed from 1940 to 1945 because the mine underneath shifted and there were cracks in the school. They had to make significant repairs. My dad and aunt graduated from Cooper without ever stepping foot in the actual building.

@juliejones3621 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the great video. I loved the pool!

@czatron 6 жыл бұрын

You guys are the coolest! Thanks jay!

@journeywithjay 6 жыл бұрын

Czatron On hey thanks!!!

@RuthyD 6 жыл бұрын

Another great exploration video! Really well done. The other explorers better look out because you're fast becoming a favorite!

@MobileInstinct 6 жыл бұрын

Ruthy D Thank you Ruthy!

@InfamousCrimeLocations 6 жыл бұрын

I follow Jay as well. Great job, you guys show different perspectives. :)

@matthewhaney7629 6 жыл бұрын

Awesome building, my friend and I explored it June 2018, Got some great photos.

@cindysplace 6 жыл бұрын

Excellent as always. Thank you.

@anitamitchell3452 5 жыл бұрын

Informative video ... informative comments. Chris, you have some knowledgeable followers. Thanks for the video.

@kathycagg6531 6 жыл бұрын

That was a blast from the past for me! Took me right back to grade school in the 50’s. That rope hanging in the gym . . . that cursed rope! Hated that thing in school! Funny how seeing things like that bring up memories. Great tour, Chris! Thanks so much.

@MobileInstinct 6 жыл бұрын

Kathy Cagg Glad you liked it Kathy : )

@sallykohorst8803 Жыл бұрын

I found an older video of you and i enjoyed it alot.

@rsuriyop 5 жыл бұрын

@ 8:24 Most likely someone had planted that silly leaflet there because it's dated "1991" - 5 years after the school closed its doors for good.

@theslaughtering8550 6 жыл бұрын

Nice exploring

@Karrietay 6 жыл бұрын

I love how u get straight into the content!! Love the places u explored! Subscribed 😊

@MobileInstinct 6 жыл бұрын

Karrietay Thankyou!

@shojingod 4 жыл бұрын

The little cubby holes under the chalk board are used as small storage. Common use is the hold class room decorations based on season lesson plans as well as school supplies stock or books. In some school it was also use as place to keep student shoes to change over from boots used during winter if the school does not have lockers.

@roadweary5252 6 жыл бұрын

I went to several elementary school similar to that and the cubby below the board was mainly used by the teacher for storage. I remember those old school stair railings the the urinals vividly. The last of the old schools I went to here in Massachusetts were gutted in the mid-2000's and are now condos. Nice video man! Good to document the history before it goes the way of the wrecking ball (or crane)

@juanchacon2163 6 жыл бұрын

Hi, bro wow really cool video, amazing you found those paper 76 years olds , Greetings from COSTA RICA !!! Pura vida

@Schnot 6 жыл бұрын

Holy shit. This is just over the hill from my house! My grandad went to that school.

@abandonedroadside 3 жыл бұрын

Great find!

@mm0901 6 жыл бұрын

Yay!!! A new video!!!👏👏👏🎉🎉🎉

@dillankbaum 6 жыл бұрын

Exploring these abandoned places seems so fun. Hard to find good stuff like this in California without going out to the desert...

@elizabeth1703 6 жыл бұрын

Back at it! At last!

@christel3742 6 жыл бұрын

I could spend hours going through the papers and books. Thanks for the awesome tour!

@MobileInstinct 6 жыл бұрын

Christel Nance There was some interesting paperwork in that room!

@racheldianeames3729 6 жыл бұрын

YOUR VIDEOS ARE SOOO AWESOME AND INFORMATIVE .) .) .)

@ihrinio 6 жыл бұрын

The exterior of the school reminds me of the school in fo3 you see right after you exit the vault. Other than that i love your videos. Really enjoyed this one!!

@starkconplays 6 жыл бұрын

20k subscriber special? Nice vid!

@theslaughtering8550 6 жыл бұрын

Always good content

@LeslieLove 6 жыл бұрын

This is awesome!!!

@tacticalmattfoley 6 жыл бұрын

That wheelchair gave me chills.

@Wrench245 6 жыл бұрын

Wow! I expected quite a bit of vandalism and, happily, I was wrong. The schools I went to as a kid were built around the same time, but I don't ever recall seeing a cubby hole like that. I'll ask a friend that works for a contractor that remodels schools about it; I don't expect much, as I had to explain what a cistern was to him a year or so back, but I'll relay anything he can tell me. How long until you're on the road again?

@nealanpaulaking9708 6 жыл бұрын

Wow cool auditorium

@heidip5042 6 жыл бұрын

love old schools

@urbex...beyondtheentry2536 6 жыл бұрын

Nice explore...loved the pool!!! ✌🏻️

@elgiacomo 6 жыл бұрын

Very cool!

@adamtereska8734 4 жыл бұрын

Was here touring in November (?) 2018 and it is an incredible exploration.

@DavidJones-ct7fw 3 жыл бұрын

I've had to explore the food bank in this school a few times in the last few years. Nice people.

@buddy8225 5 жыл бұрын

That cubby was were they put all the naughty kids into when they misbehaved. LOL 🤣😁😎👍

@propdoctor21564 6 жыл бұрын

Another interesting video as always. Thanks for the tour. I also went over and subscribe to Jay's channel so I'll have to start sifting through his videos now too. Back in the 1970s in Sheboygan Wisconsin I attended James Fenimore Cooper School which was grades kindergarten through six.

@journeywithjay 6 жыл бұрын

propdoctor21564 thanks I appreciate that

@technicholls 6 жыл бұрын

Really nice explore. Would have been interesting to read more of that letter (7:00) about the 'catastrophe' in March of 1940.

@hazevthewolf178 5 жыл бұрын

I can't say for sure, but I suspect that the little cubby below the chalkboard is a dumbwaiter, something that would allow trash to be conveyed to street level for disposal.

@davidmoore1094 6 жыл бұрын

Indiana here. Lots to explore here.

@bigpun7916 4 жыл бұрын

Great video , i can smell the mold ! Congratulations you invented smellivision ! .

@victoriaallen7329 6 жыл бұрын

I love your videos, especially abandoned places. Ever experience weird stuff like ghosts, or walk in on a squatter?

@MobileInstinct 6 жыл бұрын

Victoria Allen Thanks Victoria! No ghosts yet but I've come across some homeless before.

@victoriaallen7329 6 жыл бұрын

Mobile Instinct abandoned places are so fascinating to me. Like a big time capsule. I'm always afraid I would be the one to run into things that you wouldn't want to run into lol

@tjhanlonjr 5 жыл бұрын

I actually had Mrs cuff for a teacher

@christopherhouge5465 3 жыл бұрын

That was awesome how you move the camera through the window on the door

@ericmcquiston9473 5 жыл бұрын

I'm surprised that school is in that good of shape, good job Chris !

@DooDooRanger 6 жыл бұрын

Am I the only one that noticed that when you first walked into the gym Jay walked out in the background and saw you filming and popped back behind the wall real quick? 😂

@GreggObst 6 жыл бұрын

The cubby hole below the chalkboard was probably for storage of chalk, erasers, etc. I remember similar storage areas under chalkboards when I was in elementary school in the early 70s.

@Maxid1 4 жыл бұрын

I'm amazed at how much window glass is left unbroken.

@tuniabjc9659 4 жыл бұрын

it seemed like some of the books weren't in as bad a shape as other there which surprised me interesting things. The check for 1.500 suprised me as that is a lot of money for back then and more than I get a month today.Thanks for sharing this with us

@mysticangells 6 жыл бұрын

Beautiful old building .. Shame it wasn't looked after or restored .. Thanks for sharing

@MobileInstinct 6 жыл бұрын

mysticangells There are plans to restore it one day and turn it into a comminity center. Money is always the issue though!

@themoviedealers 6 жыл бұрын

What was publication date on those textbooks? Be interesting to know last time it was in use as a school.

@screwthecabal6453 3 жыл бұрын

I'm 55 and I remember my elementary school had the same type of urinals built into the floor and walls.

@kevindunleavy854 4 жыл бұрын

I have a row of 4 Auditorium seat like those from South High,Youngstown,Oh.I have them in my hallway as a Mini Browns Dog Pound section,complete with some of my Browns memorabilia from the 60's - present.

@thomaslong8548 6 жыл бұрын

Cubby hole is where you kept extra chalk and erasers.

@angellizd5975 6 жыл бұрын

In the gym.. the top I believe is a running track

@airfona 6 жыл бұрын

I was just about to point this out. It is a running track. I think you only see these in schools that were located in cold climates. The kids could run indoors.

@tjhanlonjr 5 жыл бұрын

I was the last class to go to that school

@gordonmusic6936 6 жыл бұрын

Thx

@blue8ify Жыл бұрын

Cubby hole… perhaps for storage of teaching supplies, books, or seasonal decorations. There is NEVER enough storage for a teacher.

@co.agmusic 6 жыл бұрын

Jay sent me over

@journeywithjay 6 жыл бұрын

CO.AG Music thanks bud

@johngage1397 4 жыл бұрын

the wheelchair looks recent , not that dusty . nice channel , I did some exploring with decay is headed your way back a few years ago .

@dansweet2499 4 жыл бұрын

Wow it's in fairly good condition in some places

@michelled5778 4 жыл бұрын

itd be amazing if they restored it to all its glory

@slainteron4027 6 жыл бұрын

Another Great one. I was wondering if there has been any time that you went exploring like this and got approached by authorities or citizens asking what you are doing there etc. Might be an interest side vid to do and tell the stories

@MobileInstinct 6 жыл бұрын

Ron Buckley Not too often really. Sometimes I've been approached by a local but we just end up talking at length once they realize I'm not there to damage anything.

@craighuxtable746 5 жыл бұрын

The gymnasium reminded me of the one in the movie Hoosiers.

@TomSmith-io9uk 6 жыл бұрын

My old High School was like that but much bigger. Same gym type and Auditorium.

@TomSmith-io9uk 6 жыл бұрын

I was initiated on to the football team by being thrown into a pool just like that with my pads on.

@RimfireRat 6 жыл бұрын

they knew how to build em 100 yrs ago

@jacobmatthew2000 6 жыл бұрын

Cool Videos! The space room under the chalk board is for the school "GARBAGE CAN" :-)

@mm0901 6 жыл бұрын

I'm always surprised that you don't come across more critters and live animals. Do they just scurry away when they hear you coming??

@MobileInstinct 6 жыл бұрын

mm0901 Haha if they do, it's fine by me

@lindacanode3853 6 жыл бұрын

Hope every things ok miss your Vlogs

@designersmakitbetter 2 жыл бұрын

Philadelphia public schools look exactly the same. Original marble walls and stone floors. Unfortunately, although they are basically historical schools, they are inner city public schools and most of them aren’t properly taken care of. They are dark, filthy and depressing. Very difficult to learn in those environments. The auditoriums definitely reminds me of my high school. It would be interesting to learn about Philadelphia’s oldest school.

@deendrew36 4 жыл бұрын

Mrs Cuff’s room looks like it was recently used, what with the plant and all. 🤔

@IcelanderUSer 6 жыл бұрын

Are you from New Jersey by chance? If so there’s a double decker movie palace in downtown Newark that was built in 1927 ish that is open for anyone to walk into. They tore down a build next to it which makes getting in easy. Just saying in case you want to check it out. It closed in 1968 and has decayed like you wouldn’t believe. It’s amazing how much the world changed after the automobile and highways came to be. Newark used to have a half dozen movie palaces. Now none.

@MobileInstinct 6 жыл бұрын

B bo That place sounds amazing