Torrington Drive-In

Smack in the middle of nowhere with the closest thing being a closing Kmart a few miles down the road sits a hidden gem left over from the 1950's. The Torrington Drive-In located in Burrville, CT was built as a one screen theater in 1950 holding over 400 cars. With the fast and steady decline in popularity for drive-ins the theater closed to the public in 1981. In the late 80's and early 90's the site was considered to be the new home of the Litchfield County Courthouse but those plans never came to be. So today the land sits empty occasionally being the landing point of 1,000's for Connecticut Bike Week.

You never really realize how large those screens are until you are standing bellow one. The trees in which the screen is wired too are permanently grown together as one.

Drive-in.com

CT Route 11

In Eastern Connecticut sits an under funded, deserted, and unfinished highway that goes by the official name of CT Route 11. While traveling this road to nowhere it is almost certain you will be alone with no fear of rush hour traffic. Originally proposed to be a direct route from Colchester to Interstate 95, this indirect Route drops you off in the small town of Salem. The year 1972 was the last year of construction leaving a half finished highway with a large unpaved portion complete with carved mountains, two overpass bridges and storm drains.

Plans to revive the construction have been brought up countless times over the years with proposed tolls to fund the project, but each attempt has failed.

Photo by Google Maps

Photo by Google Maps

Abandoned Village of Johnsonville

Knock on the door this October and say "Trick or Treat" and there will be no answer. While walking through the now abandoned village of Johnsonville is East Haddam, CT you can help but think to yourself "Where is everybody?". Johnsonville was once a thriving Mill Town in the 1800's with twin mills creating powers from the villages pond. Raymond Schmitt purchased the 52 acre property in the 1960's with intention of turning it into a Victorian tourist attraction, he transported most of the building that lay on this quiet piece of land from near by communities. The horse stable was used for weddings and fundraising functions but in 1994 this all ended when Schmitt got into a dispute with the town permanently closing the village to the public.

As of October 2014 the village remains abandoned but is to be put up to bid for $800,000 which raises the question... Wouldn't it be cool to be a Mayor of your own town?

 Inside the General Store

Photos taken by Michael Parisi and Michael Ackler of Abandoned CT

Showcase Cinemas

Everyone has been to one and most people go all the time, Movie theaters have been round for generations. This particular cinema is ideal, dark theaters, no crying babies and no lines for the bathroom… Well it would be ideal if movies still played here. This theater located in southwestern New Haven County has been closed for almost a decade. Nature has already started to take its claim back on the parking lot and vines climb the walls. Soda fountains sit dry and projectors are on permanent standby.

Keep in mind, Trespassing is Illegal! Explore at your own risk and be safe

Status Update: Demolished 2014 to make way for a new ShopRite

 Popcorn anyone?

 From Screen looking back

 Back to front

 Screen

 Going up to the projection room

                                            2005 (Picture by Mara Lavitt NHR)                                                            

 Present day 2014