Sleighton School originally opened in 1910, relieving the House of Refuge. This was designed as a community and school for troubled girls, to help change their lives around. Most the land was donated to make this school possible. This was also a farm school so many girls did farm related things and got an education there. I'm not quite sure how anything changed from then on to the closing, but I know it became co-ed in 1985. The school eventually closed in 2001, due to financial reasons. I believe Elwyn managed the school beginning somewhere in the 90's. I know the school is up for sale now for $14 million, but I'm not sure what the plans are for it yet if there even are any.
Now here I go with the reason I created this blog. I want people to know about what I call a historic landmark. For people like me who love historic buildings and nature, you really need to go here. There really is no law enforcement or security that I know of, so anybody can come here anytime pretty much. Just I recommend you stay out of buildings and all that because they are dangerous. Remember too that vandalism is a crime. This is great for people of all ages too, just as long as you don't attend to vandalize. And I believe that if more adults with good intentions go, the vandalism will stay away.
Let me talk about the condition of these buildings. Right now, the school is in restorable condition. Most of these buildings look great from the outside at least. These were made to last. Many of these are stone buildings, and whoever built these did an amazing job. The problem is, more and more kids are going and not all, but most of them are destroying these buildings. There are also copper strippers who are doing there share of the damage. Then of course you got mother nature, doing her share. Vines damage the exteriors and humidity/temperature changes damage the interiors. There is also some water damage. That's why I wish they did a better job keeping this place up.
Now what happens to the place now? To be honest, I hope something happens soon before these buildings fall beyond repair. My biggest fear though, and something likely, is that some developer will buy this, cut down all the trees, level the buildings, and build houses. I'm doing everything i could to help eliminate that possibility, which this blog is one of them, awareness. Maybe someone will see this blog and decide to buy this place and restore it. If anybody wants to help save this place or have any ideas on how, I would be happy to hear. Time is running out for Sleighton. Remember that once these buildings are gone, they're gone forever. You can't bring architects back from the dead.
My dream for this place is to first of all, have the property cleaned up and have every building restored, to look the way they used to. Then I would like to see it become a school again, or even just a community for troubled youths, or for everybody. Restoring these wouldn't be a ridiculous price either. Between the potential volunteers, land grants, and donations, the cost wouldn't be as steep as some may think. Remember too the structure of these buildings are in great shape. My biggest dream is just for this to be saved, these buildings are too beautiful to be destroyed.
Now like I said, I'm really into to this stuff so if somebody has stories or anything, share. And if you want to help spread awareness, share my blog. There is also a wonderful facebook page called Sleighton Farms Views , dedicated to the same thing as this. And also, if you want to help save it too, go do what you want to do or contact me about it. If you want to email me, it's michael8dan5@yahoo.com.
You have to check this out yourself to get the full experience, but here's some pictures courtesy of Sleighton Farms Views. There are many more and they're still coming. Also, check out Chuck Van Horn's facebook for historic images.
Check out my newest post on the development plan: http://unknowhistoricsites.blogspot.com/2013/05/beginning-of-end-for-sleighton-5413.html
Chapel
There's a new follow up post here: http://unknowhistoricsites.blogspot.com/2012/08/sleighton-farm-school-follow-up.html for anyone interested.
11/5/12 Check out my new post for more pics and info: http://unknowhistoricsites.blogspot.com/2012/11/sleighton-update-11512_5.html
Awesome.....there are also photo's uploaded on FLICKR by someone else, too.
ReplyDeleteAnother blogger uploaded her images.....I believe it is Road Less Traveled.....
BD
There's a new follow up post on this blog about Sleighton for anyone interested
ReplyDeleteHonored that you used many of my images of the Sleighton Farms that I took this past spring, 2012. Now I am trying to get images of the old oak trees with their acorns while they still hang onto their branches. Some of those old trees are so grand and impressive.
ReplyDeleteIf you want to see a nice tree there's an impressive sycamore tree on the other side between two other abandoned house, one has a six foot ceiling. If you go there look out for the farmer though, I almost got caught by him. Also look out for the cops, they patrol the property in the school side.
ReplyDeletelooks are deceiving as an ex resident of sleighton farms I can say that. check the history. That place has a lot of bad memories for people.
DeleteBatteanna Green, it almost seems like the school changed at a certain period of time. Talking to people that were there in like the 50s-early 70s most refer to it as a good and rewarding experience. After that I found that sleighton seemed more like prison in the more modern times, and I've heard that glen mills school is pretty bad too. Maybe it was the transition from a farm school to a regular juvenile school.
DeleteI went to this school. And from personal expierience it was about a 50/50 with me depending on who was working with what dormitory.at night time us girls had a view of the backyard and at night you would see great big bats flying around .and thank god they gave most of us trazadone otherwise we wouldn't be able to sleep . It was a co-ed place but we really didn't have too much interaction with the boy dormitory other than playing games such as soccer or going to school.
DeleteCheck out my newest post on the development plan: http://unknowhistoricsites.blogspot.com/2013/05/beginning-of-end-for-sleighton-5413.html
ReplyDeleteI was in Sleighton from 12/21/67 until 8/20/69. What happened to all of the little dongens they had when they put the girls in when they didn't listen. I could tell you stories you would not believe. Ms. Ambrose worked ther along with her short partner (for got name) remember Ambrose because she was so large (about 7" tall). I was 13 when I was in ther and left when i was 15. I am now 59, long time ago. All I did to go their was run away and stold clothes because I didn't have any & my mother did not want me. She only wanted me to watch her other 4 kids. Well if anyone has to share any thing my e-mail is rrockmore@northamptoncounty.org. When I was their there were also some deaths. The dum waiter was also a neat feature in LM II on the second floor to dispense the food. I hope some one from that time remembers and gets in touch me. Thanks for letting me share.
ReplyDeleteHello,
DeleteI worked at Sleighton the summer of '69. I was only 19 years old. What I saw at Sleighton affected me deeply. I thought the ways the young people were treated was extremely harsh and unnecessary. Many, if not most, of the girls at Sleighton, should never have been there.
I also worked at Sleighton for a short time after graduating from college. I have to say that I got to know many of the girls very well and poured everything I could into helping them move through the experience and do the best they could with their lives.
Henrietta died in a fire in 1971 (or 1972)that she set when she was restricted to LMII. Very terrible situation
I hope you are doing ok now.
Wanted to let you know that the short partner's name was Joyce Neil. You may remember my Mother, Mary Ellen Kirk. I know she treated all the young people with kindness and respect.
Peace,
Ann Marie
AUGUST 2013
DeleteANN MARIE: Please....get in touch with me by email.
BABS562@gmail.com
I am hoping you may be local....or we can talk in more details....in private.
I was just there last night. Check out my facebook page for images..... Sleighton Farm Views.
I was there in the early 1970s I lived in Robinson Cottage. That place was coed when I got there. Boys lived in Watson and Washington Cottage. Girls were in Robinson Dubois and Lincoln. I was about 11, 12 years old and I was also there for running away like most of the girls. At the time I was the youngest one in my Cottage and some of the girls thought they could pick on me but unfortunately I was a fighter and that landed me in the dungeon numerous times. Unspeakable things happen to you there, I'm still haunted by those things now and I'm well into my fifties
Deletehey im interested to hear about how they treated some of the kids. this info will really help my research..
Deleteyou can contacted me at alyssaweidemann@gmail.com
Jnetlh@yahoo.com..
ReplyDeleteBeautiful stone architecture. Like this stuff too! Guess I'm not the only one into older things. Hope it's not demolished.
NO YOU ARE NOT.....check out my facebook page for more images in albums.....sleighton farm views.
Deleteif you know anyone that ever worked there or went there....let me know. have a wonderful day.
I was confined to sleighton farms in 1991-92 also for running away from abuse of every kind. If you were there durring that time or any time please email me at batteanna34@gmail.com. my name is tamara g. you can also respond to this post
DeleteI was there 91-92 LM2cottage
Deletejust so everyone knows, this property is owned by Elwyn. it is patrolled by security as well as state police and is private property. chances are you will be changed for trespassing if you are found in the property.
ReplyDeleteI WORKED AT SLEIGHTON FARMS FOR THREE YEARS RIGHT BRFORE THEY CLOSED. WE HELPED ALOT OF TEENAGES GET THEY LIVES TOGETHER.MY NAME IS MS LEEAND I HAVE FOND MEMORIES FROM THAT PLACE.
ReplyDeleteI to went to Sleighton farms. My name is Kia, and I stayed in Campbell cottage. If u were there 3 years before it closed than u were there the same time. Do u remember Mr Capers, Ms Gandy or Ms Walker.
DeleteMs.karren do u remember me I am Nicole conti. I was the little girl who cried a lot about being there.
ReplyDeleteI wanna hear about some experiences from Sleighton, someone reach out pleaseee !!! Abobon2@gmail.com my little sister went there a few days ago and is now talking about paranormal activity?
DeleteYeah I remember them omg ....
ReplyDeletenice place to spend the day and take some pics. happy exploring everyone, stay safe. :)
ReplyDeletecan anyone tell me more about this place i wana know the history an everything tgat wen on here.
ReplyDeleteI was there in the mid 70,s , but , not for a very long time . I was contemplating on how to get out of there . My first attempt , I had on two sets of clothes , and when I got into the woods and took off the first set . When I reached a road , I started hitch hiking . A yellow fire chief vehicle stopped and picked me up . I had told him my mother was dying and I needed to get to Scranton , So he took me to the State Police Barracks , to get help with where I needed to get . Well this trooper was on the phone and asked what color my eyes were , told him and he said that's one of our girls . With that I ran out the door and took that trooper for a three mile run , before tripping over a tire , Oops caught I was ! Was taken back to Sleighton Farms and put in confinement for a week . (What happened in confinement wasn't nice .) My second attempt was successful , although I had to stay at a place for runaways , in Philadelphia for a few days . Got tossed out of there because a group of girls started a fight with me and I fought back . Got a hold f a friend and got a bus ticket out of there .
DeleteHello I was there in 1996 i was there for two years I was in a house off campus but when I was there it was some great staff there ms.carrol ms.walker mr woodoff mr.walker mr. Montgomery I had a good experience when I was there it really help me
DeleteI was there in 1959 or 1960, for a couple years. I was 12 or 13 then. I am so glad I was there or I may have ended up in more trouble. All I did was run away from one parent because I didn't like his second pick as a wife/family. My mother was never around after may parents divorced,so, if it wasn't for Sleighton Farm, or Martha P. Falconer private school for girls, I would not have turned out a better person!! I learned cooking, how to take care of a home, education, art with a little man who I think was from Germany or Russia! He was amazing in his works and was such a patient person. My last cottage was I believe ROBINSON cottage. I remember so many of the girls...Freida Pembleton, I believe, Bo Philips, Jackie Speller, and so many more. I have such fond memories of all that I learned. Too bad there isn't a place like that now, but of course parents today say, NOT MY KID!! Even though they do not have a clue about the whereabouts of their children! I am now 70 and was so glad I was there and so grateful for all that I learned there. I remember running the PBX, not that anyone may know what that was then. But the experience of all the learning there will always be with me. My e-mail is: tcccncoke@yahoo.com if anyone from my time is still around and would like to share. My last name was Warner.
ReplyDeleteMy parents both worked for Sleighton Farms in the 1970's. I spent the first 2 years of my life there being I was born in 1972 and we didn't move until 1974. We lived in the farmhouse I believe off Valley Road. Neither of my parents like to talk about it much. It seems to bring back bad memories for them. What stories I have heard are hard to imagine for me. I've heard of a death of a little girl there. I also know my mom was pregnant and I had a brother born New Years day in 1974. I've never met him because something happened to him there. Not sure what but my dad is sure to hang up the phone and change his phone number if I ask about Joel. That was my brothers name. I know our family left Sleighton Farms after his birth\death. My mother believes there was some cult or witchcraft stuff going on and she gets upset even hearing the name of the school. She believes they took Joel, my brother. My dad said once he died in childbirth, which my mom says is not true. He says the Quakers donated a plot and while my mom was recovering from a difficult childbirth they buried him, but he can't remember where. I've tried to research what I could but can not seem to locate this grave my father spoke of. I did learn that Quakers do not donate burial plots to non Quakers. Anyone from that era at Sleighton Farms that may have information would be greatly appreciated. I'd like to find my brother. Dead or alive I just need to know what happened to him. We would only be 2 years apart in age. I can be reached at jacqueliney469@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteMy dads sixteen year old cousin died there in 1913. Her death was listed as pneumonia but the family thought she was murdered. She had unexplained bruising and a mark on her neck, like she was strangled or hung. I don't know why she was sent there. Does anyone if there are records on file somewhere?
ReplyDelete