Rolling Hills Asylum
Rolling Hills Asylum is a former facility for the poor and ill in the Town of Bethany in western New York State, now known as a destination for paranormal exploration. The multistory building from the early 19th century extends across several rooms and hallways, some still showing old furniture and worn floors.
The facility was founded in 1827 as the Genesee County Poor House and served over decades as a poorhouse, hospital, and nursing home for people without relatives. More than 1,700 documented deaths occurred at the site over time, though the actual number is believed to be higher.
The name Rolling Hills comes from the gently rolling countryside around the building, and the structure itself shows typical 19th-century design with long corridors and high ceilings. Many visitors today use the rooms as a setting for ghost hunts, often working with electronic equipment to try contacting the dead.
The building offers both shorter tours and overnight explorations, with stairs that can be steep and hallways that may be dark. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes and bring a flashlight, as many areas are only dimly lit.
Television crews have filmed paranormal shows in the rooms several times, with some crew members reporting unexplained events during filming. The building also sits on the Haunted History Trail of New York State, a route connecting historic places with ghost stories.
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