Houston, Texas, known for its vibrant culture, booming economy, and sprawling urban landscape, also hides a fascinating array of abandoned places that reflect the city's past. From forgotten industrial sites to empty hospitals and decaying hotels, these locations offer an intriguing glimpse into what once was. Here are 10 of the most captivating abandoned places in Houston for urban explorers and history enthusiasts.
1. Jefferson Davis Hospital
Built in 1924, the Jefferson Davis Hospital was one of Houston's first public hospitals and served the community for decades before it was abandoned. The hospital was notorious for being built on top of an old cemetery, which fueled rumors of hauntings. Although it has been partially repurposed as loft apartments, parts of the building still carry an eerie, abandoned feel, with decaying walls and empty rooms that reflect its haunted past.
2. Kellogg Building (Houston Main Building)
Formerly known as the Houston Main Building, the Kellogg Building was part of the Baylor College of Medicine complex. It was abandoned after the medical school relocated, and the building sat decaying for years before being demolished. Before its demolition, it was a massive structure with empty labs, dark hallways, and a ghostly, institutional atmosphere that drew in urban explorers and photographers.
3. The Day After Day Inn (North Houston)
This former hotel, located along I-45 in North Houston, has been abandoned for years and has become a popular site for urban explorers. The once-functional Day After Day Inn now sits in ruins, with graffiti-covered walls, broken windows, and debris scattered across the floors. The once-bustling hotel now has an eerie, post-apocalyptic atmosphere, making it a fascinating, if dangerous, spot for those interested in abandoned places.
4. Astroworld Site
Astroworld, once a beloved amusement park, was closed and demolished in 2005. While most of the park has been cleared, remnants of its former attractions and foundations still remain in certain areas. The abandoned space where the park once stood holds an eerie silence, with the ghostly outline of the once-bustling amusement park still remembered by locals. The empty lot now serves as a reminder of the fun and excitement it once brought to Houston.
5. Northwest Mall
Northwest Mall, once a popular shopping center in Houston, was closed in 2017. Today, the large mall stands empty, with its store windows boarded up and parking lots overgrown with weeds. While there are plans for redevelopment, the mall's vast empty spaces, dark hallways, and decaying storefronts currently create a haunting atmosphere, providing a glimpse into the decline of once-thriving retail spaces.
6. Alabama Theatre (Trader Joe’s)
The Alabama Theatre, built in 1939, was once a grand movie theater in Houston’s Montrose neighborhood. After its closure in the 1980s, the building became a variety of businesses, most notably a Bookstop and later a Trader Joe’s. Though parts of the building have been repurposed, remnants of the original theater, including the curved Art Deco walls and intricate ceiling, still exist. Its vintage interior provides an eerie contrast to the modern grocery store below.
7. Riverside General Hospital
Formerly known as Houston Negro Hospital, Riverside General Hospital was an important institution for the African-American community in Houston. The hospital was abandoned in the 2000s after years of financial trouble. Its empty halls, decaying patient rooms, and overgrown grounds now serve as a haunting reminder of the city’s segregated past. The deteriorating building, with its rich history, offers an eerie but compelling exploration site.
8. Wilshire Village Apartments
Wilshire Village, built in the 1940s, was one of Houston’s earliest large-scale apartment complexes. After being abandoned in the early 2000s, the apartments became an eerie, overgrown jungle in the middle of the city, with broken windows, decaying interiors, and overgrown vegetation taking over the property. Though the complex was eventually demolished, it remains a legendary site for Houston’s urban explorers.
9. Lambrecht’s Auction Building
Located in the Heights, the Lambrecht’s Auction Building was once a hub for the auctioning of antiques and valuables. The building has long since been abandoned, and its empty rooms, crumbling walls, and graffiti-covered interiors make it a popular spot for urban explorers. The decaying structure, along with its connection to the history of commerce in Houston, gives it a haunting, industrial feel.
10. Houston Light and Power Building
The Houston Light and Power Building was once a vital part of the city’s power infrastructure but has since been abandoned. The large, industrial building is filled with rusting machinery, decaying electrical equipment, and dark, empty rooms. Its industrial decay and the stark contrast between the machinery and nature slowly reclaiming the building make it a fascinating site for exploration.
Conclusion
Houston may be a rapidly growing and modern city, but its abandoned places offer a haunting glimpse into its past. From decaying hospitals to forgotten hotels and industrial ruins,
