Lecture Notes: Urban Exploration YouTube Channels

Herck Hill - YouTuber Chris Hill

• Channel Focus: Urban exploration of extreme abandoned locations in the US.
• Exploration Style: Visits alone, even to places others wouldn't dare at night.

Exploration of Paul Rivier Elementary School

• Location: Cleveland
• Closure: School closed in 2015 due to declining enrollment.
• Current Status: Abandoned, severely damaged by elements and vandals.
• Exploration Experience:
  • Bottom floors flooded, walls peeling, debris everywhere.
  • Encountered another person's flashlight; likely another explorer or squatter.
  • Found a mannequin set up to scare visitors.
• Notable Features: Abandoned library with usable materials left behind.
• Challenges: Encountered strange noises possibly indicating presence of others.

The Proper People - Brian and Michael

• Channel Focus: Genuine footage of abandoned places exploration.
• Reputation: Known for authentic and trustworthy content.

Exploration of The Gemon Center

• Location: Northport, Alabama
• History: Former psychiatric hospital, closed in the late 1970s.
• Exploration Experience:
  • Structure heavily damaged, risk of collapse.
  • Encountered a light suggesting another presence, no response to calls.

Exploring with Tom

• Exploration of Ridgley Hospital
• Location: Lancaster, UK
• History: Known for humane psychiatric treatment.
• Exploration Experience:
  • Loud exploration led to a hostile encounter with a man.
  • Theories suggest the man might have been a disturbed squatter.

Abduction Story and Exploration

• Victim: Elizabeth Shoaf (abducted in 2006)
• Perpetrator: Vincent Filia (died in prison 2021)
• Escape: Elizabeth sent a text to her mom; Filia's plan foiled.
• Exploration by Big Banks (2023): Visited the hideout, found potentially related items.

Chris Hill's Exploration of Holton Avenue

• Location: Cleveland, Ohio
• Notable Site: Abandoned church and surrounding areas.
• Experience: Found signs of recent human presence, heard unexplained noises.

Rhythm Ryder

• Exploration of a Private Residence
• Condition: Most possessions intact, indicating minimal looting.
• Disturbing Find: Body stain suggesting the previous resident died alone and unnoticed.
• Lesson: Importance of checking on loved ones regularly.