Nostalgic Visit

bobman1235

When I was a kid, my family used to go to this resort called "Sunrise Resort" down in Moodus, CT. Well, it was actually called "Frank Davis" for most of the time I went there (80's, early 90's), and when my parents went there as kids it was called "Ted Hilton's," but same place, different names. By the time we stopped going I think the official name was "Sunrise at Frank Davis Resort."

Anyway, we went there through most of my childhood; the last time I was there was the mid-90's, which in retrospect seems impossibly long ago.

In 2008, the place closed down for good, and the state bought the land. Since then it's basically been left to sit and rot, but is still technically open to the public as state park land. Since I learned this (via a Facebook Group, oddly enough) I have been dying to go down there and explore, both for nostalgia but also because I'm strangely fascinated by abandoned human-created structures.

Well, I read (in a completely uncorroborated report, but still read it) that the state is planning on demolishing a lot of the buildings sometime soon (there's been a lot of vandalism and whatnot going on in the intervening three years, so I'm surprised they waited this long), so that gave me the kick in teh **** to go down and visit, and the weather's supposed to be nice, so I'm heading down this Saturday. It's only 2.5 hours away, seems like a cool enough little day trip to take with the dog. I'm hugely excited to see the place, even in its decrepit state.

Why post this here? Well, first I'm curious if anyone has ever heard of or been to this place, which would be a fun coincidence. It was very much like the resort in Dirty Dancing, as a frame of reference for those who might not be familiar with this type of resort.

Also curious if anyone else shares my fascination with abandoned things. I know there are entire groups dedicated to exploring abandoned amusement parks (which seems exceptionally creepy for some reason).

I'll be sure and post some pictures after the trip for people to enjoy; I don't have a fancy camera or much in the way of photography skills but I'm sure a few will come out cool.

mrbiron

I personally have never been nor ever heard of the place although i used to go to Colchester a couple times a summer to visit family in the late 90's. To my recollection, there was never any mention of it.

I grew up on an old mill town. There were/are buildings everywhere that you can rummage through. Was fun then, probably still now.....except for tetanus.

agfrost

I understand the attraction. My family went to Vos Resort on Lake Vermillion, MN growing up (and my mom went with her family as a girl, too). It was sold/renamed after we stopped going there (White Eagle Lodge, I believe?). I haven't been there since the late 1980s, but would like to get back there, perhaps take my wife & two boys to keep up with tradition, to see how my memories match up against what's there today.

scottyboy76

Hell yeah man

As you get older, things and places from your youth become priceless, hope you have nice weather for your trip.

When i was a kid, out deer hunting with my dad and his buddys from work, i would sometimes come across OLD places in the middle of thick isolated woods, some of which i could still go into and look around and look out what used to be windows and imagine the lives of people living off the land, isolated in the middle of south georgia, no telling how long ago.

Maybe throw a crowbar in the trunk, if you come across a sign or decorative piece on a building that you remember, maybe pop it off and take it home, they are gonna tear it down anyway.

Have a safe trip.

bobman1235

Thanks Scotty. The weather is supposed to be PERFECT. I am irrationally excited about this trip.

A crowbar will definitely be on hand, but considering it's been abandoned for three years, i'm not holding my breath.

bobman1235

Took a bunch of photos here : https://plus.google.com/photos/112368489351017526235/albums/5661494171425774113?hl=en

Got a few "souvenirs" - mostly old signs and stuff. Nothing too exciting.

BeefJerky

Wow, they really left everything. Anybody need some tables, chairs, bed sets, PA speakers or a generator? How about some industrial refrigerators and freezers? Or a ping pong table?

It looks like it was a nice place back in the day, though.

bobman1235

Lots of catering equipment too. It's crazy. In the office, there was lots of official paperwork, including bank statements and stuff like that. If I didn't know the story, I'd swear it was a Roanoke situation or alien abduction and everyone instantly disappeared overnight.

I added a few photos I had found of how the place used to look, side by side with a similar view today. Sad.

BeefJerky

Are you sure there wasn't an alien abduction? The "story" could just be a cover.