It isn’t every day that we stumble across an abandoned place in Pennsylvania that’s as intriguing or spooky as the one we’re going to feature in this article. The old Monongahela Hotel was originally built back in 1911, and it had many decades of good times before it finally closed. At just $4 per night in some instances, this hotel was a favorite place among weary travelers looking to hang up their hats for the night. It was more than a hotel – it was a whole shopping experience if you wanted one.

Highlighting the beautifully eerie work of Cleveland-based photographer Johnny Joo, discover more fascinating abandoned locations across America in our Vacant Series. These unique man-made structures have been left abandoned and are slowly being reclaimed by nature.

Editor’s Note: Due to the nature of abandoned destinations, many of the places featured in this series are off-limits to visitors or have actually been demolished. We do not condone trespassing and other illegal activity but rather encourage readers to enjoy learning about these fascinating destinations. 

It's dead quiet now, but once upon a time, this place was bustling.
Johnny Joo/Odd World Studio, Contributed Photo
There was a men's furnishing store on the ground floor to the west side. There was a bar on the east side. The lobby was in the center, where everyone checked in for their (hopefully pleasant) stay.
Brownsville was a busy place at this time, with many people traveling through at any given time for an assortment of varied reasons.
Johnny Joo/Odd World Studio, Contributed Photo
In 1923, the building was sold to the Monongahela National Bank. Instead of occupying this space, it was decided that a new 110-room facility would be built on the premises for lodging and shopping purposes as the bank took hold of the original property.
The new hotel would have the capacity for 200 people, as well as a coffee shop and state-of-the-art parking area, as vehicles were growing in popularity and many guests needed a place to park for the night.
Johnny Joo/Odd World Studio, Contributed Photo
Things wouldn't last for long, unfortunately. Despite numerous attempts to bolster income for the hotel, the efforts proved fruitless, and the place was forced to eventually declare bankruptcy. In 1931, the building was sold once more.
Later, the place was acquired by Earle Milner Hotels and leased out rooms at just four dollars per night. Once again, though, it was not to last.
Johnny Joo/Odd World Studio, Contributed Photo
Within just a few years, business had declined enough to call it quits. The hotel once again went up for sale and was eventually purchased by a man named Frank Bock at an auction. Hotel rooms would eventually be converted to apartments.
Meanwhile, in the outside world, things weren't going much better for Brownsville.
Johnny Joo/Odd World Studio, Contributed Photo
Structures, including homes, offices, and schools, were being left time and time again. The town's population declined tremendously, and again, the building found itself drowning in a world it simply never seemed to belong in.
Finally, during the 1990s, the building closed its doors for good. Today, the hotel sits quiet and alone in downtown Brownsville.
Johnny Joo/Odd World Studio, Contributed Photo
Exploration is not permitted and is strongly discouraged. These old buildings are indeed fascinating – if they weren't, we wouldn't write about them – but they are also unsafe.
It's best to sit back and admire the work of those who do decide to take the risk and enter these places.
Johnny Joo/Odd World Studio, Contributed Photo
There's something so enchantingly eerie and beautiful about photographing abandoned buildings, and this old hotel is a dream come true for anyone with a weird penchant for the vacant and forgotten.
Every old, abandoned, crumbling building has a story to tell...
Johnny Joo/Odd World Studio, Contributed Photo
...as long as you're listening.

Special thanks to Cleveland-based photographer Johnny Joo of Odd World Studio for the photos used in this article. For more images, check out his website, Architectural Afterlife. Discover even more spooky places in Vacant: Inside 13 Eerie and Fascinating Abandoned Locations Across America. 

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