Did last month’s episode make you want to visit the lost village of Alvira? Ethan and Holly (with the help of researcher Meag) have put together a list of tips and tricks for doing just that!
Listen here: https://feeds.captivate.fm/pennsylvania-life-legends-lore/
Remember to follow Pennsylvania Life, Legends, and Lore wherever you get your podcasts to stay up to date on new content!
Exploring the Alvira bunkers
Today, the bunkers are all that remains of the Pennsylvania Ordnance Works, a World War II-era military depot that obliterated the town of Alvira in 1942. Although gradually being reclaimed by nature, these concrete igloos, nearly 80 years old now, have fared remarkably well on the inside. They lay hidden in the woods of State Game Lands 252, just a few miles south of Williamsport.
Where exactly are the abandoned Alvira bunkers located?
The Alvira Bunkers can be found just west of Route 15 near Allenwood in Union County, Pennsylvania. They are located within the Union County portion of State Game Lands 252, approximately 7 miles south of Williamsport within a few miles of the popular Clyde Peeling’s Repitland, (which would also make a great spot to visit while in the area).
The bunkers are scattered throughout this area along the old roads that crisscross the land. Each is numbered and they create a fascinating anomaly in this beautiful landscape.
The official PA Game Commission map of SGL 252 shows the location of all the bunkers – all that is required of modern explorers is to do the bushwhacking!
It should be noted that since this is a land that allows hunting, wearing orange when visiting is highly recommended. Please also respect the history of the site and don’t enter any closed bunkers and leave them all as you found them.
Can I navigate to the Alvira bunkers by GPS?
Yes – use GPS coordinates 41.13618, -76.95924 to navigate to the first of several parking lots along Alvira Road.
While the bunkers can be found throughout the game lands, the best place to start is from a parking lot along Alvira Road, adjacent to bunker #1. From this parking lot, there are several gated dirt roads that are now used as walking trails in the state game lands. The bunkers can more quickly be reached by taking the road to the right.
Are any of the Alvira bunkers roadside and easy to reach?
Yes – in fact, you can literally park right next to several of the bunkers along Alvira Road. This means that if you’d rather not go hiking into the game lands, it’s still possible to see a couple of them without even having to leave your car.
Are there any trails leading to the bunkers further back from Alvira Road?
Yes – the remnants of the access roads (now gated and covered with vegetation) serve as trails between the bunkers.
Are any of the bunkers still locked?
As you are walking around State Game Lands 252, you might find a few bunkers that are open. If you opt to head inside, make sure to use extreme caution as you never know what kinds of animals might have decided to explore them as well.
We couldn’t find an exact count of how many are locked/unlocked, however if you can go inside, we have read that the echoes in these old bunkers are incredible.
As you get closer to the center, the echoes get better and better. Standing in the center of the bunker causes your voice to bounce repeatedly throughout the concrete building. Even small noises, like jingling keys, create an incredible sound.
Are you able to see inside the bunkers without a flashlight?
The interiors of most of the unlocked bunkers are dimly lit by a small hole in the center of the roofs, but we strongly recommend taking a flashlight along.
Are most of the bunkers full of trash and graffiti?
No – according to our research, although none of the bunkers are in pristine condition, the further away you get from Alvira Road, the less vandalized the bunkers become.
What else is there to see at Alvira?
Several cemeteries still stand on Game Lands 252, including many Revolutionary and Civil War-era graves. After exploring the bunkers, don’t leave the area, instead, follow Alvira Road to the southeast. The road continues for about 1.5 miles, passing additional bunkers and a small cemetery, before ending at a gate. The land just beyond this gate is the Allenwood Federal Prison but this area is still part of the state game lands.
At the end of the road, notice a trail leading off to the left (as you face the end of the road). This trail leads a short distance back to the original cemetery for the community of Alvira.
This is a fascinating cemetery to walk around, and it’s obvious that people still come and care for it. Nevertheless, many of the gravestones have been toppled and others are difficult to read.
The old Alvira Cemetery sits near the end of Alvira Road.
Still, some of the graves are quite interesting, including two men of the same last name that likely died in the Civil War and a plaque that denotes the injuries of another man.
The ruins of the old water pump-house that used to supply water to the ordnance works can be found on Fritz Station Road, along the Susquehanna River.
Tips for Exploring the Alvira Bunkers
The Alvira bunkers are a fascinating and easy ruins to explore, but keep in mind this is State Game Lands.
Wear a blaze orange hat/vest when hiking here, regardless of the time of year, even if you don’t “think” it’s hunting season. Be smart and be seen!
Wear long pants and sturdy boots if you want to do more than the very basic roadside explorations.
Some of the vegetation around the bunkers is quite thick (and prickly), and there are plenty of sharp objects strewn about in and around some of the bunkers.
Take some type of compass or GPS device to keep track of your location if you plan to explore the bunkers away from Alvira Road. Many of the old roads / trails look identical, and none are marked, so it would be quite easy to get turned around out amongst the bunkers.
Be respectful of the cemeteries and grave sites you encounter.
This is the final resting place for generations of Americans, some who fought and died for the freedoms you now enjoy, and all of whom were loved by someone in their time.
Final Thoughts on the Alvira Bunkers
Without a doubt, the Alvira Bunkers on State Game Lands 252 is a fascinating place to explore. The abandoned munitions bunkers are an interesting architectural relic of WWII-era America. If you love visiting abandoned places, this is a spot not to miss as it highlights the fascinating history of how PA responded to the war effort of the 1940s.
They are also a cautionary tale for what can happen to private individuals when the government decides it wants your property. Or in the case of Alvira, wants your ENTIRE TOWN.
And what was once a thriving little hamlet in Union County, followed by a TNT factory and munitions depot, is now slowly being reabsorbed by nature and the elements.
