The Sterling a building's story of success and hard times

USA | Thursday, 27 June 2013 | Views [324] | View Smaller Image

What was at one point in time a hotel for only the most elegant people, is now a place where the homeless can go to escape the cold and find solace. Various rooms are strewn with old mattresses, torn blankets, loose change and in most cases, a bible.

Tags: uranexploration, abandoned, abandonedbuilding

In recent years the inn has suffered a fire, vandalism, a leaky roof and has had its basement flooded to a height of several feet leaving behind inches of mud. In 1998 it finally closed for good. The graffiti on the door reads, “The star in the valley shines brightest in its darkest hour.”

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Others use the Hotel Sterling as a place of rebellion. Vandalism, empty bottles of alcohol, condom wrappers, empty dime bags and rolling papers cover the second floor. The hotel is now in danger of collapsing. What used to be one of the most lavish high-rise hotels in Wilkes-Barre is now considered hazardous to the community. The streets near The Sterling have been diverted for the past two years. As of next month, this piece of my town’s history will be demolished and it will remain nothing but a memory.

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The Sterling a building's story of success and hard times

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