chaffey high school haunted

Research Haunted Places

The Haunted Chaffey High School in Ontario, California

A haunted location: Chaffey High School in Ontario, California.

Details: When in the auditorium the lights go on an off by themselves and if you are going under the auditorium in the old bomb shelters where props are kept a green light is following you.

It is said that it is a student who one night was in the auditorium on the stage and fell into the pit.

Also up in the light room a girl haunts after committing suicide in the auditorium off the balcony.

Written by: Jessica Street

Published on: September 28, 2022

Customer Testimonial

Our customers love our haunted tale, " Whispers Of The Past "!

Wow, I just finished  "Whispers Of The Past" . It's super scary, yet so easy to read! It'll give you the creeps! I just sent the link to all my friends. - Beth P .

Table of Contents

Do You Know The Haunted History Of The Chaffey High School?

It has been rumoured that the Chaffey High School in Ontario, California is a haunted location. We’ll explain why people think this below. Do you think the rumors are true?

Why Is The Chaffey High School Haunted?

When in the auditorium the lights go on an off by themselves and if you are going under the auditorium in the old bomb shelters where props are kept a green light is following you.

Do you love haunted spots? Check out other haunted places in California below

Haunted Places In California

Know Of A Haunted Place? Submit A Place Below

We’re working on building the largest haunted database in the world. So we need people like you to help us document them.

Will you help us?

Submit A Place

View On Google Maps

What do you think about the haunted history of Chaffey High School in Ontario, California?

Do you believe it’s true?

We’d love to hear what you think in the comments below.

DISCLAIMER: We don’t advocate that anyone goes here, this post is for informational purposes only.

Meet Jessica Street, a content creator at Scary HQ, a blog that delves into the world of the eerie and unexplained. Jessica is a true crime aficionado and an avid lover of all things terrifying. From true crime podcasts to horror movies, she devours anything related to the genre. But don't let her fascination with the macabre fool you, Jessica is a kind and compassionate individual with a heart of gold. In her free time, Jessica can be found exploring abandoned buildings, investigating local crime cases, and reading the latest crime novels. She's also a member of a local book club where they exclusively read true crime books. Her love for true crime and horror is matched only by her love for her audience, and she pours her heart and soul into every post on Scary HQ. Join Jessica on her journey as she uncovers the secrets of the scariest places and shares with you the stories that will keep you on the edge of your seat. With her sharp wit and unique perspective, Jessica is sure to make your experience at Scary HQ a wild and thrilling ride.

View all posts

The Haunted Mills College in Oakland, California

The haunted kmart on 4th st. in ontario, california.

Edward just purchased Whispers Of The Past 11 Hours ago from Winston-Salem NC.

Local News | Chaffey High School brings haunted forest to…

Share this:.

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
• Click to print (Opens in new window)
• San Bernardino County
• San Bernardino Mountains
• Riverside County

Local News | Chaffey High School brings haunted forest to life this Halloween

Pig men, witch doctors and cult members wander the forest hidden in the theater department basement.

Deep in the bowels of the Chaffey High School Theater, a magical world of dark lore awaits visitors this Halloween weekend.

Beginning Friday, Oct. 27, the Chaffey Theater Company welcomes guests to explore the basement-turned-dark forest, full of forgotten tales and old nightmares. Guests follow the steps down, passing ancient religious tapestries before they are welcomed into a celebration for the cult that makes its home on the outskirts of the forest.

Visitors go deeper into the forest where creatures flit in and out of their peripheral vision as company members pull them further into the world of sinister tales inspired by Eastern European lore.

Chaffey High School senior Fabio Lalama, 17, portrarys the Pig-Man within the CHS Haunt at the Ontario school on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023. The Chaffey Theatre Company presents a completely new designed, and immersive walkthrough halloween haunt experience. Pulling inspiration from the legends of witchcraft in German Fairytales and Pagan traditions, the interactive haunt will transport visitors to the Black Forrest where they will find many experiences that will leave one chilled or screaming in terror. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Chaffey High School Theater Teacher Brian Barnhart speaks with students portraying halloween characters within the CHS Haunt in Ontario on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023. The Chaffey Theatre Company presents a completely new designed, and immersive walkthrough haunt experience. Pulling inspiration from the legends of witchcraft in German Fairytales and Pagan traditions, the interactive haunt will transport visitors to the Black Forrest where they will find many experiences that will leave one chilled or screaming in terror. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Chaffey High School portray various halloween themed characters within the CHS Haunt at the Ontario school on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023. The Chaffey Theatre Company presents a completely new designed, and immersive walkthrough halloween haunt experience. Pulling inspiration from the legends of witchcraft in German Fairytales and Pagan traditions, the interactive haunt will transport visitors to the Black Forrest where they will find many experiences that will leave one chilled or screaming in terror. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Chaffey High School junior Mason Barnhart, 16, portrarys the Plague Doctor within the CHS Haunt at the Ontario school on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023. The Chaffey Theatre Company presents a completely new designed, and immersive walkthrough halloween haunt experience. Pulling inspiration from the legends of witchcraft in German Fairytales and Pagan traditions, the interactive haunt will transport visitors to the Black Forrest where they will find many experiences that will leave one chilled or screaming in terror. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Like Hansel and Gretel, visitors are led consistently deeper into the woods to a cottage seemingly innocent on the outside with a darker truth just behind the door. The story takes weary travelers through this dark and twisting world and, if they are lucky, they may just make it out to other side.

The theater company’s fresh take on classic tales was partially inspired by popular horror movies “Midsommar” and “Hereditary,” according to teacher Brian Barnhart, who chairs the visual and performing arts department at Chaffey High.

The Chaffey High School Haunt is a well-loved tradition among students who take part in the school’s technical theater class, Barnhart said. Students do most of the work for the haunt and the event helps to raise money for the year’s theater productions.

“It is basically all students,” said Barnhart, who teaches two tech classes. “Everybody in those tech classes are either building something, they’re painting something, they’re designing something (or) they’re assigned to a certain portion in the maze.”

Students love the project so much they return each year to take part in the antics and recall specific moments where they instilled terror in guests.

The past couple years, the high school has put on a haunted carnival with creepy clowns and jesters wandering the halls.

In previous years, Abigail Lynn, a 17-year-old senior at Chaffey, played a court jester. She recalls how she was about to scare a family when an emergency button in the maze was set off. She paused to chat with the family and as the music came back on she immediately jumped back into character.

“I was about to scare them, but then I was like, ‘oh, how’s it going?’ ” said Lynn. “(The music) immediately turned right back on and I scared them so good. I heard music and yelled and the kid immediately started crying.”

Many of the students performing this year said they are drawn back to the haunt each year because of the friendships they created along the way.

“It was just an amazing feeling just going out and scaring other people … it was just fun,” said Michael Oliva, a 17-year-old senior. “So I just wanted to do that one last night.”

The haunt is open 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Tuesday, Oct. 27-28 and Oct. 31, and 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday and Monday, Oct. 29-30 at Chaffey High, 1245 N. Euclid Ave., Ontario.

Tickets are $10 at the door or online at the Chaffey Theater Company website .

• Newsroom Guidelines
• Report an Error

More in Local News

Local News | 90 years ago in Redlands: In 1933 the Daily Facts looked back on its first 43 years

News | Metrolink will shut down all trains for four days, Dec. 26 – Dec. 29

Local News | DAR Arrowhead Valley Chapter will honor Vietnam War-era veterans at Redlands event

Local News | Mission Inn sued over lease dispute by the Mission Inn Foundation

• For Haunt Owners
• Browse By State
• Haunted Attractions
• Drive-Through
• Haunted Houses
• Haunted Hay Rides
• Zombie Hunts & Shootouts
• Haunted Mazes / Haunted Corn Mazes
• Haunted Trails
• Home Haunts
• Theaters & Plays
• Scream Parks
• Paranormal Events
• Zombie 5k Runs
• Haunted River Tours
• Other Event / Attraction
• Ghost Tours
• Halloween Parties & Nightlife
• Escape Games
• Other Events
• Haunted Places
• Advertise With Us

Set Your Location

Chs haunt cookie -->, share your review.

CHS Haunt Ontario, CA

Contact CHS Haunt

The Chaffey Theatre Company proudly presents Folklore, a completely new designed, and immersive walkthrough haunt experience Halloween Season 2023. Pulling inspiration from the legends of witchcraft in German Fairytales and Pagan traditions, this interactive haunt will transport you to the Black Forrest where you will find many experiences that will leave you chilled or screaming in terror.

Latest Reviews

Great props, tech, and theme!We enjoyed supporting a great program that is student ran.

Posted Oct 2023

Amazing. Recommend 100%

Get the Haunts.com Phone App

Newsletter Signup

Subscribe now to receive upcoming events, scary good savings & more this Halloween season!

Advertisement

Must be logged in to use this feature

Log In To Your Account

• Keep me logged in

• 1245 N Euclid Ave
• Ontario, CA
• (909) 988-5560
• Visit Website

Share Your Photos!

Have you been to CHS Haunt? Then share photos of your experience!

1 Award Received

Hours of Operation: 6:00pm-9:30pm Thursday and Sunday, 6:00pm-10:00pm Friday, Saturday and Monday.

Payments Accepted: Cash, Credit Cards, Debit Cards

- event open dates

Visit Haunt Website

Recent Reviews

Terrifying don’t miss it.

This is so professionally done! The scare actors are so committed and stay in character. The maze is filled with unexpected scares and sensory props that give you the creeps! These students have the same level of talent or better than theme park scare actors. Their costumes are also impressive! If you have a chance to go, don’t miss it!!

Email Verified Creepy!!

This year’s theme, Dark Folklore, was unique and fun! Midsommar vibes. Attention to detail was impressive, especially for a high school! I’m glad I had my dad in front of me and my mom behind me, for protection. Lol! It felt like we were really heading into a dark forest that became creepy and unsettling. Plenty of jump scares! Awesome actors! Highly recommend!

This year’s theme, Dark Folklore, was unique and fun! Midsommar vibes. Attention to detail was impressive, especially for a high school! I’m glad I had my dad in front of me and my mom behind me, for protection. Lol! It felt like we were really heading into a dark forest that became creepy and unsettling. Plenty of jump scares! Highly recommend!

Oooh this will be a yearly tradition!

Took my kids to this and it was ah-mazing! The theatre kids are so good. Chaffey HS has a really good theatre program so it’s no surprise that they could pull off a scary maze in a scary old (haunted?) basement. CHS haunt will be a yearly thing from now on and I will bring some more people next year!

Email Verified CHS Haunt

Awesome!! Had a great time, interesting idea of folklore as a theme!!

Email Verified Awesome Haunt supporting an awesome program

I have see this Haunt grow over the years. The team genuinely enjoys providing an awesome experience for its guests! In addition, it is a nonprofit school arts program, so your money not only provides a fun/scary experience, but also supports the development of amazing shows you can come back and patronize! This year's next show in December will be "Happy Days!"

Definitely a good time!

Had lots of fun. Reasonable pricing. Very thrilling. CHS did a very good job! Will be back again next year!

Awesome decorations

This haunted maze was amazing!! Very scary very unique in decor and theme!! Would’ve loved to go every night! Actors were so dedicated 🙏❤️

Scared the pants off of me!!!!!

Great new theme, talented scare actors, all-around great experience!

Email Verified VERY SCARY

Knowing it was a high school production, and it only being $10 I figured it would be a fun little maze. However, I couldn’t be farther from the truth. The CHS haunt is a very unique haunt, it’s maze like layout, professional lighting/effects, as well as the actors all play a very spooky role, I would recommend this attraction every year. This is much like other professional mazes if not better! and the crazy thing is it’s only $10 and put together by high schoolers. Insane, definitely recommend 10/10.

2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Email Verified Scary and Cool Visuals/Style

This haunt was amazing! Go if you can! Student created and student run but not your average high school haunt! Chaffey does things big and legit! The style and visuals were super cool. You will get scared and feel creeped out from the experience. I want to go again already!!

Email Verified Great but Grape

Solid haunt for high schoolers. Overhyped, though. Some scarers lacked that pizazz…a spark if you will. Anyways, had fun with my entire family, we’re 11, however we were split into 2 groups. Very scary. Almost got stuck in the beginning between the airbags…Might not recommend for those on the heavier side. The…whats-a-micall-it non playable characters in the beginning of the haunt were very frightening. A few stutters from some of the scarers but overall good work…Excited to see, with my other 11 family members, whats next for the upcoming haunt. -CJ

1 out of 9 found this review helpful

New Halloween Tradition

This haunt was awesomely planned! The props were super realistic and really transformed the basement of Chaffey HS. Oh! You didn’t know it was a haunted attraction in a 122 year old basement in a historical high school built by one of the founders of Ontario? Yep, the history and layers to this haunt just keep going. Great Halloween find! Screamed all the way through. I will definitely be coming back every year from now on.

1 out of 1 found this review helpful

• View all CHS Haunt Reviews
• Username: Log In / Sign Up Post as guest
• Review Headline: Do not use all capital letters. No profanity.
• Review Details: Be specific - the more details the better. No HTML.
• Your Name: Optional
• Email Address: Administrative use only. Will NOT be displayed
• Date You Visited: Before 2020 2020 Season 2021 Season 2022 Season September 2022 Oct 1-15, 2022 Oct 16-31, 2022 November 2022 --> September 2023 Oct 1-7, 2023 Oct 8-14, 2023 Oct 15-21, 2023 Oct 22-30, 2023 Oct 31, 2023 November 2023 Never Visited Other
• I have more to say about this haunt (optional)
• Would you recommended to a friend? Yes No Not Sure
• Suitable for families with kids? Yes No Not Sure
• Time You Visited: Before Noon Noon - 5PM 5PM - 9PM After 9PM
• Length of Event: < 10 min 11 - 20 min 21 - 30 min 31 - 45 min 45 - 60 min 60+ min

Visitors to this page: 9,780 Clicks to Haunts Website: 4,369 Last edit to your listing: 10/25/2023 Edit This Listing Grab a Badge (Awards, Reviews, + More...) Get More Exposure for your Haunt

San Bernardino

• Moreno Valley
• Lake Elsinore
• Riverside County
• San Jacinto

News | Suspected robber dies in gun battle with San Bernardino police at Orange Show

News | Insomniac’s Countdown NYE will feature Deadmau5, The Chainsmokers and Porter Robinson

SUBSCRIBER ONLY

News | what’s new: main event fun zone coming to montclair place, latest headlines.

News | Former Redlands planning official tailored child porn to LAUSD teacher’s liking, police allege

News | Fired as a San Bernardino principal for an unknown reason, Miss Whittier filed a lawsuit

News | San Bernardino city officials denounce racist comments made during meeting

San bernardino county.

News | How Southern California stylists are providing safe spaces for queer and transgender clients

News | metrolink will shut down all trains for four days, dec. 26 – dec. 29, news | arcade coffee roasters mourns the death of executive chef ronnie tucci, news | former owner of high-end upland auto dealership charged with theft, tax fraud.

News | Dine 909: Redlands Public Market holding open house

News | longtime breakfast hangout kay’s cafe has closed in highland, news | redlands man arrested in fatal shooting of highland resident, news | inland master chorale will present oct. 29 concert in redlands.

News | Chaffey High School brings haunted forest to life this Halloween

News | wave of demolitions coming to ontario’s holt boulevard for bus line, news | dine 909: here are 7 more newly-opened inland empire restaurants, news | 31 stores in california on rite aid closure list, rancho cucamonga.

News | Lemon Tree Cafe in Rancho Cucamonga has brunch covered

News | hazing or ‘horseplay’ los osos football locker room video sparks mother’s outrage, news | dine 909: these 10 restaurants have opened recently in the inland empire, news | rancho cucamonga nursing program expansion announced by concordia university.

News | San Bernardino County opens Tropical Storm Hilary assistance center

News | hurricane hilary: evacuation orders issued for these san bernardino county communities, news | san bernardino community college district, teachers in labor dispute.

News | Dine 909: Artisanal doughnut shop Deaux opening in downtown Redlands

News | what’s new: grocery outlet opens this week in fontana; 191 new homes coming to perris, news | checkered flag falls on auto club speedway in fontana, news | klatch coffee, still family-owned, marks 30 years in rancho cucamonga.

News | VA Loma Linda’s use of involuntary psychiatric holds violates veterans’ rights, watchdogs allege

News | mother of va loma linda employee who died by suicide files $5 million claim, news | va loma linda mismanaged more than $1 million in patient transportation funds, feds say.

Chaffey High School breaks ground on science…

Share this:.

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
• Click to print (Opens in new window)
• Things to Do

Chaffey High School breaks ground on science and math building

ONTARIO >> When Chaffey High School Principal George Matamala sees the renderings for a new $20 million math and science building, he sees a facility that will provide new opportunities for his students.

The three-story structure will have 18 state-of-the-art classrooms, 12 science labs and be completed by the spring of 2017.

On Tuesday afternoon, officials within the Chaffey Joint Union High School District celebrated the groundbreaking of the 50,000-square-foot builing, which will front Fourth Street and will complete what is known as the south quad area.

“With state-of-the-art science labs and technology and what students needs to move toward the direction of stem,” said Superintendent Mat Holton.

The current math and science building at Chaffey High School — the last building to be constructed on the campus — was completed in 1975.

“One of the great things about working on this campus was understanding the rich history, and I feel very proud and privilege to work on this campus,” said Michael Stephens, architect with DLR Group. “Hopefully the building lives up to its expectations.”

Ted Alejandre, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, said one of the priorities in the county is to support college and career readiness. He commended the board of education, superintendent and the residents for supporting students in the district.

“When you look at the industry sectors of the future, where the jobs will be, they all tie to math and science. The district to have this new facility, to provide students with that environment is just super,” Alejandre said.

Several years ago, Holton said, Chaffey Joint Union High School District staff worked with the board of education to put together a long term facilities master plan.

“We had never had one of those in the district and we wanted to make sure we were preparing students and we had a plan to do that,” he said.

In order to make improvements to address those needs, the district included input from students, parents and teachers.

In 2012, voters approved Measure P, an $848 million bond initiative meant to repair aging infrastructure in the 101-year-old high school district.

“We’re excited about this and excited this building will be completed in spring 2017,” Holton said.

In the last year, the district also kicked off several projects to update sports facilities at Alta Loma, Etiwanda, Ontario, and Rancho Cucamonga high schools.

The new Alta Loma High School stadium will be named after Charles Uhalley, the longest-serving board member in the Chaffey Joint Union High School District.

Stadium construction is expected to be completed by April 2016 and cost about $17.5 million per stadium, officials said.

At Tuesday’s ground breaking, Uhalley thanked the members of the public who have supported the district.

“The groundbreaking of this building represents an investment of the future and our community has always stepped up when the money is needed because they know, understand, and appreciate the value of education,” he said. “This building which is going to be a part of this historic community will live on for years as a result of the generosity of the people of this community.”

• Newsroom Guidelines
• Report an Error

More in News

News | Sheriff Robert Luna honors deputies and officers at Valor Awards ceremony

News | How Southern California stylists are providing safe spaces for queer and transgender clients

News | Cal State Long Beach’s Demo Day brings CSU startups, investors together

Crime and Public Safety | Some stolen items returned in Rose Bowl locker room theft case, police say

Quick Links

• RESOURCE CENTER
• MEMBER LOGIN

External Links

• AAAS Communities
• SCIENCE CAREERS
• SCIENCE FAMILY OF JOURNALS
• More AAAS Sites

Research to Address Near-Earth Objects Remains Critical, Experts Say

Eye witness photograph of the 2013 meteor event near Chelyabinsk, Russia. [Nikita Plekhanov/Wikimedia Commons]

Scientists have now identified an estimated 90 percent of all larger asteroids – those at least six-tenths of a mile in diameter – that could come too close to Earth's orbit. Yet, our solar system is full of many smaller objects such as the previously undetected Chelyabinsk meteor, and current capabilities limit scientists' ability to spot such hazards early enough to do anything about them, speakers said at a 8 July event co-sponsored by AAAS.

Lindley Johnson, program executive for NASA's Near-Earth Object Observations (NEOO) Program , emphasized that people should not be concerned about an impending cosmic collision. "Currently, we know of no impact threats to the Earth," he said at an informational session organized by AAAS and the Secure World Foundation . "We know of a few objects that are in orbits that have a possibility of impacting the Earth sometime in the distant future but nothing that has a significant probability within the next 100 or so years."

The NEOO program, launched in 1998, this year reached its original goal to pinpoint 90 percent of all space objects that are at least six-tenths of a mile, or 1 kilometer in size and likely to come within about 30 million miles of Earth's orbit. Smaller space objects are more prevalent, however, and therefore more likely to strike the Earth, Johnson and other speakers said. He added that existing ground-based facilities are not well-suited for detecting the population of objects as small as 140 meters, or 460 feet in diameter, which is NASA's new NEOO program objective.

According to Johnson, finding these smaller near-Earth objects in less than a few decades should involve space-based facilities that allow scientists to observe large areas of space at night, even when the moon is bright.

Johnson joined two other experts – Irwin Shapiro, Timken University Professor with the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, and Mark Boslough, a principal member of the technical staff at Sandia National Laboratories – in reviewing the research challenges associated with identifying, tracking and appropriately addressing space objects that might pose a threat to life on Earth.

Their presentations took place on Capitol Hill as U.S. policymakers were preparing to debate which of NASA's research activities should be authorized for support in 2014. President Obama's Fiscal Year 2014 R&D budget proposal, released 10 April at AAAS, includes a proposal for an asteroid retrieval mission, which has been opposed by a number of Members of the Science, Space and Technology Committee , including its Chairman Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX) as being too costly and with limited scientific contribution. NASA Administrator Charles Bolden responded to such opposition in an op-ed article published by The Hill: "By involving humans for the first time in an asteroid sample return mission," he wrote, "we will demonstrate our new deep-space technologies, move closer to our goal of sending humans to Mars and learn more about how to protect our planet and prevent natural disasters from space."

Johnson said that NASA's near-Earth object research plans encompass efforts to identify threatening space objects, characterize their physical properties, and to redirect them in space if ever needed. The agency is participating in a public-private partnership, the Space Act Agreement with B612 , which would build a spacecraft called Sentinel to complete an infrared survey of large areas of space from the vantage point of a Venus-like orbit around the sun. In addition, NASA on 18 June issued a Grand Challenge to find all asteroids that could be hazardous to humans.

The meteor that streamed at a shallow angle toward Chelyabinsk, Russia, and then exploded in an event known as a "low-altitude airburst" on 15 February this year was 17 to 20 meters, or about 56 to 66 feet in size – "really a tiny thing," compared with many other asteroids and comets, speaker Shapiro said. Nonetheless, he emphasized, the Chelyabinsk impact "was a major event in the lives of people who lived in the nearby town."

In fact, Johnson said that the explosion injured 1,613 people and caused an estimated $30 million in structural damage, including a flattened factory and shattered windows that left residents exposed to the harsh Siberian winter. Boslough pointed out that the Chelyabinsk meteor would have been far more devastating if it had entered the Earth's atmosphere steeply. Still, it was moving at a speed of more than 40,000 miles per hour, with 40 times the energy, per pound, of the well-known explosive TNT. To put this into perspective, the energy released from the 2013 Chelyabinsk bolide exceeded 400 kilotons of TNT – a level of energy about twenty times greater than the first atomic bomb.

By comparison, the Chicxulub crater, located beneath Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, is believed to have been caused by a massive asteroid that was about 6 miles in diameter, resulting in a globally catastrophic impact that has been associated with the extinction of dinosaurs and many other species. A much-smaller space object of 50 meters, or 55 yards in diameter carved out Arizona's Barringer Crater some 50,000 years ago, bombarding the Earth with destructive energy equivalent to 10 megatons of TNT and sending hurricane-force winds beyond Winslow, Johnson noted.

This year's Chelyabinsk airburst was a less-powerful version of the Tunguska event of 1908, when an exploding space object flattened trees and scorched the Earth near Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia, Boslough explained. If the Tunguska event had happened over Washington, D.C., he said, the destruction would have extended past the Beltway. Scientists have speculated that another type of airburst, such as one that took place 30 million years ago in what is now the Libyan desert had enough destructive force to vaporize trees and melt rocks.

"The next destructive near-Earth object will probably be another low-altitude airburst," Boslough said. "We really lucked out that [the Chelyabinsk meteor] was kind of a grazing impact; somehow, miraculously, no one was killed."

Boslough said that the "vast majority" of smaller near-Earth objects have not yet been discovered. "There's still quite a bit of uncertainty about how frequently a Chelyabinsk-sized object could hit the Earth," he added. "It might be once a century, it could be once every 30 years or so. We just don't know."

He added, however, that scientists' ability to model and better understand airbursts is continuing to improve. During his presentation, in fact, Boslough shared a simulation of a 5-megaton nuclear explosion compared with an asteroid blast of the same magnitude. A nuclear explosion causes surface damage as a result of the blast and the radiation, he said, but the mushroom cloud rises relatively quickly off the ground. In the case of an asteroid that explodes while making a steep, nearly vertical approach toward Earth, "The fireball is rammed downward into the ground, and you get this melting," he said. "So it's much more damaging than [an equivalent] nuclear explosion at the same altitude."

Certain comets known as "long-period comets" can also pose a unique risk, Shapiro said. "These comets come from beyond Jupiter's orbit, where they cannot be seen and could head at great speed directly for Earth, giving us very little time between discovery and impact," he explained. Shapiro expressed support for a key, ground-based observational facility, the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope , which he noted has not yet been fully funded, as well as other facilities reviewed by Johnson. "LSST could find 90 percent of 140-meter sized objects in well under two decades, mostly because of its large, 8.4 meter diameter, mirror and the large area of sky that it can view at once," Shapiro said after the event on Capitol Hill.

Existing detection capabilities include ground-based telescope facilities such as the Catalina Sky Survey at the University of Arizona; the Panoramic Survey Telescope & Rapid Response System at the University of Hawaii; and the Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid Research facility run by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Lincoln Laboratory, as well as radar-based observational facilities –the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico and the Goldstone tracking station in California, which can reveal many of their physical properties.

A globally catastrophic collision with a near-Earth object is unlikely to take place anytime soon, said Victoria Samson, Washington Office director of Secure World Foundation , and yet the possibility raises many critical questions. Scientists must consider how best to discover such hazards before they reach the Earth, for example, and global cost-sharing, warning and disaster-recovery strategies must be developed. Planetary defense against near-Earth objects should be seen as a "shared international responsibility," Samson said.

Chart of Impact Frequencies and Consequences

View the Capitol Hill presentations by:

Mark Boslough

Irwin Shapiro

Lindley Johnson

Ginger Pinholster

Former director, office of public programs, related scientific disciplines.

• Space sciences/Astronomy/Celestial bodies/Asteroids
• Space sciences/Astronomy/Celestial bodies/Planets/Terrestrial planets/Solar terrestrial planets/Planet Earth
• Space sciences/Astronomy/Celestial bodies/Meteors
• Space sciences/Astronomy/Celestial mechanics/Astrodynamics
• Space sciences/Astronomy/Celestial bodies/Comets
• Applied sciences and engineering/Technology/Telescopes
• Space sciences/Astronomy/Astrophysics/Observational astrophysics
• Life sciences/Organismal biology/Anatomy/Legs/Feet
• Space sciences/Space research
• Space sciences/Space exploration/Space flight
• Physical sciences/Materials science/Material properties/Physical properties
• Space sciences/Planetary science/Geomorphology/Impact features
• Life sciences/Plant sciences/Plants/Trees
• Scientific community/Scientific facilities/Educational facilities/Educational institutions/Universities
• Research methods/Imaging/Photography
• Space sciences/Astronomy/Celestial bodies/Moons
• Scientific community/Scientific facilities/Laboratories/National laboratories
• Scientific community/Scientific facilities/Laboratories/Space laboratories
• Scientific community/Science policy/Research management/Research funding/Science budgets
• Space sciences/Astronomy/Celestial bodies/Planets/Terrestrial planets/Solar terrestrial planets/Mars

20 Ghost Towns In Russia That Have Been Totally Forgotten About

Take it all as a unique chance to explore the lands of the people who once resided there.

In a country as ancient as Russia, there are many examples of mysterious places that have long been forsaken by the locals. Only two decades ago, dozens of small towns and villages were completely abandoned, and are now as lonely as a cloud in the sky. Since the collapse of these places, over hundreds of people have lost their jobs and homes. Well, the truth is that Russia was home to a large number of small-industry towns, but some of them didn't really make it in 2018.

And if you dare to take a step further, you can actually visit such locations and imagine what life was like for those belonging to the past now.

From Cape Aniva's Atomic Lighthouse and Diamond Mine to the abandoned 5-star hotel Northern Crown (which surely looks haunted), get ready for a thrilling ride through 20 of the loneliest and chilling places ever noticed in Russia. Take it all as a unique chance to explore the lands of the people who once resided there. Below is an interesting list of Russia's most bizarre and unwelcoming places where you can hear nothing but your own footsteps.

20 Atomic Lighthouse - Cape Aniva

The Atomic Lighthouse, constructed by the Russian architect Miura Shinobu, was built on the Sakhalin island in the middle 90s.  It was a complicated building, a technical one that had to be a unique creation. Cape Aniva's lighthouse used a diesel generator to get going, although it also had some backup batteries.

In the late 90s, the Atomic lighthouse was retrofitted with more power as a way to save more money. Somehow it fell into disuse anyway, so the building now sits lonesome by the sea, hopelessly waiting for a new potential reconstruction.

19 The Diamond Mine - Yakutia

The so-called Diamond Mine, located in Yakutia, used to be a major financial source which provided jobs and revenue for the region and its people. As massive and big as it still is, this open-pit diamond mine would produce an immense amount of high-quality Russian diamonds back in the day. In a nutshell, the town's activities revolved around the production of more and more diamonds to keep the life busy and full of riches.

However, later down the line, the production of these precious rocks became scarcer, which eventually forced the mine to lay off most of the workers. In the end, the Diamond Mine closed down but still remains one of the largest ones in the world. When looked at from above, it probably looks like a black zone in space.

17 Dagdizel Plant -  Dagestan

Another mysterious location in Russia which appears to be just as spooky as the Diamond Mine is this odd building known as the Dagdizel Plant in Dagestan. Initially, Dagdizel Plant was used as a test center for the military department in Russia. According to the original plan, it had to be put in operation by 1939; however, the idea was actually short-lived since the military needs sort of changed over the years. Well, this Russian test center still resides in the Caspian sea but it's hardly ever used for anything anyway. On top of that, Dagdizel Plant is located almost over two miles from the shore, so getting there isn't really a piece of cake whatsoever. Today, it's only visitors are the birds that have made the land their own.

16 The Formerly Majestic Castle “Zakhluchye” - Moscow Oblast

This formerly beautiful castle, designed and constructed in the 19th century, is nothing more than just an old, dusty memory. There was a time when Zakhluchye used to capture the imagination of many travelers. But now, the castle sits lonely and quietly on the bank of a small lake, surrounded by rolling hills and a quaint tower. What probably strikes us the most about this castle is the fancy exterior and the poor paint job that's badly peeling. But in retrospect, this castle, constructed by the Russian architect A.S. Khrenov, must have been Moscow's pride.

15 Khovrinskaya Hospital - Moscow

Chilling stories always follow deserted places, like schools and hospitals, and Moscow's Khovrinskaya Hospital isn't really an exception on today's list either.

The building was constructed in the late 90s but the project was eventually ceased due to the lack of funding. Interestingly though, the construction was inadequately started from the very beginning as it was built on a poor foundation. The site used to be part of a river, making the ground less eligible for supporting such a massive structure anyway. Myths and legends of all kinds have grown up around the building because of its spooky looks and aura.

14 Kadykchan Village - Magadan Oblast

Officially known as a "depopulated community", this Russian Kadykchan village actually looks like a ghost town rather than anything else. Originally, this place was established as a coal mining village, but the corporation shut doors due to numerous incidents there. As a result, the locals soon left the village and settled in other communities without even packing all of their possessions. By the end of 2010, Kadykchan village in Magadan Oblast was almost completely deserted; it virtually had no official residence.  This place is rarely visited by travelers since there's not much to see around here anyway.

13 The Submarine Base “Bechevinka” - Kamchatka

Another abandoned place in Kamchatka is the submarine base in the charming Bechevinka Village, and it's kind of sad when you think of the awe-inspiring views of the nearby hilltops. However, the reason for setting the submarine base here in Kamchatka has nothing to do with those pleasant views; it was picked for shelter and privacy, and the surrounding mountains had that in abundance. The facility only survived for about a few decades before finally shutting down. Today the area is no longer used for such purposes but is now left for wildlife to grow.

12 Sanatorium Energy - Moscow Oblast

The old sanatorium was a long-abandoned place that wasn't used for decades until one day when the town decided to transform the building into something else. The former sanatorium would probably be torn down completely but at least the grounds would be used for the construction of something better. What's interesting about this place is that it's located just outside of Moscow, nearby a few ponds that are major hotspots for fishers. So, hopefully, the new buildings will be able to cater to those specific visitors who may spend a night or two here while fishing nearby the lakes and ponds.

11 Maternity Hospital - Vladimir Oblast

Maternity Hospital was a considerably modern building in a time when the township was thriving. The hospital was built in the 18th century and was supposed to take care of soldiers; however, it was transformed into a maternity ward. Later on, though, the hospital and the town were deserted, leaving the building in a ghost-like shape. Now the building resembles haunted hospitals, like those we see in the high-budget movies. That outdated detailing and concrete walls that are falling apart only add an extra "charm" to the place. You see, there are are too many aspects of it that make it look extra spooky and mysterious.

10 The Old Chambers -  Chukhloma

When it comes to Russia, there's just one thing that instantly springs to mind: you can surely expect to run into some weird things, starting with these old chambers in Chukhloma. Indeed, if you're really willing to travel off the beaten path, this place will definitely offer a good share of spooky vibes. These oddly shaped chambers are literally in the middle of nowhere. The nearest village, which still appears to be functioning normally, is about 8 km from the Chukhloma. So, if you're really thrilled to come here, be sure to bring a friend along just to calm your nerves when exploring the chambers.

9 The Grain Elevator - Chelyabinsk

Well, now that's an image that can make your heart skip a beat. This grain elevator was built right on the fringe of the Ural city of Chelyabinsk. Once the construction of the railway was completed, Chelyabinsk automatically became a pretty significant trade station between Eastern and Western Russia. The result was a gigantic 8-story building that served as the symbol of the town. It practically resembled a gigantic skyscraper rising high from the ground.  In only several years,  the other districts of the city developed so much that the grain elevator simply fell into disuse.

8 The Ancient Brusnitsyn Mansion - St. Petersburg

Located along the Karpovka river embankment, the ancient Brusnitsyn Mansion was constructed by Nikolay Brusnitsyn, a wealthy owner of a local tannery in Saint Petersburg. The formerly majestic mansion could be found near the industrial district of the Vailievsky island which is believed to be the hiding-place for Dracula's mirror. According to the locals, who almost seem to support these legends, the mirror was brought here in the 20th century from the Venetian Palazzo aka Dracula's resting place. In any case, such stories and legends about the Brusnitsyn Mansion definitely add a touch of mysteriousness to the location.

7 The Gothic Castle - St. Petersburg

This forgotten castle sits in Vladimir Khrapovitsky's region, a Russian lumberman, who had a liking for gothic architecture and traveling. During one of his French adventures in 1880, Vladimir promised himself that he would help the town built a similar mansion like the ones he saw while exploring France.  A few years later, he accomplished his goal and built a beautiful mansion in the French Gothic architectural style, with ponds, gorgeous gardens and cascades scatted all over the place. Sadly, though, the castle was doomed to loneliness after the man passed away.

6 The Unseen Side Of Leningrad

Saying that the scenery isn't at all spooky would be the biggest lie ever. This jaw-dropping site was built near the village of Saperny and is considered the largest decoration for a military movie. In fact, the entire town was built on an abandoned military base. The movie project engaged over hundreds of builders to set up the scene and the whole process took between 4 - 6 months and over 5 million dollars to complete. It's not hard to see that the decoration is filled to the brim with bizarre details, and the one you're looking at right now is probably just a small example of that.

5 St. Petersburg Is Running Short On Amusement Parks

This odd place happens to be located in Saint Petersburg nearby the Catherinehof Park, and nobody seems to care about it. This unique park that used to attract so many kids with its rides and swings is now slowly fading away.  There are no longer kids that can be seen swinging back and forth. There's no laughter anymore here. This place has surely become overlooked by the world. Traditionally, such spooky locations feed people's imagination like crazy. Therefore, you can hear many legends and myths about such abandoned spots. But once you look at these photos, you'll clearly understand what made the locals come up with such chilling bedtime stories.

4 The Affected Region of Bryansk After Chernobyl

It's no secret that the Chernobyl Power Plant was the epicenter of one of the biggest tragedies in the world. It only takes a single look at the whole region of Bryansk to realize that this place is unwelcoming and quite dangerous.  Even to this date, some parts of Bryansk are off-limits due to the critical levels of radiation. To prevent it from spreading further into the nearby cities, the inactive power plant is getting a new sarcophagus. Well, this will definitely keep people out while holding the unhealthy waves in. Apparently, the region is still badly affected although it's been decades since that Chernobyl accident.

3 The Abandoned And Forgotten Soviet Circus

Well, if the idea of running into clowns make you feel uneasy, then you'll surely want to avoid coming here. Much like the rest of the places on today's list, this bizarre-looking circus is certainly not the most pleasant thing you'll ever see around here. Only the thought of seeing clown-shaped figures, carved into the walls, will probably give you a stomach ache.  Actually, the architecture of this abandoned circus is quite unique, but even this isn't enough to make us go there and have a look at what's really going on the inside.

2 The Infamous Beslan School

This odd and spooky Beslan school stretches as far back as the former Soviet Union. Beslan School is located in Southern Russia and suffered lots of accidents in the Russian history. Naturally, the school was eventually abandoned, and there's a slim chance that it's ever going to get a new facade. Apart from the annual memorials that take place just outside the school, there's not much to see or do around here. This location has become quite useless for any kind of activities anyway, and given its spooky looks, that's completely understandable. Besides, this place looks quite unfriendly for newcomers, so you'd best avoid coming here.

1 Lake Karachay Was Also Affected By The Accident In Chernobyl

Once known as a gorgeous lake and a perfect place for quiet walks, Lake Karachay is now just as deserted and dangerous as the entire region of Chernobyl. In 1950, the country used the lake as a dumping terrain for radioactive waste. As a consequence, the lake had gained great amounts of toxic chemicals, and by the end of 1960, it was already heavily polluted due to the toxicity. Even 50 years later, the Russian lake Karachay is still considered one of the most polluted lakes in the country. Therefore, some parts of it are even off-limits to the public.

References: bbc.co.uk, russianblogger.me, rbth.com, guff.com

• Bahasa Indonesia
• Slovenščina
• Science & Tech
• Russian Kitchen

Chelyabinsk: from frontier town to industrial colossus

Chelyabinsk. "Sphere of Love," by Victor Mitroshin. Erected in 2000, this sculpture consists of four bronze trees surrounding two kissing figures under a dome of blue Italian glass. It has become the city's beloved calling card. July 13, 2003.

Chelyabinsk, located on the Miass River the southeastern Ural Mountains, is one of those largely ignored workhorses that form the backbone of Russian heavy industry. When the town’s relative obscurity was broken by a spectacular encounter with a meteorite in February 2013, it seemed that few outside observers knew much about this seventh-largest city in Russia. But Chelyabinsk has a varied architectural heritage that reflects profound social changes over the past century.

View of Chelyabinsk down the Miass River. Visible on far side are brick commercial buildings with Cathedral of Nativity of Christ (left) and Convent of the Hodegetria Icon of the Virgin (far right) - both demolished in the Soviet period. Late summer 1909.

Russian chemist and photographer Sergei Prokudin-Gorsky discovered some of the town’s architectural gems in Summer 1909, when he made his first trip to the Urals. The journey was part of an expansion of his project to photograph the diversity of the Russian Empire in the early 20thcentury. In May 1909, Emperor Nicholas II invited Prokudin-Gorsky to the imperial residence at Tsarskoe Selo to show his images of Russia through an elaborate projector. Following this presentation, the photographer gained the patronage of the imperial court to continue his travels, thus accelerating the pace and the scope of his work.

Frontier bulwark               

Chelyabinsk was founded in Autumn 1736 as part of a chain of forts constructed to protect supply lines from the granaries of western Siberia to the new Orenburg territory on Russia’s southern frontier. Cossack troops and settlers moved into the vast steppes roamed by Bashkir tribes, who responded with frequent attacks on Russian supply routes and outposts. By 1739, the Chelyabinsk fort had a population over 1,000.

Chelyabinsk. Late 19th-century brick commercial buildings on Kirov (formerly Ufa) Street. July 13, 2003.

Situated in a region rich in metals and foundry towns such as Kasli , Chelyabinsk remained a local market town for over a century. Its placid existence was broken by the settlement’s capture for two months in 1774 during a widespread, prolonged rebellion of serfs, Cossacks and Bashkirs led by Emelyan Pugachev.

Church of St. Alexander Nevsky, southeast view. Built in 1907-11 to a design by the prominent architect Alexander Pomerantsev. Closed in 1930, converted to planetarium. Restored in 1980s as concert hall. July 23, 2003.

The town’s growth advanced rapidly in the 1890s with the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railroad, which made Chelyabinsk a major junction in the southern Urals and a gateway to the east. Stimulated by agricultural reforms and promises of rich lands in Siberia, thousands of peasant families passed through resettlement centers in Chelyabinsk, where they received rudimentary care and supplies for the arduous trip to Siberia.

Alexander Kuznetsov Tea-Sorting Factory. Built in 1904, the Kuznetsov factory was among Russia's major tea processing facilities. By the time of Prokudin-Gorsky's visit it employed some 2,000 workers. July 12, 2003.

By 1897 the town had a diverse population of 20,000 inhabitants, including a Jewish community whose synagogue still functions. The pre-revolutionary decades witnessed the construction of numerous Orthodox churches, some of which have been restored in the post-Soviet period. Chelyabinsk also has several mosques.

Trinity Church, south view. Built in 1909-14, closed in 1929 and adapted to Regional History Museum. Returned to Orthodox Church in 1990, restored in 1993. July 23, 2003.

Commercial growth at the turn of the 20th century was boosted by agriculture and the construction of grain elevators. The transfer to Chelyabinsk of the main eastern customs point meant that the lucrative trade in Chinese tea was now processed in the town’s tea sorting plants. All of this was enabled by the railroad.

Chelyabinsk Synagogue. Built in 1903-05, the synagogue was closed in 1929 and converted to club for Chelyabinsk Tractor Factory. Returned to Jewish community in 1992 and restored in 1999-2000. July 12, 2003.

Revolution and industrialization

In the decade following Prokudin-Gorsky’s visit war, revolution and civil war took their toll, yet Chelyabinsk recovered and tripled its population by 1926. The launching of the Soviet Union’s first five-year economic plan in 1928 and the related collectivization of agriculture meant massive social upheaval. But for Chelyabinsk, the rapid march toward industrialization transformed its appearance and quadrupled its population in just over a decade.

Yalyshev department store, early 20th century. Its modernistic style exemplifies the rapid growth of Chelyabinsk before World War I. July 12, 2003.

A giant tractor factory was intended to launch Soviet agriculture into the machine age, and with the addition of a metallurgical plant, Chelyabinsk joined Magnitogorsk in producing steel and steel products. As a sign of the new age, administrative buildings and housing projects arose in a functional Soviet style.

State Bank Grain Elevator. Built in 1914-16 with advanced reinforced concrete technology as part of a national program for grain storage centers. Used until 1990s, then partially demolished. July 12, 2003.

With the outbreak of war on the Eastern front in June 1941, many military-industrial plants from the western Soviet Union were evacuated to Chelyabinsk, and local factories were reconfigured to produce weapons. The converted tractor factory produced tanks in such numbers that it became known as “Tankograd” (Tank City).      

 With the reconstruction of the country after the war, demand increased for Chelyabinsk steel and machinery. The region also became a center for research and production of atomic weapons.

View of Chelyabinsk up the Miass River from bridge at Ufa (now Kirov) Street. Photo: Sergey Prokudin-Gorsky. Late summer 1909.

This industrial, technological and military surge came at a price, as Chelyabinsk gained a reputation as one of the most polluted cities in the Soviet Union. In 1957, nuclear waste stored at the Mayak atomic facility located 45 miles northwest of Chelyabinsk exploded in one of the worst such catastrophes before Chernobyl.

View across Miass River toward Kirov (formerly Ufa) Street. July 13, 2003.

Post-Soviet renaissance

In the 1990s, Chelyabinsk and its heavy industry experienced severe financial challenges. With sardonic humor, locals noted that at least the air was easier to breath. The economic situation has now rebounded. The Chelyabinsk Metal Plant — part of the global Mechel Company — and the city’s tractor factory once again employ thousands.

Naum Orlov Drama Theater. Begun in 1973 and opened in 1982, the new Chelyabinsk drama theater has entrances framed with Kasli cast-iron art. July 12, 2003.

The city’s many institutions of higher education — led by South Urals State University and Chelyabinsk State University ­— have contributed greatly to this recovery. Chelyabinsk is also the seat of both a metropolitanate and a bishopric of the Russian Orthodox Church. The bustling red brick town that Prokudin-Gorsky photographed from the Miass River has managed to reunite its cultural and spiritual heritage with contemporary development.                      

Monument to Chelyabinsk volunteers who joined the Urals Volunteer Tank Corps. Formed in 1943, the tank troops fought their way from Oryol to Berlin. Sculptor: Lev Golodnitsky. Unveiled in May 1975. July 13, 2003.

In the early 20th century the Russian photographer Sergei Prokudin-Gorsky devised a complex process for color photography. Between 1903 and 1916 he traveled through the Russian Empire and took over 2,000 photographs with the process, which involved three exposures on a glass plate. In August 1918, he left Russia and ultimately resettled in France with a large part of his collection of glass negatives. After his death in Paris in September 1944, his heirs sold the collection to the Library of Congress. In the early 21st century the Library digitized the Prokudin-Gorsky Collection and made it freely available to the global public. A number of Russian websites now have versions of the collection. In 1986 the architectural historian and photographer William Brumfield organized the first exhibit of Prokudin-Gorsky photographs at the Library of Congress. Over a period of work in Russia beginning in 1970, Brumfield has photographed most of the sites visited by Prokudin-Gorsky. This series of articles will juxtapose Prokudin-Gorsky’s views of architectural monuments with photographs taken by Brumfield decades later.

If using any of Russia Beyond's content, partly or in full, always provide an active hyperlink to the original material.

to our newsletter!

Get the week's best stories straight to your inbox

• New book by William Brumfield reveals the miraculous architecture of the Russian North
• Cherepovets: The sleepy river town that became Russia’s steel giant
• Kasli in the Ural Mountains: The art of sculpting in iron

This website uses cookies. Click here to find out more.