The Whitlock Family Sinkhole House Abandoned After Land Collapse

The Whitlock family established Hollowmere House in 1908 after Daniel Whitlock built the residence on inherited woodland near the village of Pine Hollow. Three generations lived there, including Daniel, his wife Margaret, their children, and later grandchildren who assisted with forestry surveys and land management. The family earned income from timber contracts, geological surveys, and guiding researchers through the surrounding forest.

Early records describe the house as a well-maintained rural home with active study rooms and regular repairs before the growing sinkhole created concerns about safety and reduced the value of the property.

The first warning sign appeared in 1926 when county officials issued a safety notice after ground movement was detected near the terrace. By 1928, the Whitlocks stopped using the lower observation deck and closed the side wing because of structural concerns. The collapse of nearby land reduced demand for timber access and ended several survey contracts. With unpaid repair bills, property taxes, and insurance costs increasing, Daniel could not finance necessary stabilization work. In 1932, the family left Hollowmere House and moved to a nearby settlement after officials restricted access around the expanding sinkhole.

Hollowmere House was abandoned in 1933 after continued ground collapse, unpaid expenses, and unresolved ownership concerns made the property unusable. No restoration occurred, and no Whitlock descendants returned after relocating away from Pine Hollow. County records noted safety restrictions and uncertain responsibility for the deteriorating structure. The remaining rooms stayed closed with family documents and furniture left behind. Over decades, moisture, vegetation, and structural movement damaged the residence and attached observation areas. The sinkhole house remains empty beside the forest clearing, continuing to deteriorate without restoration or confirmed future use.