Waverly Hills Sanatorium
Location & Contact InformationAddress: 4400 Paralee Lane, Louisville, Kentucky
Phone: 502-933-2142 (9:00AM - 5:00PM) Website: http://www.therealwaverlyhills.com/ Access: Guided Tours, Private Tours, and Investigations - no trespassing without a reservation.
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History
Early History
The Waverly Hills Sanatorium was originally built on land purchased by Major Thomas H. Hayes in 1883. The land was purchased for his family, and it was known as "the Hayes' family home." Since the home was located so far from the local schools, Major Hayes built a one-room schoolhouse for his two daughters to attend. The schoolhouse was named "The Waverly School" by its teacher, Ms. Lizzie Lee Harris, after her favorite book series by author Walter Scotts, titled "The Waverly Novels." Major Hayes and his family decided that they liked the name, and decided to rename the properly "Waverly Hills."
in 1908, the land was sold to Jefferson County to be used as a treatment center to combat a recent outbreak of tuberculosis in the Ohio River area. This region was hit especially hard by the tuberculosis epidemic due to the wetlands and swamps in the area, which provided ideal conditions for the bacteria to spread and incubate. Due to its high rate of mortality, tuberculosis became known to many as "The White Death."
in 1908, the land was sold to Jefferson County to be used as a treatment center to combat a recent outbreak of tuberculosis in the Ohio River area. This region was hit especially hard by the tuberculosis epidemic due to the wetlands and swamps in the area, which provided ideal conditions for the bacteria to spread and incubate. Due to its high rate of mortality, tuberculosis became known to many as "The White Death."
Original Construction
In 1908, construction began on the first building of the Waverly Hills Sanatorium. It was designed to accommodate the housing of 40-50 patients with early cases of tuberculosis. It was built in a large, open area surrounded by nature to provide a calming atmosphere for its patients. It consisted of two stories, an administrative office, and two open-air pavilions. The building was completed and opened for business on July 26, 1910.
In 1911, the Board of Tuberculosis Hospital was given a $25,000 grant to begin the construction of a new hospital dedicated to the care of advanced cases of pulmonary tuberculosis. In August of 1912, all tuberculosis patients from the Louisville City Hospital were relocated to temporary quarters on the Waverly Hills grounds to await the completion of the new building. The patients lived in tents on the grounds until the new hospital opened in December of that year.
In 1914, a children's pavilion was added for children who were afflicted with tuberculosis. Additionally, the children's pavilion housed the children of adult patients who could not be cared for by their sick parents. This new addition to the sanatorium brought the number of patients housed at Waverly Hills to approximately 140.
In 1911, the Board of Tuberculosis Hospital was given a $25,000 grant to begin the construction of a new hospital dedicated to the care of advanced cases of pulmonary tuberculosis. In August of 1912, all tuberculosis patients from the Louisville City Hospital were relocated to temporary quarters on the Waverly Hills grounds to await the completion of the new building. The patients lived in tents on the grounds until the new hospital opened in December of that year.
In 1914, a children's pavilion was added for children who were afflicted with tuberculosis. Additionally, the children's pavilion housed the children of adult patients who could not be cared for by their sick parents. This new addition to the sanatorium brought the number of patients housed at Waverly Hills to approximately 140.
Expansion
Due to the contagious nature of tuberculosis, Waverly Hills had become its own self-contained community. It had its own zip code, post office, and water treatment facility. All doctors, patients, and other employees of the sanatorium were considered permanent residents of the facility, and were not allowed to leave the campus due to the risk of spreading the disease.
However, it had become obvious to the community that a much larger hospital would be needed to house the growing number of patients afflicted with the disease. In March, 1924 construction began on a new building which was designed to hold over 400 patients. The building opened in October of 1926. It was five stories tall, and was considered to be one of the most modern, well-equipped facilities of it's time.
Waverly Hills was used as a tuberculosis hospital until it was closed in 1961, more than fifteen years after a cure for the disease was discovered. The hospital was deemed obsolete and was quarantined until 1962 when it was reopened as a nursing home for patients with dementia, mobility limitations, and other physical and mental handicaps.
Waverly Hills was used as a tuberculosis hospital until it was closed in 1961, more than fifteen years after a cure for the disease was discovered. The hospital was deemed obsolete and was quarantined until 1962 when it was reopened as a nursing home for patients with dementia, mobility limitations, and other physical and mental handicaps.
Later Years
In 1962, the sanatorium was reopened as "The Woodhaven Geriatrics Center" nursing home. It was primarily used to house elderly patients with dementia, mobility limitations, and other physical and mental handicaps. Woodhaven was closed by the state in 1982 due to patient mistreatment and neglect.
In 1983, Waverly Hills was bought by developer J. Clifford Todd and his architect, Milton Thompson, for $3,000,000. The two planned to convert the land into a minimum-security prison for use by the state of Kentucky, but they abandoned this plan after neighbors and community members began to protest. The property was abandoned by the two developers and was not used again until it was bought by Robert Alberhasky in March of 1996.
In 1996, Robert Alberhasky planned to construct the tallest statue of Jesus on the roof of the sanatorium, and convert the building into a chapel, theater, and gift shop. The project was estimated to cost over $12,000,000, but only managed to raise $3,000 in its first year of fundraising.
In 1983, Waverly Hills was bought by developer J. Clifford Todd and his architect, Milton Thompson, for $3,000,000. The two planned to convert the land into a minimum-security prison for use by the state of Kentucky, but they abandoned this plan after neighbors and community members began to protest. The property was abandoned by the two developers and was not used again until it was bought by Robert Alberhasky in March of 1996.
In 1996, Robert Alberhasky planned to construct the tallest statue of Jesus on the roof of the sanatorium, and convert the building into a chapel, theater, and gift shop. The project was estimated to cost over $12,000,000, but only managed to raise $3,000 in its first year of fundraising.
Waverly Hills was sold to historical and paranormal enthusiasts Tina and Charlie Mattingly in 2001. The couple holds guided tours of the sanatorium, as well as seasonal and annual events. Every Halloween, there is a haunted house that is open to the public. The proceeds of these tours are being used to restore the property.
Legends & Hauntings
The Waverly Hills Sanatorium is known for its history of illness, death, and paranormal occurrences. It has been featured on numerous ghost-hunting television shows, and many claim that it is the most haunted location in the United States. Most of the treatments administered at the sanatorium were primitive and painful. Electroshock therapy was often used to attempt to cure patients, and many experimental methods and surgeries were used, resulting in countless deaths. It is estimated that between 6,000 and 9,000 patients died at Waverly Hills during it's 50 years of operation as a tuberculosis hospital, though some claim the number to be upwards of 50,000.
Known to some as "the white death," tuberculosis claimed the lives of entire families, and sometimes entire towns. In many cases the treatments for the disease were as bad as the disease itself. Many of the experiments conducted at Waverly Hills are considered barbaric and inhumane by today's standards. Patients were left outside on open porches or on the roof of the hospital during all seasons for fresh air treatment. Others were exposed to artificial ultraviolet light which was thought to prevent the spread of bacteria.
Other surgical treatments were much less pleasant. As a last resort, some patients had air-filled balloons inserted into their lungs in order to expand the lungs and facilitate proper breathing. Other patients had ribs and other muscles removed in order to allow more oxygen intake. Few patients survived these procedures.
Known to some as "the white death," tuberculosis claimed the lives of entire families, and sometimes entire towns. In many cases the treatments for the disease were as bad as the disease itself. Many of the experiments conducted at Waverly Hills are considered barbaric and inhumane by today's standards. Patients were left outside on open porches or on the roof of the hospital during all seasons for fresh air treatment. Others were exposed to artificial ultraviolet light which was thought to prevent the spread of bacteria.
Other surgical treatments were much less pleasant. As a last resort, some patients had air-filled balloons inserted into their lungs in order to expand the lungs and facilitate proper breathing. Other patients had ribs and other muscles removed in order to allow more oxygen intake. Few patients survived these procedures.
The Body Chute
This tunnel was originally built to transport supplies from trains up to the facility during the winter. However, the majority of patients who entered Waverly Hills ended up leaving through what has come to be known as "the death tunnel." When a patient died, doctors would send the body to the railroad tracks below via a motorized rail system. The staff at the sanatorium removed the bodies in secret so that their patients wouldn't know how many deaths were occurring at the hospital. The doctors believed that the patients' mental health was just as important as their physical health. If the patients were to discover the true mortality rate, their mental health would surely suffer.
Many visitors report strange occurrences in these tunnels, including mysterious shadow figures, disembodied footsteps and voices, and the sound of the old cable system that has long since been removed.
Many visitors report strange occurrences in these tunnels, including mysterious shadow figures, disembodied footsteps and voices, and the sound of the old cable system that has long since been removed.
The Kitchen
On the bottom floor of Waverly Hills there is a large kitchen and dining hall. These areas have been completely unused for many years, but some investigators claim to hear footsteps, talking, and the sounds of dishes in the dining area. Many visitors also have smelled bread baking in the kitchen, though the ovens have been unused since the 1990's. Doors are known to open and close on their own without an explanation.
There have also been many reports of people seeing a tall man in a white coat who paces the kitchen. Investigators presume he was once a doctor or cook at the sanatorium, but his identity has never been confirmed
There have also been many reports of people seeing a tall man in a white coat who paces the kitchen. Investigators presume he was once a doctor or cook at the sanatorium, but his identity has never been confirmed
5th Floor
Paranormal researchers often find that they are drawn to the 5th floor of the sanatorium. The top floor of Waverly Hills was used to house mentally insane tuberculosis patients. These patients needed to receive treatment, but were considered to be dangerous by staff members. They were kept far from other patients, but could still benefit from fresh air treatment and sunshine. The 5th floor consists of two nurses stations, a pantry, linen room, and two patient rooms. This particular ward is surrounded by glass on both sides in order to isolate patients from their caregivers. Patients were given food and medicine through the glass doors, and had access to an open-roof patio.
Over the years there have been numerous reports of people who have jumped to their death from the 5th floor. People claim to see lights coming from this floor and figures moving in the windows, even when the building was abandoned and there was no electricity. Researchers who have investigated this floor also report hearing disembodied moans and voices, telling them to "get out!"
Over the years there have been numerous reports of people who have jumped to their death from the 5th floor. People claim to see lights coming from this floor and figures moving in the windows, even when the building was abandoned and there was no electricity. Researchers who have investigated this floor also report hearing disembodied moans and voices, telling them to "get out!"
Room 502
In 1928, the head nurse was found dead in room 502. She committed suicide by hanging herself from a light fixture after she became pregnant out of wedlock. When her lover, another doctor at Waverly, refused to marry her, she took her own life. Some people say that her ghost still wanders the 5th floor. She was 29 years old at the time of her death.
In 1932, another nurse committed suicide by jumping from the patio above room 502. No one knows why she would have decided to take her own life, and there are some who speculate that she was pushed to her death. There are no records to indicate that she was pushed, but at the time of her death this was a popular rumor.
After Waverly Hills was closed, a homeless man was murdered in room 502. Some say that he was sacrificed and used in a satanic ritual by a local cult, while others claim that he was murdered as a result of drug related activity. Neither rumor was ever confirmed, but many believe this adds to the infamy of room 502.
In 1932, another nurse committed suicide by jumping from the patio above room 502. No one knows why she would have decided to take her own life, and there are some who speculate that she was pushed to her death. There are no records to indicate that she was pushed, but at the time of her death this was a popular rumor.
After Waverly Hills was closed, a homeless man was murdered in room 502. Some say that he was sacrificed and used in a satanic ritual by a local cult, while others claim that he was murdered as a result of drug related activity. Neither rumor was ever confirmed, but many believe this adds to the infamy of room 502.
Investigations
Waverly Hills Sanatorium is considered to be one of the most haunted locations in the United States. The current owners give guided tours and have hosted countless private investigations. This location has also been featured in many famous TV shows and documentaries, and has had several books written about it over the years.
TelevisionGhost Hunters (SyFy): 2006 - 2007 - 2011
Scariest Places on Earth (ABC): 2001 Death Tunnel (Sony film): 2006 Spooked (documentary): 2006 Celebrity Paranormal Project (VH1): 2006 Haunted (documentary): 2007 Terror Normal (series): 2007 Most Haunted (series): 2008 Ghost Adventures (Travel): 2010 |
LiteratureHaunted Waverly Hills: 2015
Pandemonium (comic): 2012 Waverly Hills Incursion: 2014 The History of Waverly Hills Sanatorium: 2015 With Their Dying Breaths: 2012 The Requiem Rose: 2010 |
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