Haunted Mental Hospital

Few other buildings seem to generate as much paranormal activity as a haunted mental hospital. Read on to learn more about the Waverly Hills Sanatorium, one of the scariest haunted mental hospitals in the United States.

Out of all mental hospitals in the world, Waverly Hills is, by far, one of the spookiest. Numerous ghost hunting groups have investigated the gigantic property, including Ohio Ghost Hunters, Louisiana Spirits Paranormal, Haunted Indiana Magazine, and even TAPS as shown in this YouTube video.

The hospital's earliest history involved a great deal of death and terrible human suffering. Originally named "The Waverly Hills Sanatorium at Waverly Hills," this giant structure was constructed from 1908 through July 26, 1910. In 1924, as Tuberculosis, a serious bacterial lung infection, reached epidemic proportions, the overcrowded structure was expanded into a 400 patient sanatorium. The only known treatment at the time was fresh air, nutritious food and plenty of rest. Patients were placed just outside their rooms in front of giant screened windows or open porches, even in the winter. Experimental treatments also took place, including exposing patient's lungs to ultraviolet light, surgically implanting balloons and removing ribs and chest muscles. Most patients died during such "last-resort" procedures. There was also a famous "body chute", through which the dead would travel down on a motorized rail and cable system to the waiting vehicle. The purpose of the "chute" was to protect the mental well-being of living patients.

Once the antibiotic Streptomycin was found to cure Tuberculosis in 1944, the number of patients afflicted with the illness quickly began to decline. By 1961, Waverly Hills was closed down. Just one year later, the facility reopened and served as the Woodhaven Geriatrics Center. It was essentially a large home for the elderly, but it also served as a "treatment center" for the insane who were housed in a special unit. In the early '80s, reports of patient abuse began to surface at similar facilities throughout the country. Waverly was no exception. One of the verified true stories of mistreatment at Waverly involved the use of electroshock therapy that caused loss of speech and even death. The State closed the facility in 1981 due to such patient abuse.

Waverly Hills Sanatorium is easily one of the most haunted in the country, and this explains why so many paranormal groups go there to investigate.

On the fifth floor at Waverly Hills is a room where investigators have reported seeing strange shapes and shadows in the windows as well as a distinct disembodied voice shouting "get out!" According to legend, a head nurse was found dead there in 1928 after committing suicide by hanging herself from the light fixture. Another legend is that yet another nurse jumped from the patio in 1939 and fell to her death. Many paranormal groups have attempted to discover historical documents to support the stories, but so far no one has been successful. However, investigators continue to report a great deal of strange activity in and around this fifth floor room.

At the main entrance, many investigators have reported seeing an old woman running out of the front door screaming for help. Witnesses describe her as being very old, with her hands and legs wrapped in chains and blood dripping from her wrists. Most who have seen this apparition believe that she was one of the mistreated residents during the time the building was used as a geriatric facility, likely bound or restrained too tightly by her wrists and ankles.

Witnesses have reported seeing a little girl on the third floor. Investigators see her peering from the third floor windows, and one man reported encountering a spooky little girl who "wasn't normal". He claimed that she kept saying she had no eyes. The experience scared the man so much that he refused to return to the building ever again.

A few witnesses have reported hearing children singing "Ring Around the Rosy" on the rooftop. This claim is supported by the historical evidence. When the building was used as a Tuberculosis hospital, children were brought to the roof so that they could be exposed to fresh air and sunshine. Old photographs from the hospital show children on the roof with nurses.

One of the most common reports of paranormal activity is seeing the small child named "Timmy". The legend is that Timmy was a little boy at the hospital who loved to bounce a ball in the hallways. After he died, visitors would often report seeing the ball rolling down the hallway. Throughout the years, security guards have reported seeing the same thing. A few paranormal groups have even captured video of small shadows and a ball rolling on its own.

In 1996, a religious group purchased the property with plans to renovate it and turn it into a large worship center. When funding efforts fell through, the owner attempted to have the building condemned so that it could be demolished. Those efforts failed. In 2001, Charles and Tina Mattingly purchased the huge complex for only $250,000 and began renovations to turn it into a very large haunted bed and breakfast. Renovations are still taking place, and the owners provide two hour guided tours as well as half night and overnight stays for those who are brave enough. They also conduct a yearly "haunted house" fundraiser event throughout October in order to raise more money for those renovations. For more information, contact the Waverly Hills Office at (502) 933-2142.

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