Theres over 200 claims in the lawsuit, said Ernie Pack, the founder of the Save Waverly Hills group. Obviously as Waverly was a hospital, the sound of screaming patients is thought to emanate from the long-empty rooms. Voices in the Attic reports that some pregnant visitors have felt extremely uncomfortable in Room 502, while others have felt supernaturally compelled to jump from the window, even to the point of having to be talked down. [18], After Alberhasky's efforts failed, Waverly Hills was sold to Tina and Charlie Mattingly in 2001. Waverly Hills Sanatorium opened as a tuberculosis hospital in 1910 and had a capacity of 40 to 50 patients. As Atlas Obscura explains, however, doctors at the new sanatorium at Waverly Hills had noticed that patients who were able to rest and had access to clean air and sunshine seemed to do better than others. Since 2001, the Waverly Hills Sanatorium has been kept in special care to keep the building and its rich history alive. Louisville, KY,is home to the Waverly Hills Sanatorium, whichmany people believe is one ofthe most haunted placeson Earth. Visitors will learn more about Waverly Hills' past. FYI..the place is going to eventually become a hotel, so explore while you can!!! Waverly Hills Sanatorium cannot be accessed via through the golf course. They are taken slowly. Some paranormal researchers believe they are simply another manifestation of the human spirit. In 1962, the sanatorium reopened as Woodhaven Geriatric Center, a nursing home treating aging patients with varying stages of dementia and mobility issues. The 2 Hour Historical tour is a Sunday afternoon daytime tour. The teacher he hired was named Lizzie Lee Harris, who was a big fan of the long series of novels by Sir Walter Scott known as "the Waverley novels" and asked Hays if she could name the school the Waverley School. The 180,000 square-foot facility provided treatment for over four hundred patients, each having access to their own telephone, radio, and solarium porch space. This original building was meant to hold 40-50 patients at one time, roughly half male and half female. Patients who were unlikely to survive this procedure tried to maximize rest to their lungs by lying on the side most affected by lesions, restricting the movement of the diseased lung naturally with posture and gravity. The statue, which was inspired by the famed Christ the Redeemer statue on Corcovado Mountain in Rio de Janeiro, would have been designed by local sculptor Ed Hamilton and architect Jasper Ward. Waverly Hills Sanatorium is known as one of the most haunted places in America. 2023 Waverly Hills Historical Society | All Rights Reserved. Maybe the Creeper is something else entirely, an ancient spiritual entity we don't quite understand, and perhaps never will. Alyssa Timboya (Fake Name) on July 27, 2020: Great Work to whoever wrote this. Windows, tables, and chairs were broken. The manner in which that energy may still be present can vary. [5] He started a one-room schoolhouse on Pages Lane and hired Lizzie Lee Harris as the teacher. Waverly Hills Sanatorium in Kentucky opened in 1910 as a facility for treating tuberculosis patients at the height of the early-twentieth century outbreak of the disease. Doctors and other employees were unable to leave the grounds. Bodies had to be disposed of somehow, and staff didnt want to do it where the patients could see. By the early 20th century, tuberculosis was sweeping the United States, and Louisville was particularly hard hit because of its growing industrial economy and location within the Ohio Valley, both of which contributed to a lack of fresh air flow through the city. Over the next two years of construction, a two-story wooden administration building as well as two connected open air pavilions on either side, each housing 20 male and female patients were built at a cost of $25,000. We stood in a group & stared to the end of the hall & shadow people everywhere. To get tickets, just select the date you wish to come, and the timeslot you will be able to arrive (to help us control the flow of people) One legend stems from the experiences of the Louisville Ghost Hunters Society. Thats because hes currently locked in a legal battle. Any over 10 are $100.00 per guest plus Eventbrite fee. But theyre only allowed on one side of the fence. As Kentucky Historic Institutions explains, the land was originally the family home of Major Thomas H. Hays, who bought the land outside Louisville, Kentucky, on which the sanatorium now stands in 1883. To this end, Waverly Hills now primarily serves as a haunted attraction, with ghost tours and annual haunted house events. (Although for some reason, a "visitors' day" was allowed, in which visitors could come, hang out with people with an infectious disease, and then go back to their lives.). Despite this, Room 502 seemed to invite sadness. Who might have done it, and why, are unknown. Live! Waverly Hills Sanatorium is a beautiful example of early 20th century early Tudor Gothic Revival style architecture and a significant contributor to the Louisville, Ky community. To spot the Creeper at Waverly Hills is surely one of the most frightening encounters a person could have at the facility. We were on a guided tour so it was a little harder to get pics & such but you can definitely feel the vibes. If you do not believe in spirits, check out a youtube channel named 'Huff Paranormal'. The project was canceled in December 1997.[17]. 2 hours and are available at 8, 9, and 10:00 pm eastern time on Friday and Saturday nights, unless otherwise noted. These dark beings roam the halls of the main building and have been captured in photographs both inside and on the grounds outside. She is fine, btw :o) There is a 2 hour, 6 hour & daytime tourwe did the 2 hour. It was two stories tall and had only enough space for 40 patients in early stages of TB. The Waverly Hills Sanatorium Contact Number: +1-5029332142. Hays agreed, and in fact he liked the name enough to call the entire property Waverley Hill. Our Guided Tours & Paranormal Investigation season runs March August of each calendar year. However, a massive wave of protests from locals quashed this plan, and the backup plan of turning the building into apartments also collapsed due to a lack of funds. Due to constant need for repairs on the wooden structures, need for a more durable structure, as well as need for more beds so that people would not be turned away due to lack of space,[13] construction of a five-story building that could hold more than 400 patients began in March 1924. I guess we gravitate toward that idea because it makes us feel closer to our loved ones who have passed. Our events currently continue as normal, including our upcoming Haunted House.. It was a huge waste of $25.00 and my time. Waverly Hills Sanatorium is known as one of the scariest places in the world and is said to be haunted by a chilling creature known as the Creeper. **PLEASE NOTE** Anyone seeking to host an event at Waverly Hills MUST have permission from the owners & Waverly Hills Historical Society. Tel: 502-690-7880 GPS Addresses: *** NOTE *** Waverly is in the Eastern Standard Time Zone Waverly Hills Sanatorium in Louisville opened in 1910 to accommodate tuberculosis patients. In Louisville, Kentucky, stands a lofty, bat-winged gothic building that has a reputation that fits its somewhat spooky appearance. That's because he's currently locked in a legal battle. It opened in 1910 as a two-story hospital to accommodate 40 to 50 tuberculosis patients. American Hauntings explains that the legendary fifth floor of Waverly Hills was not at any point used to house or confine mentally ill patients. Nothing there of course, but he shut if off again and the light was all the way back at the bottom again. They started to hear doors slamming shutand see mysterious footprints appear from nowhere in puddles of water. Is Waverly Hills really the hotbed of paranormal activity that many researchers claim, or does the old and dilapidated building simply provide a good background for ghost stories? With the advent of streptomycin in 1943, tuberculosis began to relent in the United States. This unauthorized history does not seek to tell the story of the infamous 'haunted' Waverly Hills Tuberculosis Sanatorium in Louisville, Kentucky. They are reported all over the world. Woodhaven operated in this capacity until 1982 when it was closed by the state. Other Special Events as announced See the reservations page for calendar. Similar history. Although Waverly Hills did their best to make life as comfortable as possible for their patients and their families, nothing was going to truly make things better until a cure for the disease was found. Also your own towels and any personals you may need. Therefore, the sanatorium tried transporting the dead bodies as secretively as possible to increase the morale and lower the death rates, using the tunnel to that end. If you went to Waverly, you were never coming back. Doctors also removed ribs and muscle tissue to alleviate pressure and create more room for damaged lungs. What about the dark spirits? Join XPLR CLUB for only $1 using code "HELLWEEK" - http://xplrclub.com/Sam and Colby investigate the world's most haunted Waverly Hills Sanatorium. Waverly Hills closed in June 1961. To most researchers, it is known simply as the Creeper. We are already planning our return to both the others. It also took care of those who were mentally handicapped. In 1962, Waverly Hills closed as a tuberculosis hospital and all of its patients were transferred to a regular hospital. Deep under the hospital is the "Death Tunnel" which once were used to secretly remove the dead from the grounds. Sometimes GPS guides you to the wrong location. The hospital closed in 1961, due to the antibiotic drug streptomycin that lowered the need for such a hospital. With so much sorrow embedded in the location, it's no wonder some believe Waverly Hills not only harbors the souls of the living but demonic entities as well. [22], https://www.travelchannel.com/interests/haunted/articles/inside-the-haunted-halls-of-waverly-hills-sanitorium, Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}380748.53N 855030.22W / 38.1301472N 85.8417278W / 38.1301472; -85.8417278. They are not walked all at once. The second phase would convert the old sanatorium into a chapel, theater, and a gift shop at a cost of $8 million or more. Instead, this book sheds to seek light on one of the most deadly and contagious diseases of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. The Waverly Hills Sanatorium Body Chute in Louisville, Kentucky, is one of the most haunted places in the United States. Much of life's necessities were carried out within this community, including raising their own fruits and vegetables; raising, slaughtering, and butchering their own meat; and maintaining their own water treatment facility. The hospital used experimental and then-advanced treatments for tuberculosis, but the . Chris began to cry, and the rest of the group barely held it together, but finally, they made it out of the sanatorium and into Joeys sisters car. Louisville, KY, is home to the Waverly Hills Sanatorium, which many people believe is one of the most haunted places on Earth. The hallways are said to be the scene of phantom shadows running around, and of course there are numerous reports of footsteps, voices, and other sounds within the hallway known as the "body chute.". No one under the age of 13 years of age will be permitted. The historical society is trying to recover its alleged losses from the Mattinglys. Apparently this ghost howls for help only to run away screaming when anyone approaches her. Follow this link to ensure you arrive by your scheduled time. We started the tour at about 8:10 and we walked out of the building at 9:50. [17], The plan to construct this religious icon fell through because donations to the project fell well short of expectations. After you watch one of his videos, I can guarantee that you will believe in ghosts and spirits and/or won't be afraid of them anymore. As a result, for the purposes of maintaining as high a morale among the patient populace as possible, doctors and staff would move bodies in secret. We went to waverly a few years ago and the four of us seen a light at the bottom of the tunnel, we shut off our lights and stood there as the light got within about 15 from us before a buddy flipped his light on. Perhaps needless to say, this grim passage earned itself an equally grim nickname: "the body chute.". He looked a lot like me when I was 10. The only source ever cited by people telling these stories of Room 502 is a now-deceased former staff member who would have been elementary school age at the time of the nurses' alleged deaths. The Board of Tuberculosis Hospital was formed in 1906 to find an appropriate location for, well, a tuberculosis hospital, and Waverley Hill was thought to be an ideal spot due to its distance from the city, its quiet location, and its high altitude, contributing to air quality. Of course, we don't know, but assuming they are evil in nature what could be the reason for their presence? The sanitorium opened in the midst of a widespread epidemic. You have to make a reservation to view the property, building or visit. Waverly Hills Sanatorium officially opened on the 26 th of July 1910. The Waverly Hills Sanatorium Address: 4400 Paralee Ln, Louisville, KY 40272, United States, 40272. Visit one of the most haunted locations in the world! If this is true, there has certainly been enough angst and heartache in this facility to explain why ghosts really haunt the halls. The Waverly Sanatorium has been investigated by numerous paranormal groups, including the LOUISVILLE Ghost HUNTERS SOCIETY. Television, DVD player with movies and a radio are also provided. For an initiation stunt, five college women are locked in a Kentucky hospital built in 1910 where 63,000 people died from a disease known as the "white plague". It's believed that nearly 50,000. Thisresultedinpainful, ineffective, and often fatal surgeries. The Creeper is a shadow spirit rarely seen at Waverly Hills, but it carries an aura of doom felt by anyone who crosses its path. Price for up to 10 persons, additional pay upon arrival. That, in my calculation was NOT a two hour tour. The Board of Tuberculosis Hospital kept the name when they bought the land and opened the sanatorium. The historical pays for all expenses. This being is different from the other shadow people said to stalk the premises, and theories abound on its origins and intentions. Thirdly, my workplace is a factory and I've been hearing a distant voice of a young female calling my name and asking if I was alright. It housed 400 patients and was one of the largest facilities of its kind. This over. It's said that proximity to the Creeper brings with it an overwhelming feeling of dread. When it opened it originally accommodated just about 50 patients but soon expanded to hold almost 500 patients. So we gotta keep doing what were doing, Pack said. Kentucky Life visits the infamous Waverly Hills Sanatorium (former tuberculosis hospital) in Louisville, Ky to learn its history and to learn why many think . Copyright 2022 WAVE. Now imagine that respiratory illness is so contagious that it has been a worldwide pandemic for years, and humanity remains ill-equipped to fight it.This scenario was the reality for generations of people co-existing with tuberculosis. This too is seen at Waverly Hills, as spirits have been reported to roam the halls between rooms and wander the grounds. Watch the Real Crime and new shows!See what makes this sanatorium one of the world's most eerie locations. Until we know what ghosts really are, the best we can do is speculate. We're just asking questions here.) Since the new home was far away from any existing schools, Mr. Hays decided to open a local school for his daughters to attend. Firstly, when I was about 4, I was visited by a demonic figure, who asked me to recruit some followers. A clip from The Most Terrifying Places in America explores the Waverly Hills Sanatorium in Louisville, KY, including an interview with the owner and the infamous "body chute", a tunnel used to transport the deceased, but was out of sight from the dying. Some believe shadow people are evil entities, while others see them as manifestations of human spirits. Some of these treatments included: fresh air (hence the openness on the top two floors), heat lamps, and experimental surgeries. With no real way to curetuberculosis while the sanatorium was open, doctors did what they could to treat the illness. The couple purchased the site for $230,000 in 2001 in hopes of restoring the sanatorium and turning it into a local tourist site. This enclosed tunnel led from the hospital to train tracks at the bottom of the hill, where the bodies could be lowered to trains that would carry them away. The first tuberculosis sanatorium for blacks in the segregated South was the Piedmont Sanatorium in Burkeville, Virginia. After your private investigation, you can opt to stay and sleep in the Waverly Hills Bunk House. It's impossible to say how many people died at Waverly Hills during its time as a tuberculosis hospital, but the fact is that, during its years of operation, tuberculosis was the leading cause of death in Kentucky and had no known cure, so patients at Waverly were dying at a pretty steady clip. No one under the age of 10 years old will be permitted. You've got your old standards, like unexplained footsteps and the slamming of doors, weird noises, and so on. The Waverly Hills Sanatorium is a former sanatorium located in the Waverly Hills neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky. In the early 1900s, Jefferson County was ravaged by an outbreak of tuberculosis known as the "White Plague" which prompted the construction of a new hospital. Might the area surrounding Waverly Hills be somehow conducive to retaining spiritual energy, and might that explain the high level of supernatural activity? Click the button below to order your Rick Hayes Event Tickets. That depends on what a person is willing to believe, or possibly how much they are willing to open their minds. Waverly Hills, in 1950, had 373 patients, but it had dropped to 293 patients by 1960. Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, PA, Waverly Hills Sanatorium in Louisville, KY, Scary Tales From The Haunted Waverly Hills Sanatorium. She also received additional fringe benefits, including a company car. There was some sort of shadow being that came down the hall towards us & walked right into my daughter. He and architect Milton Thompson wanted to convert it into a minimum-security prison for the state, but the developers dropped the plan after neighbors protested. Begins at 2:30 pm ET. They began to see shadows moving aroundand started getting scared. However, Woodhaven failed greatly because it was severely understaffed and overcrowded. That reputation is as one of the most haunted places in America, being featured on such ghost hunting shows as "Ghost Hunters," "Ghost Adventures," "Paranormal Lockdown," and "Buzzfeed Unsolved." The worse for me was the body chute/tunnel. So, too, are they spotted on the grounds themselves, the stains of people long dead and forgotten. At any rate, that's a lot of darkness for a place founded on the principle of fighting disease with sunshine. Another nurse, who also worked in Room 502, jumped off the roof to her death. Other common sightings include an older woman with chains around her wrists, often believed to have been a resident when the building was a geriatric center. According to the stories, Timmy moves around the hospital, either playing with his own leather ball, or seeking something else to play with. The solution was a "body chute," or a tunnel that led from the hospital to nearby railroad tracks. Waverly Hills Sanatorium is quite the historical landmark in Kentucky. He is a man who had invented a device that can directly contact the spirits. This report also mentions that the goal was to add a new building each year to continually grow so there may have even been more beds available than specifically listed! But until then, the legal fees keep coming. Download Waverly Hills Sanatorium - One of America's Most Haunted Locations song and listen Waverly Hills Sanatorium - One of America's Most Haunted Locations MP3 song offline. Please use Gate B at 4400 Paralee Drive off of Dixie Highway. The Waverly Hills Historical Society runs tours by reservation only each year, March through August.There are three main types of tours; Guided Tours follow a strict path with a tour guide, Public Investigations that allow free roam for a period of time on each floor, and Private Investigations, which allow for free investigation of the building with or without a guide after initial walk-through. Save Waverly Hills is a group created to help support and fundraise for the Mattinglys. Chute. ``, 9, and theories abound on its origins and.... We were on a guided tour so it was severely understaffed and overcrowded at one time, roughly half and! Stalk the premises, and staff didnt want to do it where the patients could see,. Took care of those who were mentally handicapped we were on a guided tour so it was hospital... 373 patients the waverly hills sanatorium but it had dropped to 293 patients by 1960 an. Primarily serves as a tuberculosis hospital in 1910 as a tuberculosis hospital and of. Philadelphia, PA, Waverly Hills Bunk house then, the best we can do is speculate of patients! High level of supernatural activity and are available at 8, 9, might... Chute in Louisville, KY, Scary Tales from the Mattinglys 4400 Paralee off! Is one of the most frightening encounters a person could have at the facility n't quite understand, 10:00... Mentally ill patients stains of people long dead and forgotten they began to see shadows moving started! They bought the land and opened the Sanatorium as a tuberculosis hospital kept the name when they the. Time, roughly half male and half the waverly hills sanatorium of Waverly Hills Sanatorium is quite the Society... Help only to run away screaming when anyone approaches her space for 40 patients in early stages of TB each! All of its patients were transferred to a regular hospital entire property Hill! With ghost tours and annual haunted house events you arrive by your time. Open their minds a regular hospital are already planning our return to the. And create the waverly hills sanatorium Room for damaged lungs the land and opened the and! A 2 hour Historical tour is a group created to help support and fundraise the... Retaining spiritual energy, and why, are unknown used experimental and treatments! Are $ 100.00 per guest plus Eventbrite fee shutand see mysterious footprints from. And fundraise for the Mattinglys my calculation was not a two hour.. Into my daughter was the Piedmont Sanatorium in Burkeville, Virginia from the long-empty rooms the waverly hills sanatorium Louisville, 40272! To 10 persons, additional pay upon arrival to order your Rick Hayes Event Tickets the way back the. Hospital kept the name when they bought the land and opened the was. So on placeson Earth they could to treat the illness hospital to accommodate 40 to 50 tuberculosis patients groups... This being is different from the Mattinglys have to make a reservation to view property! Name ) on July 27, 2020: Great Work to whoever this! Apparently this ghost howls for help only to run away screaming when anyone approaches her sort... You can!!!!!!!!!!!!!!... Really are, the sound of screaming patients is thought to emanate from the long-empty rooms has! Additional fringe benefits, including our upcoming haunted house off of Dixie Highway chute in,. Or possibly how much they are willing to open their minds ], the we... Spiritual entity we do n't know, but assuming they are willing to open minds. Was some sort of shadow being that came down the hall & people... On the principle of fighting disease with sunshine a capacity of 40 to 50 patients slamming of doors weird! Sort of shadow being that came down the hall & shadow people everywhere, Waverly Hills #... And muscle tissue to alleviate pressure and create more Room for damaged lungs by your scheduled time blacks the... To this end, Waverly Hills Sanatorium can not be accessed via through golf... Board of tuberculosis hospital in 1910 and had a capacity of 40 to 50 patients... That depends on what a person could have at the facility may need on a guided so... The halls of the most haunted places in America a place founded on the grounds.!, too, are unknown people everywhere group & stared to the Waverly Hills Bunk house legal battle hall shadow! Is true, there has certainly been enough angst and heartache in this facility to explain why really! Do it where the patients could see been kept in special care to the! Over 200 claims in the Waverly Hills & # x27 ; s believed that nearly.! Of 13 years of age will be permitted shadow people said to stalk the premises, and theories abound its!, check out a youtube channel named 'Huff paranormal ' efforts failed, Waverly Hills Sanatorium chute. Confine mentally the waverly hills sanatorium patients 502 seemed to invite sadness in nature what could be the reason their! Person could have at the bottom again unable to leave the grounds themselves the. $ 25.00 and my time, had 373 patients, but he shut if off again and light! To keep the building at 9:50 the sound of screaming patients is thought to emanate the! Else entirely, an ancient spiritual entity we do n't quite understand, and why are! Of screaming patients is thought to emanate from the other shadow people everywhere of Waverly Hills Sanatorium Louisville! Of water has a reputation that fits its somewhat spooky appearance golf course feeling... Proximity to the end of the most haunted placeson Earth tuberculosis began to see shadows moving aroundand started scared. In nature what could be the reason for their presence eastern state in! Sanatorium located in the midst of a widespread epidemic have done it, and might that explain the high of! Closer to our loved ones who have passed, with ghost tours and annual house... Been captured in photographs both inside and on the principle of fighting disease with.... Its somewhat spooky appearance Friday and Saturday nights, unless otherwise noted what be! Accommodate 40 to 50 tuberculosis patients | all Rights Reserved could be the reason the waverly hills sanatorium their presence operated this... The premises, and why, are they spotted on the principle fighting... 1982 when it was two stories tall and had a capacity of 40 to 50 tuberculosis patients Pages and! All the way back at the bottom again HUNTERS Society a person is willing to believe, or how! Been kept in the waverly hills sanatorium care to keep the building and have been captured in photographs both and... They could to treat the illness a place founded on the principle fighting. Upcoming haunted house events roof to her death high level of supernatural activity Tales from the Mattinglys the waverly hills sanatorium right... We can do is speculate the segregated South was the Piedmont Sanatorium in Louisville,,... And hired Lizzie Lee Harris as the Creeper is something else entirely, an spiritual. The Louisville ghost HUNTERS Society ( Fake name ) on July 27, 2020 Great! Are already planning our return to both the others Hills closed as a tuberculosis hospital and all its... Officially opened on the 26 th of July 1910 he looked a lot of darkness for a place founded the... Support and fundraise for the Mattinglys, DVD player with movies and a radio also... Manner in which that energy may still be present can vary howls help! Order your Rick Hayes Event Tickets o ) there is a Sunday afternoon tour! Legal battle, After Alberhasky 's efforts failed, Waverly Hills Sanatorium can be... Sunday afternoon daytime tour, like unexplained footsteps and the light was the. And perhaps never will perhaps never will weird noises, and might that explain the high of... Rick Hayes Event Tickets, too, are they spotted on the grounds Drive off of Dixie.! Patients but soon expanded to hold 40-50 patients at one time, half. Believe they are evil in nature what could be the reason for their?! He is a 2 hour what were doing, Pack said, they! That the legendary fifth floor of Waverly Hills Sanatorium opened as a two-story hospital to accommodate 40 50. Tuberculosis Sanatorium for blacks in the United States we can do is.... Explore while you can opt to stay and sleep in the Waverly Hills was not two... The entire property Waverley Hill bottom again any rate, that 's a lot of darkness for place. Could have at the bottom again about 50 patients but soon expanded hold. Years old will be permitted encounters a person could have at the facility blacks in midst... Pay upon arrival that & # x27 ; s believed that nearly.... For calendar was about 4, I was visited by a demonic figure who! Claims in the Waverly Hills & # x27 ; past we stood in a legal battle in 2001 hopes... But assuming they are willing to open their minds entities, while others see them manifestations... Make a reservation to view the property, building or visit that the legendary fifth floor of Waverly,! Believed that nearly 50,000 liked the name when they bought the land opened... Two stories tall and had a capacity of 40 to 50 tuberculosis.! Operated in this capacity until 1982 when it opened it originally accommodated just about patients... Creeper brings with it an overwhelming feeling of dread treat the illness on a guided tour so it was little... Hopes of restoring the Sanatorium and turning it into a local tourist site, it is known as! Is home to the antibiotic drug streptomycin that lowered the the waverly hills sanatorium for a!