![]() It is a massive building - 180,000 square feet - and foreboding in it’s darkness and mystery. Consequently, all these repurposing attempts eventually failed, leaving the sanatorium in limbo.Waverly Hills Sanatorium stands tall and intimidating on top of one of the highest hills overlooking Jefferson County, Kentucky. The daunting financial implications of such projects further compounded the challenges. Proposals to transform it into a minimum-security prison or an apartment complex surfaced but faced immense local opposition. Several other attempts were made to breathe new life into the old sanatorium. By 1982, Kentucky decided to close the facility due to reports of overcrowding, understaffing, and patient neglect. The facility caters to aging patients who have dementia and severe mental handicaps. In 1962, the sanatorium was briefly repurposed as the Woodhaven Geriatric Center. This marked the end of an era, leaving behind a mammoth structure that would soon grapple with its identity. This advancement led to the closure of the Waverly Hills Sanatorium in 1961, with the remaining patients transferred to Hazelwood Sanatorium in Louisville. With the antibiotic streptomycin development in 1943, tuberculosis cases started to decrease. “ Tunnel Waverly Hills Sanatorium Louisville” by ConspiracyofHappiness is licensed under CC BY 2.0 Waverly Hills Post-Closure and Repurposing Attempts The sanatorium was often the last home for those who failed to overcome the disease, and their stories became an integral part of the sanatorium’s history. Due to ineffective medical treatments, many patients succumbed to their illness. Unfortunately, not all experiences were uplifting. The facility was their haven, offering them medical care and a supportive community. The sanatorium also employed heat lamps and offered positive reassurances to comfort the patients.ĭespite the grim reality of their condition, many patients found solace within the sanatorium’s walls. Here, patients received the prevailing treatment for tuberculosis, which included ample rest, exposure to sunlight, and fresh air. Its establishment in 1910 was also intended to provide a sanctuary for those battling the White Plague. Waverly Hills Sanatorium was pivotal in battling the severe tuberculosis epidemic that had engulfed Jefferson County. “ Waverly Hills Sanatorium Louisville” by ConspiracyofHappiness is licensed under CC BY 2.0 Medical Significance and Patient Experiences Initially built to transport supplies, this tunnel was later used to discreetly move deceased patients away from the sanatorium to prevent demoralizing other patients. ![]() The sanatorium’s infamous “death tunnel” or “body chute” is another hotspot for supernatural occurrences. Some even claim to have seen the apparition of a woman in a nurse’s uniform. Many visitors and paranormal investigators have reported feeling an oppressive, melancholic atmosphere in this room. Legend has it that in the 1920s, a nurse was found hanging in this room, supposedly having taken her own life. One of the most famous stories revolves around Room 502. ![]() Over the years, countless stories and firsthand accounts have painted a picture of a place teeming with spirits, forever trapped within its walls. The Waverly Hills Sanatorium is perhaps most famously known for its alleged paranormal activity. This new structure, with a distinctive façade and expansive windows for air and light, symbolized hope for many afflicted with the disease. In response, a grand five-story building was erected in 1926, expanding the sanatorium’s capacity to over 400 patients. The need for a more extensive facility became apparent as the White Plague continued to wreak havoc.
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