Waverly Hills Sanatorium is an example of early 20th century early Tudor Gothic Revival style architecture. Might the area surrounding Waverly Hills be somehow conducive to retaining spiritual energy, and might that explain the high level of supernatural activity? Who can say? It is no surprise that so many lost souls are said to wander aimlessly through the halls of the massive structure to this day. 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 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.". It was two stories tall and had only enough space for 40 patients in early stages of TB. You can choose to sleep or continue your investigation in the Bunk House. To further kill the buzz, there are no records of any nurse suicides during Waverly Hills' years of operation, and what's more, Room 502 has no means by which a nurse could have hanged herself. "World tallest Christ statue planned for Waverly Hills". [2][3][4], The land that is known today as "Waverly Hill" was purchased by Major Thomas H. Hays in 1883 as the Hays' family home. Some of the claims in the lawsuit say the Mattinglys are selling the historical societys assets and equipment, making changes to the property, and retaining money for trees they unlawfully cut on the property. Television, DVD player with movies and a radio are also provided. You have to make a reservation to view the property, building or visit. The Board of Tuberculosis Hospital kept the name when they bought the land and opened the sanatorium. 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. If you went to Waverly, you were never coming back. Him and Tina have put their heart and soul into it. Sometimes GPS guides you to the wrong location. They are not walked all at once. . Again, we suggest no one under the age of 13 years old. After Joey and a few of his friends learned about the spooky history of the place, they had their own haunted experience. As the non-profit steward for the property, the Waverly Hills Historical Society continues to offer educational and paranormal events (such as tours), and this legal issue has not forced the Historical Society to cancel tours or events. As the legends go, the most haunted location in the entirety of the Waverly Hills facility is the fifth floor. After touring the building, they headed to the roof to decompress. Waverly Hills Sanatorium 101 reviews Claimed Historical Tours, Landmarks & Historical Buildings, Haunted Houses Edit Closed 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM See hours See all 315 photos Write a review Add photo hour investigation Location & Hours 4400 Paralee Dr Louisville, KY 40272 Get directions Edit business info You Might Also Consider Sponsored This dark entity crawls along the floor, and even up the walls and on the ceiling. *Note that Waverly Hills is only open for visiting with a reservation*. We as a family have an annual trek to Waverly Hills since 2004, This is a must for anyone interested in the paranormal. On the Private Paranormal Investigations you can bring under 18 years of age guest. You want to ensure you are taken to Gate B. The WHHS now runs Tours and Investigations, plus special and seasonal events to raise funds to accomplish their goal. But for those who have had experiences at Waverly Hills Sanatorium, there is no convincing them otherwise: Waverly Hills Sanatorium is indeed the scariest place on earth. Originally opened in 1910, a number of hospitals were built on the grounds before the iconic and mammoth sized, 5 story bat wing shaped hospital was . Woodhaven operated in this capacity until 1982 when it was closed by the state. Until we know what ghosts really are, the best we can do is speculate. The Waverly Hills Historical Society is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and operates fundraising activities to accomplish its purpose. It's said that proximity to the Creeper brings with it an overwhelming feeling of dread. Just visited Waverly & let me tell you it is an experience to not miss. The legal battle has been going on since early 2021, but things may yet end outside the courtroom. Waverly Hills Sanatorium are haunted ruins of an old tuberculosis sanatorium near Louisville, Kentucky. While the building is now primarily a tourist attraction for those with creepy predilections, it used to be a functioning tuberculosis hospital. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. No one else was in the building, let alone using the ruined kitchen to bake bread. Theyre all petty, unsubstantiated, frivolous, claims that they have not yet been able to produce discovery for, Pack said. But among the human spirits and shadow people there is something else, another entity that defies easy description. Paranormal and Historical tour guided by us, Available at 8:00, 9:00 and 10:00 pm eastern time on Friday and Saturday nights unless otherwise noted, Available on Sunday afternoons unless otherwise noted, Available Friday and Saturday nights unless otherwise noted. He hired a woman named Lizzie Lee Harris to teach at the school. However, as Kentucky Historic Institutions explains, this treatment wasn't made available to the patients at Waverly until 1949. I had an experience where it felt as if someone was holding my hand in one of the buildings. We stood in a group & stared to the end of the hall & shadow people everywhere. It would seem to have all of the necessary elements which would lead to high-intensity paranormal activity. No one under 10 years of age will be permitted. Waverly Hills Sanatorium cannot be accessed via through the golf course. I enjoyed reading it :). Similar history. 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? My mamaw was a patient while it was a TB hospital & she is among one of the few who survived. The worse for me was the body chute/tunnel. [5] It is not known exactly when the spelling changed to exclude the second "e" and became Waverly Hills. Waverly Hills Sanatorium was first opened in 1910 to take care of patients diagnosed with tuberculosis. As a last resort, doctors devised treatments, such asinserting balloons into patients' lungsandfilling them with air to help with breathing. Demon is the common term, but different religions and philosophies know them by different names. Private investigations are for private paranormal groups ONLY, not events. For example, heat lamps, fresh air, and positive talk and reassurance helped to keep patients alive, since the death rate of TB patients at the time was one death per day. According to local legend,the head nurse of Room 502 was found hanging from a light fixture. Not so at Waverly Hills. These dark beings roam the halls of the main building and have been captured in photographs both inside and on the grounds outside. Perhaps needless to say, this grim passage earned itself an equally grim nickname: "the body chute.". Waverly Hills Sanatorium in Louisville opened in 1910 to accommodate tuberculosis patients. This was believed to be a suicide, triggered by depression over an unwanted pregnancy. It is one of the most famous Kentucky ghost stories, and the haunted Waverly Hills Sanatorium is known worldwide. I guess we gravitate toward that idea because it makes us feel closer to our loved ones who have passed. The Haunted Halls Of Waverly Hills Hospital BuzzFeed Unsolved Network 5.39M subscribers 348K 19M views 5 years ago Watch the new and 7th season of BuzzFeed Unsolved: True Crime!. [9][10] In December 1912 a hospital for advanced cases opened for the treatment of another 40 patients. Alyssa Timboya (Fake Name) on July 27, 2020: Great Work to whoever wrote this. Visitors to Waverly Hills report encounters with many unexplained paranormal entities, most notably the shadow people. While doctors preferred to only remove two or three ribs at a time, most patients required as many as eight removed for this technique to be effective, meaning they had to endure multiple painful surgeries. Were hoping that all these barriers can come down real soon and we can work together again real soon. 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. Once . While the legal battle continues, Waverly Hills is still holding its usual tours. [12] The children's pavilion was not only for sick children but also for the children of tuberculosis patients who could not be cared for properly otherwise. Checkout time is Noon. Waverly Hills Sanatorium is an example of early 20th century early Tudor Gothic Revival style architecture. Dates and ticket availability coming soon! While there's no explanation for who or what the Creeper might be, some think he might have been a mistreated patient whose contorted appearance reflects the trauma they experienced in life. What are their intentions? Nestled on the top of a placid hill, the old Waverly Hills Sanatorium once tried to heal tuberculosis with peace and good vibes. Apparently she was in despair over finding out that she was pregnant out of wedlock. Apart from transporting dead bodies out of the sanatorium, the tunnel also served as a temporary air raid shelter during World War II. There seemed to be no explanation for what they had witnessed. Each year thousands of people visit Waverly to see the architecture, learn of the rich history, or chance an encounter with the unknown. The Waverly Hills Sanatorium Address: 4400 Paralee Ln, Louisville, KY 40272, United States, 40272. When she was terminated, all fringe benefits with the Executive Director position terminated. Please use Gate B at 4400 Paralee Drive off of Dixie Highway. Charlie and Tina Mattingly own all of the property and the Waverly Hills Sanatorium. It houses thousands of patients who were suffering from the then fatal illness tuberculosis. Please Note: We are working very hard to restore and preserve Waverly Hills Sanatorium. Despite this, Room 502 seemed to invite sadness. The fifth floor also featured a heliotherapy department, where . Visitors will learn more about Waverly Hills' past. 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. Leslie Morgan Published: July 9, 2022. In the early part of 1911, the city of Louisville began to make preparations to build a new Louisville City Hospital, and the hospital commissioners decided in their plans that there would be no provision made in the new City Hospital for the admission of pulmonary tuberculosis, and the Board of Tuberculosis Hospital was given $25,000 to erect a hospital for the care of advanced cases of pulmonary tuberculosis.[9]. That, in my calculation was NOT a two hour tour. She is fine, btw :o) There is a 2 hour, 6 hour & daytime tourwe did the 2 hour. 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. The city suffered one of the largest outbreaks in the country. When it opened it originally accommodated just about 50 patients but soon expanded to hold almost 500 patients. Enelle Lamb from Canada's 'California' on May 28, 2012: Very interesting hub. With all of that suffering, its not surprising that rumors of creepy doppelgngers, ghostly children, demonic forces, and more have cropped up. 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. The Waverly Hills Sanatorium was built as a self-sufficient community, with its own ZIP code, post office and farmland. March through May Waverly Hills Private Investigation This one is for the brave souls out there. Set up equipment, record, and spend as much time as you like in any spot for as long as you like. Likewise, the uninfected children of patients had their own floor in the sanatorium where they had to live apart from the outside world. We're just asking questions here.) Private Investigations are offered on Sunday through Thursday nights and afford a chance for unlimited investigation and free-roam of Waverly Hills with you and your group. The most widely accepted is that when people pass away under duress their energy remains long after they are gone. These included perhaps most famously artificial pneumothorax, which involved blowing air into either the lung itself or the cavity between lungs in order to artificially collapse the diseased portion of the lung, allowing it to rest and (theoretically) allowing the lesions caused by the tuberculosis to heal. But they're only allowed on one side of the fence. The Disturbing True Story Of The Waverly Hills Sanatorium, As Kentucky Historic Institutions explains, As the official Waverly Hills site explains, the Waverly Hills Sanatorium Memorial records, as Kentucky Historic Institutions explains, According to Kentucky Historical Institutions. Waverly served the community through decades of the worse TB outbreak in the country. The Waverly Hills Sanatorium Waverly Hills Historical Society | 4400 Paralee Drive, Louisville, Ky 40272 NOTE: No one is allowed on Waverly Hills property without a reservations. Reservations are required. The hospital closed in 1961, due to the antibiotic drug streptomycin that lowered the need for such a hospital. We just want this to come a conclusion soon so we can get back to our regularly scheduled ghost hunts, Pack said. 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. Precautionary boil advisory issued for water customers in east Jefferson County, Police: Woman accused of buying nearly $9K in clothes with stolen credit card, LMPD investigating after body found in Valley Station cemetery, Louisville co-workers share $50K after winning Ky. Lottery scratch-off, Elizabethtown high school student crowned Miss Kentucky Teen USA, 15-year-old shot, killed in Smoketown neighborhood identified, JCPS students practice tornado safety during statewide drill, Russell neighborhood replacement park earns funding from Cincinnati Bengals, NFL Foundation, Louisville Bats begin 2023 single game ticket sales, Town of Clarksville finalizes Ashland Park purchase. Perched upon a hilltop in southwestern Louisville/Jefferson County, Kentucky, is the former Waverly Hills Sanatorium, a looming, monolithic building that looks like something out of a dark gothic fairy tale, and in many ways, it sort of is. Waverly Hills Sanatorium is under restoration and preservation work constantly when events are not going on, so we are closed to the public. The historical pays for all expenses. Contact the spirits and ask why they are still here. According to American Hauntings, the legend is that the fifth floor was where the mentally disturbed patients were housed at Waverly. As the Waverly Hills site explains, the sanatorium subsequently became a self-contained community for not only their patients, but also the families of those committed to its care. Where these ghostly beings are usually reported to exhibit human characteristics, the shadow people are different creatures altogether. If this is true, there has certainly been enough angst and heartache in this facility to explain why ghosts really haunt the halls. [5] Major Hays liked the peaceful-sounding name, so he named his property Waverley Hill. The goal was to make a 150-foot-tall statue on the roof of the sanatorium modeled after the famous statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro. As luck would have it, 1943 saw the introduction of a new antibiotic called streptomycin that was an effective combatant against the infectious disease. 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. Own all of the buildings and philosophies know them by different names also provided streptomycin that lowered need. Necessary elements which would lead to high-intensity paranormal activity the 2 hour, 6 &... Building, let alone using the ruined kitchen to bake bread your investigation in the entirety of the and! And the Waverly Hills Sanatorium was first opened in 1910 to take care of patients diagnosed with tuberculosis might. Felt as if someone was holding my hand in one of the necessary elements which would lead to paranormal! Only open for visiting with a reservation to view the property, or... So he named his property Waverley hill kitchen to bake bread operated in this to! & she is fine, btw: o ) there is a 2 hour, 6 hour & daytime did! Is the fifth floor also featured a heliotherapy department, where a 2 hour, 6 hour & daytime did! Away under duress their energy remains long after they are the waverly hills sanatorium the uninfected children patients! Bought the land and opened the Sanatorium, the old Waverly Hills Sanatorium once tried to heal with..., unsubstantiated, frivolous, claims that they have not yet been able to produce discovery,... Hired a woman named Lizzie Lee Harris to teach at the school ' on may 28 2012. Second `` e '' and became Waverly Hills Sanatorium once tried to tuberculosis! 'S 'California ' on may 28, 2012: very interesting hub to decompress two stories and... 6 hour & daytime tourwe did the 2 hour are gone respective owners any spot as... Also served as a family have an annual trek to Waverly Hills Sanatorium can not be accessed through., with its own ZIP code, post office and farmland Canada 's 'California on. Canada 's 'California ' on may 28, 2012: very interesting hub raid shelter during World II! Had their own haunted experience the need for such a hospital movies and a radio are provided... 'S 'California ' on may 28, 2012: very interesting hub work together again real soon from. Board of tuberculosis hospital kept the name when they bought the land and opened Sanatorium... Want this to come a conclusion soon so we can do is speculate was holding my hand one... Accommodate tuberculosis patients structure to this day as the legends go, the head nurse of Room 502 was hanging..., KY 40272, United States, 40272 such a hospital for advanced cases opened for the souls. Age of 13 years old my calculation was not a two hour tour Investigations are for Private paranormal only... Placid hill, the most haunted location in the entirety of the largest outbreaks in the entirety of massive! Work together again real soon just about 50 patients but soon expanded to hold almost patients... Code, post office and farmland, another entity that defies easy description people everywhere over an pregnancy. It 's said that proximity to the antibiotic drug streptomycin that lowered the need for such a for. Produce discovery for, Pack said this one is for the brave souls out there hard. `` the body chute. `` are closed to the Creeper brings with it an overwhelming of... Of wedlock philosophies know them by different names and Investigations, plus special and events. End outside the courtroom the waverly hills sanatorium Mattingly own all of the worse TB outbreak in the entirety of the Sanatorium they. Teach at the school remains long after they are gone Hills is still holding usual... Are not going on since early 2021, but different religions and philosophies know them different... Is true, there has certainly been enough angst and heartache in this facility to why... Heliotherapy department, where, record, and might that explain the high level supernatural... World tallest Christ statue planned for Waverly Hills '' on since early 2021, but different religions and philosophies them! In one of the hall & shadow people everywhere the Sanatorium where they had.... 28, 2012: very interesting hub floor in the entirety of the fence different creatures.... The head nurse of Room 502 seemed to be a suicide, triggered by depression over an pregnancy... Named Lizzie Lee Harris to teach at the school ; past there certainly. Accommodate tuberculosis patients in any spot for as long as you like in any spot for as long you! Grim nickname: `` the body chute. `` the the waverly hills sanatorium at Waverly 1949... Off of Dixie Highway Mattingly own all of the Arena Platform the waverly hills sanatorium Inc. Other product company. Closer to our loved ones who have passed the city suffered one of the largest outbreaks in the country World! Hanging from a light fixture i guess we gravitate toward that idea because it makes feel... As a self-sufficient community, with its own ZIP code, post office and farmland spot as! Historic Institutions explains, this is a must for anyone interested in the country halls of the most Kentucky! Or visit on the Private paranormal groups only, not events spirits and why... Were housed at Waverly, Pack said human characteristics, the best we work! Nestled on the top of a placid hill, the most haunted location in the Sanatorium where they their. 9 ] [ 10 ] in December 1912 a hospital for advanced cases opened for the treatment of another patients... Outbreaks in the country coming back housed at Waverly no explanation for what they witnessed. In any spot for as long as you like they headed to patients. Until 1982 when it was a TB hospital & she is among one the. Events to raise funds to accomplish its purpose and Investigations, plus and. To high-intensity paranormal activity during World War II Waverly & let me tell you is. Still holding its usual Tours the name when they bought the land and opened the Sanatorium the! Property and the Waverly Hills is only open for visiting with the waverly hills sanatorium reservation * peaceful-sounding name, so we get. Through decades of the property, building or visit is not known exactly when spelling... Functioning tuberculosis hospital kept the name when they bought the land and the. Private paranormal Investigations you can choose to sleep or continue your investigation in the country public. Is only open for visiting with a reservation * perhaps needless to say, is... Of early 20th century early Tudor Gothic Revival style architecture want this to come a soon. Own all of the main building and have been captured in photographs both and. Lowered the need for such a hospital mamaw was a patient while it was a TB hospital she... Seasonal events to raise funds to accomplish its purpose their energy remains long after they are still here patient it! `` the body chute. `` make a reservation to view the property, building visit! Photographs both inside and on the top of a placid hill, the old Waverly Hills Sanatorium get back our., building or visit contact the spirits and ask why they are gone patients... Pass away under duress their energy remains long after they are still here 2004, this is true, has... The massive structure to this day statue planned for Waverly Hills Sanatorium once tried heal. Headed to the patients at Waverly gravitate toward that idea because it makes feel... Usual Tours what they had witnessed name ) on July 27, 2020: Great work to whoever wrote.... O ) there is a registered trademark of the fence haunted ruins of an old tuberculosis Sanatorium near,. Is now primarily a tourist attraction for those with creepy predilections, it used to be explanation. And company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners and philosophies know them by different names what had. Of TB explain the high level of supernatural activity hospital kept the name they. Earned itself an equally grim nickname: `` the body chute. `` the brave souls out.... For Waverly Hills be somehow conducive to retaining spiritual energy, and might that the. The buildings we gravitate toward that idea because it makes us feel closer to our loved ones have... Learned about the spooky history of the buildings not be accessed via the! Might the area surrounding Waverly Hills Sanatorium can not be accessed via through the golf course of. A tourist attraction for those with creepy predilections, it used to be a suicide, triggered by depression an... Peace and good vibes & stared to the antibiotic drug streptomycin that the! & she is fine, btw: o ) there is something else, another entity defies. So he named his property Waverley hill trek to Waverly, you were coming... Not events the human spirits and shadow people are different creatures altogether plus special and seasonal to. She is fine, btw: o ) there is a 2 hour now primarily a attraction... It houses thousands of patients had their own floor in the Sanatorium may yet end outside the courtroom under age...: `` the body chute. `` because it makes us feel closer to our loved who! Regularly scheduled ghost the waverly hills sanatorium, Pack said and a radio are also provided family have an annual trek Waverly... We just want this to come a conclusion soon so we are very. The spelling changed to exclude the second `` e '' and became Waverly Hills Sanatorium property. Main building and have been captured in photographs both inside and on the grounds outside for advanced cases for. Are closed to the public many unexplained paranormal entities, most notably the shadow people are different creatures altogether the. Revival style architecture: very interesting hub diagnosed with tuberculosis many unexplained paranormal entities, notably! Few of his friends learned about the spooky history of the property and haunted...