Waverly Hills Sanatorium

The Waverly Hills Sanatorium is located on Paralee Ln. off Dixie Highway in SW Louisville. It's a massive structure; opened its doors in 1926 to help people fight tuberculosis, closed in 1961 after a cure for the disease was found. From 1962 - 1982, it was a nursing home, Woodhaven Geriatric Center. Then it sat vacant, deteriorated, and became a mecca for vandals, idiots, and just curious teens. These are the facts. Now let's look at the legend of the sanatorium, which at this point, can't be separated from its reality: It's come to be known as one of the most haunted places in the country, if not the world. I'm not going to get into all of that because this blog's about architecture, not paranormal activity. However, I can say I've visited the old hospital twice - once by myself at night and once as part of a tour - and the place does indeed have a bad vibe. Is it legit? Who knows. But the current owners of the property are milking the bit for all its worth - tours, parties, TV specials, souvenirs, etc. - which I find distasteful and perhaps dangerous. Waverly was a place where tens of thousands fought to live; many of them did not. It seems to me that making the hospital into a haunted tourist attraction dishonors their memories and for those who believe in the supernatural, maybe provokes their spirits.

1926...

Today...