Editing Waverly Hills Sanitarium
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| name = Waverly Hills Sanitarium | | name = Waverly Hills Sanitarium | ||
| image = Waverly1.jpg | | image = Waverly1.jpg | ||
− | | image_size = | + | | image_size = 275px |
| alt = | | alt = | ||
− | | caption = | + | | caption = Historical postcard image of the main hospital building. |
| established = 1910 | | established = 1910 | ||
| construction_began = 1924 | | construction_began = 1924 | ||
| construction_ended = | | construction_ended = | ||
| opened = 1926 | | opened = 1926 | ||
− | | closed = | + | | closed = 1962 |
| demolished = | | demolished = | ||
| current_status = [[Preserved Institution|Preserved]] | | current_status = [[Preserved Institution|Preserved]] | ||
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| architecture_style = | | architecture_style = | ||
| peak_patient_population = | | peak_patient_population = | ||
− | | alternate_names = | + | | alternate_names = |
− | + | Waverly Hill Sanitarium | |
− | + | Waverly Hills Sanitorium | |
+ | Woodhaven Geriatrics Sanitarium | ||
}} | }} | ||
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The building and land changed hands several times over the next 18 years. The second owner of the property wanted to tear all the buildings down to construct the world’s largest statue of Jesus Christ. He succeeded in demolishing all of the buildings except for the main hospital and was only stopped by an injunction because the building is on the National Historic Register’s “endangered” list. He then decided that if he couldn't’t legally tear it down then he would do everything in his power to get it condemned. He let vandals come into the building and tear it up. After breaking windows, porcelain sinks, toilets and doors, they began spraying graffiti on every available wall. The owner then dug around the foundation, in some places as deep as 30 feet, to try and make the foundation crack. If this happened, then he believed he could get the building condemned and would be able to legally tear it down. Fortunately, the structure refused to give way and his efforts failed. The area where his extensive digging took place can still currently be seen. | The building and land changed hands several times over the next 18 years. The second owner of the property wanted to tear all the buildings down to construct the world’s largest statue of Jesus Christ. He succeeded in demolishing all of the buildings except for the main hospital and was only stopped by an injunction because the building is on the National Historic Register’s “endangered” list. He then decided that if he couldn't’t legally tear it down then he would do everything in his power to get it condemned. He let vandals come into the building and tear it up. After breaking windows, porcelain sinks, toilets and doors, they began spraying graffiti on every available wall. The owner then dug around the foundation, in some places as deep as 30 feet, to try and make the foundation crack. If this happened, then he believed he could get the building condemned and would be able to legally tear it down. Fortunately, the structure refused to give way and his efforts failed. The area where his extensive digging took place can still currently be seen. | ||
+ | |||
+ | [[image:Wav Ext1.jpg|thumb|250px|right|A current photo of the hospital's rear.]] | ||
+ | |||
+ | By 2001, this once regal and majestic hospital had been ravaged by time, the elements and vandals and was a shell of its former self. Waverly Hills had now become every town’s “haunted house”. Homeless people took to living here and kids broke in for the rush of finding a “ghost” or just to get high and destroy things. It started to get the reputation of being haunted and rumors had it that satanic rituals were taking place within its walls. There were tales of a little girl running up and down the third floor solarium playing hide and seek with trespassers, of a little boy playing with his leather ball, of rooms lighting up as if there was still power to the building, doors slamming, disembodied voices, a hearse driving up and dropping off coffins and an old woman running from the front door with her wrists bleeding screaming “help me, somebody save me!” The years went by and the owner decided to sell the property to the new owners, who took possession in 2001. | ||
In 2001 Waverly Hills was sold to current owners Tina and Charlie Mattingly. Charlie's father, who died in 2005, worked as an orderly at Waverly Hills for approximately four years. The Mattinglys currently hold tours of Waverly Hills and convert the building into a haunted house attraction each Halloween. There are also historical tours, ghost tours, as well as overnight investigations available for a fee. Proceeds go toward saving the building and the restoration of the property. | In 2001 Waverly Hills was sold to current owners Tina and Charlie Mattingly. Charlie's father, who died in 2005, worked as an orderly at Waverly Hills for approximately four years. The Mattinglys currently hold tours of Waverly Hills and convert the building into a haunted house attraction each Halloween. There are also historical tours, ghost tours, as well as overnight investigations available for a fee. Proceeds go toward saving the building and the restoration of the property. |