Waverly Hills Tuberculosis Hospital

The Waverly Hills Sanatorium at Waverly Hills south of Louisville, Kentucky was originally housed in a wood-framed two-story structure. Construction began in 1908 and was completed on July 26, 1910 (1), housing forty to fifty tuberculosis patients. By the early 1910s, however, tuberculosis was approaching 'epidemic proportions' and the need for a more permanent, larger structure was warranted; the original structure alone was housing over 140 patients and was severely over-crowded.

In March of 1924, construction of a new 400-patient sanatorium began. Featuring a large kitchen, dining hall, laboratory, recreational facilities and patient rooms, it was considered one of the most modern in its day when it opened on October 17, 1926 (1). It treated thousands of residents of the nearby cities for what was then a deadly disease, tuberculosis. When advances in modern medicine made the long and often deadly stays in the sanatoriums unnecessary, Waverly Hills closed its doors in 1961. For two years, the building was quarantined and renovated, however, it came at a price. Beautiful wood work and other architectural features were painted over or covered up completely, and other altercations damaged much of the interior. In 1963, the former sanitarium reopened as the Woodhaven Geriatrics Center, a rest home for the elderly. This operation lasted until 1980 when it started closing down in phases until 1981. The remaining patients were transferred to Hazelwood Center on Bluegrass Center.

On March 19, 1996, a non-profit ecumenical group planned to construct the world's tallest statue of Jesus Christ; it purchased the property that year (2). It was a collaboration of work between local sculpture Ed Hamilton, whose work included several prominent monuments, and local businessman Robert Alberhasky who founded 'Christ the Redeemer Foundation Incorporated' specifically for the project. A local architect, Jasper Ward, was also involved. The statue would sit atop the old sanatorium, and would be modeled after the Christ statue in Rio de Janeiro, which is 120 feet high (2). The complex would be converted into an 'arts and worship center' with a 270-foot high Christ sculpture towering over as a centerpiece. It would also include a theater, chapel, and gift shop. The statue itself would be only 150 feet tall, but would sit on top of a large metal globe attached to the four-story former hospital structure. The Christ statue would have its arms extended, stretching 150 feet from fingertip to fingertip. The cost for the first phase, including the statue, would cost $4 million. Phase two would include the chapel, theater, and gift shop and would cost between $8 and $10 million. Donations from churches and individuals nationwide were expected to flow in, along with the numerous fund-raisers that were expected. On December 12, 1997, however, the plans fell through because of funding issues. Donations totaled just under $3,000 in over a year (3).

For several years afterwards, the hospital deteriorated quickly (4). The owner attempted to have the former sanatorium declared condemned so that it cold be demolished, however, that request was denied. In a last ditch effort to see the place demolished, the owner attempted to undermine the structure on the southeast side by using a bulldozer to cause it collapse upon itself so that the owner could reap the insurance money. Thankfully, those efforts failed.

Haunted Bed and Breakfast

In 2001, Charles and Tina Mattingly purchased the 180,000 sq. ft. structure and the collection of smaller buildings that remained for a mere $250,000 (4). Renovations began soon after the purchase with the stabilization of the hospital's exterior. While it was in excellent shape considering the abuse it had suffered at the hands of other owners, it had no windows, it featured asbestos insulation and tiles and the grounds were littered in garbage. The roof was in poor condition and many metal features were a lost cause.

Today, Waverly Hills sports more than one-hundred new windows (4). Thousands of dollars in renovations have also secured a major roof repair, and the brick and stone exterior is being restored. In the spring of 2007, the roof will undergo complete restoration. The goal, according to the owners, is to create a haunted bed and breakfast, complete with a rooftop restaurant and other feature. The bed and breakfast would occupy the second and third floors in much of the former patient rooms, a rooftop restaurant would occupy much of the top and medical offices would take up most of the first floor. Renovations are expected to cost $45 million, although the Mattingly's are expecting volunteer work will offset some of the cost. To help offset the cost and continue general renovations, tours began to be offered after a sprinkler system was installed. So far, over $100,000 was raised from fees alone. Held nearly every weekend during the spring, summer and especially the fall, they offer a daytime tour that starts in the renovated Laundry room and concludes with a tour of the entire complex, including the famed 'Death Tunnel'. A night-time 'ghost hunting' tour is also given.

Links

1. Ron's Official Waverly Hills Site: More information than I could ever divulge, and information concerning restoration work. A truly beautiful site!
2. 'Waverly Ghost Chasers' forum for current hauntings and happenings
3. Waverly Hills Historical Society
4. Waverly Hills at Wikipedia
5. Death Tunnel Official Site: Information about the movie, including a large forum.
6. Waverly Hills Sanatorium at Yahoo Groups

Sources