1. Waverly Hills Sanatorium, Kentucky
Waverly Hills sits on a hill overlooking Louisville and has become one of the most infamous abandoned hospitals in the country. Built to treat tuberculosis patients, it expanded rapidly during the early twentieth century when outbreaks overwhelmed local facilities. Thousands of patients died there, often isolated from family and buried quickly. The hospital eventually closed in 1961 after antibiotic treatments made it obsolete. Locals began sharing stories almost immediately after it shut down. Many believe the building never fully emptied of its former residents.
Visitors and former staff have reported hearing footsteps, doors slamming, and voices echoing through empty halls. One of the most talked about areas is the body chute, once used to discreetly remove the dead. People claim cold spots appear suddenly, even in summer. Shadowy figures are often spotted in upper floors. Waverly Hills remains standing today and is a magnet for paranormal investigators. Its reputation has only grown as decades pass.
2. Trans Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, West Virginia
This massive Gothic Revival structure was designed to be a place of healing but quickly became overcrowded. Patients were housed in hallways, cages, and makeshift rooms as numbers surged. Conditions deteriorated, and stories of mistreatment spread through the community. The hospital closed in 1994, leaving behind furniture, medical tools, and personal belongings. Its sheer size makes it feel frozen in time. The building still looms over the town of Weston.
Those who enter describe the overwhelming sense of being watched. Former patient wards are said to echo with laughter, crying, and muffled conversations. Apparitions dressed in hospital clothing have been reported repeatedly. Paranormal teams claim equipment malfunctions in certain wings. Many locals avoid the property after dark. Despite its condition, the structure remains intact and untouched.
3. Beelitz Heilstätten, Germany
Beelitz Heilstätten was originally a tuberculosis sanatorium outside Berlin and later served wounded soldiers. During World War I and II, it treated thousands of injured troops. After the war, it fell into disuse and eventually closed in the 1990s. Nature began reclaiming the complex, with trees growing through roofs and walls. The buildings remain scattered across the grounds. The silence there feels deliberate and heavy.
Visitors report hearing boots marching and distant voices speaking German. Some claim to see figures in old military uniforms moving between buildings. Rooms are often described as feeling suddenly cold. Graffiti artists and explorers have added to the eerie atmosphere. Despite decay, the structures have never been fully demolished. The site continues to inspire unease.
4. Linda Vista Community Hospital, California
Once a busy Los Angeles hospital, Linda Vista closed its doors in 1991. It sat vacant for years, deteriorating slowly under the California sun. Locals shared rumors of deaths, abandoned patients, and ghostly nurses. The hospital became a popular filming location for horror movies and TV shows. Its empty corridors looked staged even without sets. The building stood untouched for decades.
People who entered illegally claimed to hear carts rolling on their own. Elevator buttons were said to light up with no power running. Security guards reported seeing figures on upper floors. The hospital developed a reputation that outpaced its real history. Even skeptics admitted the atmosphere felt unsettling. It was eventually renovated, but its haunted reputation never faded.
5. Pennhurst State School and Hospital, Pennsylvania
Pennhurst was built to house people with developmental disabilities but quickly became overcrowded and underfunded. Investigations in the 1960s revealed severe neglect and abuse. The facility closed in 1987, leaving behind miles of corridors and abandoned wards. Many former residents never received proper burials or records. The complex remained standing long after closure. Its past made it infamous nationwide.
Paranormal reports include screaming, banging, and childlike voices. Some visitors describe feeling sudden waves of sadness or panic. Apparitions are often reported near former dormitories. The hospital’s reputation is tied as much to its real history as to ghost stories. Many believe the emotional trauma never left the building. Pennhurst still stands as a reminder of that era.
6. Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital, New Jersey
Greystone was once one of the largest psychiatric hospitals in the world. At its peak, it housed thousands of patients in a massive Kirkbride-style building. Overcrowding and outdated practices plagued the facility for decades. It closed in 2008 after a long decline. The original structure stood abandoned for several years. Its looming presence dominated the surrounding area.
Former staff reported hearing alarms and intercom announcements after closure. Explorers claimed to see figures standing in windows. Cold drafts were common even on warm days. The size of the building made sounds echo unpredictably. Many believed the hospital never truly went quiet. It remained intact long enough to fuel countless stories.
7. Old Changi Hospital, Singapore
This hospital dates back to the British colonial era and later served Japanese forces during World War II. It treated soldiers and prisoners under brutal conditions. After the war, it continued as a medical facility until the 1990s. Once abandoned, it quickly became infamous among locals. The building remains largely untouched. Its history weighs heavily on its reputation.
Visitors report hearing crying and whispers late at night. Some claim to see figures dressed in old military uniforms. Strange shadows appear in photographs without explanation. Locals warn against visiting after sunset. The hospital’s past is closely tied to its haunting legends. It still stands as one of Singapore’s most feared locations.
8. Norwich State Hospital, Connecticut
Norwich State Hospital opened in the early twentieth century and closed in 1996. The campus consisted of dozens of buildings spread across wooded land. Patients were treated for mental illness under practices now considered outdated. After closure, many buildings sat abandoned for years. Nature slowly overtook the grounds. The site became a favorite for urban explorers.
Reports include voices calling out names and unexplained lights. Former patient wards are said to feel oppressive and heavy. Some visitors describe being touched when no one is nearby. Equipment left behind added to the unsettling atmosphere. The hospital remained standing long enough to develop a strong haunted reputation. Even after partial demolition, stories persist.
9. St. Albans Sanatorium, Virginia
St. Albans began as a boys’ school before becoming a psychiatric hospital. Over time, it gained a reputation for harsh treatments and poor conditions. It closed in the 1990s and sat vacant for years. The building overlooks the town of Radford. Its long corridors and stairwells amplify every sound. Locals shared ghost stories long before investigators arrived.
People report seeing children running through halls. Others claim to hear screaming from the old operating rooms. Objects are said to move on their own. The building’s layered history adds to its eerie feel. Many believe spirits from both eras remain. St. Albans still stands and draws curious visitors.
10. Byberry Mental Hospital, Pennsylvania
Byberry was once a progressive institution that fell into severe decline. Overcrowding and neglect led to shocking conditions. It closed in 1990 after public outcry. The abandoned buildings quickly became vandalized. Despite decay, the structure remained for years. Its reputation spread far beyond Philadelphia.
Visitors described hearing moans and metal clanging. Apparitions were often reported near former patient cells. The sense of despair was frequently mentioned. Many felt physically ill while inside. Byberry’s haunting was tied directly to its documented history. The hospital stood long enough to cement its legend.
11. Rockland Psychiatric Center, New York
Rockland Psychiatric Center operated for over a century before closing sections gradually. Entire buildings were left abandoned as others remained active nearby. The contrast added to the unsettling atmosphere. Former patient wards sat untouched for decades. Furniture and records were left behind. The complex felt forgotten.
Explorers reported hearing radios and voices. Some saw figures peering from doorways. Cold spots appeared in specific rooms repeatedly. The isolation of certain buildings made experiences more intense. Many believed spirits lingered where patients were forgotten. The abandoned sections still stand today.
12. Peoria State Hospital, Illinois
Peoria State Hospital was once one of the largest psychiatric institutions in Illinois. It housed thousands at its peak under harsh conditions. The hospital closed in 1973, leaving behind a sprawling campus. Many buildings remained unused for decades. The grounds became eerily quiet. Locals avoided the area after dark.
Reports include footsteps and slamming doors. Lights were said to flicker without power. Apparitions were spotted in upper floors. The emotional weight of the place was often mentioned. Its history fueled the haunting stories. Much of the structure remained standing long after closure.
13. Athens Lunatic Asylum, Ohio
This Victorian-era asylum opened in the late nineteenth century. It treated patients under strict and often cruel practices. The hospital closed in 1993. Many of its buildings remained intact. The surrounding woods added to its isolation. The site quickly gained a haunted reputation.
Visitors reported seeing a woman in old-fashioned clothing. Cold spots appeared in former patient rooms. Strange smells were noted without a source. One room became famous for unexplained markings. The asylum’s past is deeply tied to its legends. The buildings still stand today.
14. Kings Park Psychiatric Center, New York
Kings Park was once a self-sustaining psychiatric community. At its peak, it housed thousands of patients and staff. Overcrowding and outdated treatments plagued the facility. It closed in 1996, leaving massive buildings behind. The campus remained abandoned for years. Its scale made it feel like a ghost town.
Explorers reported hearing voices and alarms. Apparitions were seen in stairwells and hallways. Some described feeling followed. Equipment left behind added to the unsettling mood. Many believe the spirits of former patients remain. Kings Park’s buildings stood long enough to become legendary.