15 Abandoned Hospitals and Asylums That Tell Ghostly Stories

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Danvers State Hospital – Massachusetts

Danvers State Hospital, located in Danvers, Massachusetts, was once known for its harsh treatment of patients. Built in the mid-1800s, it became notorious for its use of lobotomies and other extreme procedures. The hospital closed in the late 20th century, and its abandoned structure has since become a popular site for urban explorers and ghost hunters alike. Paranormal reports from the site include shadowy figures, unexplained noises, and the sensation of being watched.

Many believe that the spirits of former patients still linger in the building’s decaying walls. The hospital’s legacy of mistreatment and its dark history add to the unsettling atmosphere of the site, making it a hub for ghostly encounters.

Central State Hospital – Georgia

Central State Hospital in Milledgeville, Georgia, operated for over 170 years before it closed its doors in the 1990s. The hospital housed thousands of patients, many of whom suffered from severe mental illnesses. Its abandoned buildings have been the subject of countless ghost stories, with numerous accounts of strange occurrences. People have reported hearing whispers, footsteps, and even voices calling out to them from the empty rooms.

Visitors to Central State Hospital often mention a strong sense of unease, particularly in the more neglected parts of the facility. Some believe the spirits of former patients who endured terrible treatments still haunt the grounds, adding to its reputation as one of the most ghostly hospitals in America.

Rolling Hills Asylum – New York

Rolling Hills Asylum, located in East Bethany, New York, has a long and haunted history. Originally built in 1827 as a poorhouse, it became an asylum in the late 19th century, housing mentally ill and elderly patients. The facility closed in 1974, but not before it gained a reputation for being plagued by paranormal activity. Visitors claim to have witnessed shadowy figures, heard unexplained voices, and felt cold spots throughout the building.

One of the most famous stories from Rolling Hills involves the ghost of a former patient who is said to roam the halls. The spirits of those who suffered within its walls are believed to still linger, making the asylum a favorite for ghost hunters seeking to experience its chilling history firsthand.

Pennhurst State School and Hospital – Pennsylvania

Located in Spring City, Pennsylvania, Pennhurst State School and Hospital was a facility designed for the mentally disabled, but it became infamous for its overcrowded conditions and harsh treatment of residents. The hospital closed in the 1980s after a series of reports exposing the abuse that took place within its walls. Today, it stands abandoned, and many visitors report strange occurrences. Some hear unexplained laughter, while others have seen figures moving through the long hallways.

The building’s dark history, combined with the trauma endured by its residents, makes it one of the most haunted locations in the United States. Many ghost hunters have claimed to capture eerie sounds and images on their equipment, adding to its ghostly reputation.

Waverly Hills Sanatorium – Kentucky

Waverly Hills Sanatorium in Louisville, Kentucky, is one of the most well-known abandoned hospitals in the country. Originally built in the early 20th century to treat tuberculosis patients, the hospital gained notoriety due to its high mortality rate during the tuberculosis epidemic. Many visitors claim to have experienced strange, unexplained phenomena, including hearing voices, footsteps, and even the sounds of people coughing. Some have reported seeing apparitions of former patients wandering the halls.

The sanatorium’s reputation for being haunted is fueled by its history of suffering and death. With numerous reports of ghost sightings and paranormal activity, Waverly Hills has become a hotspot for those looking to connect with the spirits of its past residents.

Letchworth Village – New York

Letchworth Village, located in Thiells, New York, was once an institution for people with developmental disabilities. The facility was abandoned after years of poor conditions and mistreatment of its residents. Today, it remains a decaying shell of its former self, and many who visit report eerie encounters. People have heard voices, seen shadowy figures, and experienced a chilling sense of unease throughout the grounds.

Many believe the spirits of former residents who suffered at the hands of neglect still haunt Letchworth Village. Its tragic past and the countless lives it impacted make it a chilling reminder of the darker side of mental health treatment in America.

The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum – West Virginia

The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, located in Weston, West Virginia, is one of the largest and most historic psychiatric hospitals in the United States. Opened in the mid-1800s, it was designed to house the growing number of patients with mental illnesses. The asylum became notorious for its overcrowded conditions and lack of proper care. It closed its doors in the 1990s, but reports of ghostly activity continue to surface. Visitors have reported hearing cries, seeing apparitions, and feeling cold spots throughout the building.

The haunting of Trans-Allegheny is linked to its troubled history, where patients often received little to no treatment. Today, it stands as a chilling reminder of the dark history of mental health care in the country, attracting paranormal investigators from around the world.

Hudson River State Hospital – New York

Hudson River State Hospital in Poughkeepsie, New York, was one of the earliest mental health facilities in the United States. It operated for over a century before being closed in the 1990s. During its operation, the hospital became infamous for its inhumane treatment of patients and its overcrowded conditions. The abandoned buildings are now a site for ghost hunters, with many reporting strange sights and sounds. Visitors claim to have seen shadowy figures and heard the sounds of footsteps following them through the halls.

The hospital’s dark history of neglect and mistreatment gives it a reputation for being haunted by the souls of its former patients. Those who venture into the crumbling ruins often leave with a sense of foreboding, making it one of the most chilling abandoned institutions in the state.

The Beechworth Lunatic Asylum – Australia

The Beechworth Lunatic Asylum, located in Victoria, Australia, was a psychiatric institution that operated from 1867 until its closure in 1995. The asylum’s history is filled with tales of mistreatment, overcrowding, and inhumane conditions, leading many to believe that its former patients still haunt the site. Visitors report hearing disembodied voices, witnessing ghostly apparitions, and experiencing an overwhelming sense of unease while exploring the abandoned buildings.

Many of the reported sightings are linked to former patients who were subjected to harsh treatments, including electroshock therapy and lobotomies. The asylum’s troubled past continues to attract ghost hunters and those interested in its eerie history.

Ashworth Hospital – West Yorkshire, England

Ashworth Hospital, located in Sefton, England, was originally built as a mental asylum in the 19th century. It housed patients with severe mental illnesses, and its dark history of overcrowding and mistreatment has contributed to its reputation as one of the most haunted locations in the UK. Many visitors to the hospital report feeling a sense of being watched, while others have heard disembodied voices and seen shadowy figures roaming the halls.

The hospital’s chilling past includes numerous accounts of patients being subjected to cruel treatments, and some believe their spirits still linger in the building. The eerie atmosphere and reported paranormal activity make Ashworth Hospital a fascinating, albeit unnerving, place for ghost hunters and those interested in the supernatural.

Philadelphia State Hospital – Pennsylvania

Philadelphia State Hospital formerly known as Byberry Mental Hospital, operated from the early 1900s until its closure in the 1990s. The hospital gained notoriety for its brutal treatment of patients, many of whom were subjected to neglect, overcrowding, and harsh conditions. Visitors to the abandoned site report seeing apparitions and hearing strange sounds echoing through the empty halls, particularly in the areas where patients were once confined.

Byberry’s troubled history of inhumane treatment has contributed to its haunted reputation. Many believe the souls of former patients still inhabit the facility, continuing to roam the grounds where they once endured untold suffering.

Toledo State Hospital – Ohio

The Toledo State Hospital in Ohio opened in the late 1800s as a psychiatric facility and remained operational until the 1970s. Over the years, the hospital became notorious for its overcrowding and the mistreatment of patients. Paranormal activity at the site is often attributed to the many patients who suffered from inhumane conditions. Visitors to the area have reported hearing voices, seeing figures in the windows, and experiencing a heavy, oppressive atmosphere.

Some people believe that the restless spirits of former patients still haunt the grounds, particularly in areas where severe treatments were once carried out. Toledo State Hospital’s grim history and ghostly sightings have made it a popular destination for paranormal enthusiasts seeking to experience its eerie presence.

Saint Elizabeths Hospital – Washington, D.C.

Saint Elizabeths Hospital, located in Washington, D.C., was founded in the 1850s and served as a mental health facility for over 150 years. The hospital became infamous for its poor conditions, overcrowding, and the brutal treatments administered to patients. Today, it stands abandoned, with many visitors reporting unsettling experiences, including eerie voices, moving shadows, and an overwhelming sense of fear.

The building’s connection to mental illness and the harsh treatments of the past has led some to believe that the spirits of former patients continue to haunt the hospital. Its reputation as one of the most haunted institutions in Washington, D.C., attracts those hoping to uncover its supernatural secrets.

Aradale Mental Asylum – Australia

Located in Victoria, Australia, Aradale Mental Asylum was one of the largest psychiatric hospitals in the country before it closed its doors in the 1990s. The hospital’s long history is filled with tales of neglect, overcrowding, and abuse, and many who visit the site report ghostly encounters. People have claimed to see apparitions in the hallways, hear unexplained footsteps, and even feel sudden drops in temperature.

The site’s dark history and the suffering endured by its patients have made it a hotspot for paranormal activity. Many believe that the spirits of those who were mistreated still wander the abandoned buildings, making Aradale a chilling place to explore.

Glenn Dale Hospital – Maryland

Glenn Dale Hospital, located in Glenn Dale, Maryland, was built in the 1930s as a tuberculosis sanitarium. It later became a psychiatric hospital before it was abandoned in the 1980s. The building has since been the subject of numerous ghost stories, with visitors reporting strange noises, apparitions, and an overwhelming sense of dread. Some have even claimed to see the ghosts of former patients wandering the hallways, seeking something that was never provided to them in life.

The hospital’s long history of suffering and neglect has contributed to its eerie reputation. Many believe the restless spirits of the former patients still linger, creating an atmosphere of unease for anyone brave enough to visit.

This article originally appeared on Avocadu.