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The Haunted Librarian

~ Researching, investigating, and writing about the paranormal.

The Haunted Librarian

Category Archives: Hospitals

Abandoned Hayswood Hospital Escapes Demolition (Maybe?)

17 Tuesday Mar 2020

Posted by The Haunted Librarian in Abandoned America, Ghost Hunting, Hospitals, Real Estate

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Tags

Abandoned in Kentucky, Hayswood Female Seminary, May V. Peale Wilson, Maysville, Rev. John S. Hays

Hayswood Hospital, then and now.

The flimsy “Dogman” attack at the abandoned Hayswood Hospital is making the Internet rounds. Skip the story. Instead, read about how a widow generously purchased and gifted the small town a hospital. The hospital’s history is more exciting.

With a population under 9,000 residents, Maysville is an example of quintessential small-town Americana. Maysville, Kentucky sits on the southern side of the Ohio River. The median income is $29,274 with a 22% poverty rate. On 4th Street overlooking the downtown, sits the abandoned Hayswood Hospital.

The main wooden building was built around 1842 by Dr. Joseph Taylor. By 1886, newspaper articles began soliciting female students for the private Hayswood Female Seminary, founded by Rev. John S. Hays, D.D. The school offered education in the arts, as well as, traditional subjects. Rev. Hays died in 1899 at the age of 67. However, the school continued in operation until 1907.

On August 8, 1907, “Hayswood” as it was informally known was auctioned for $6,200 and sold to widow Mrs. May V. Peale Wilson, who promptly deeded the property to a trust in order to open a town hospital. On December 2, 1907, the Hayswood Hospital informally opened. It was dubbed the “palace on the hill.”

By 1907, May Wilson was a widow who had the means to purchase property. Wilson did reside at the hospital. She advertised for a “white woman” to serve as a companion and cook. The “May Wilson” Hospital League was a women’s volunteer group. Mrs. Wilson died in 1909. She did not have any surviving children and bequeathed her fortune to various individuals and organizations. The hospital received an annual payment from the trust. In 1909, the hospital was re-dedicated as the Wilson Hospital. An oil painting was commissioned to hang within the hospital.

The trust ran the hospital from 1907-1915. The city took control of the hospital and saw it through an extensive renovation in 1925. Samuel Hannaford designed a brick building and added a 4th story due to anticipated volume. In 1981, the hospital was sold to the Nashville company Hospital Corporation of America, which ran it as the Maysville Hospital until February 9, 1983.

The hospital, abandoned and decaying, changed hands several times. First in 1994 for $42,000 to Ester Johnson of Classic Properties. Ms. Johnson sought to renovate the building and turn it into high-end apartments. The development never took off. Johnson lost the property to unpaid taxes in a tax sale.

Tax Ease Lien Servicing paid roughly $6,000 for the property in 2013. Still, the hospital sat abandoned but became a regular location for thrill seekers and paranormal enthusiasts. And, yes, all of them were trespassing with lots of them receiving citations.

Hope gripped the town in 2018 when Stitch Up Properties, LLC snatched the property for $50,000. However, it may be dashed as the local newspaper has not been able to contact anyone at the company to enquire about prospective development.

In the end, most people want to know if the hospital is haunted. It’s unstable and dangerous to explore. In addition to the falling debris, the hospital has a lot of asbestos, which hindered earlier developments since the cost to remove ran about $2 million dollars.

I’ve seen several blogs discussing these supposed haunting. However, they fall flat and lose credibility because the writers have their facts wrong. If someone can’t even research the location, then how can we believe he researched any hauntings?

Old South Pittsburg Hospital Shut Down

06 Friday Apr 2018

Posted by The Haunted Librarian in Abandoned America, Famous Locations, Hospitals, Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

alpha concepts llc, black mold, diane hayes, gary stephen hayes, gene vess, klinge brothers, osph closed, osph ghost hunts llc, unpaid taxes

api-osph

Old South Pittsburg Hospital Shut Down

Old South Pittsburg Hospital (OSPH) has been shut down by the City of South Pittsburg, Tennessee. The shuttered hospital is a favorite location for paranormal enthusiasts as it provides unlimited access to three levels, sits in a quiet residential neighborhood, and is easily accessible off the interstate. OSPH will remain closed for an indefinite time.

The hospital was operational from 1959-1998 until a modern hospital was built in the next town. Physician Gary Stephen Hayes and Diane D. Hayes purchased the abandoned facility in March 2000 for $202,500. At some point, the property was re-deeded in the name of Alpha Concepts, LLC, an administratively dissolved company. State records indicate the LLC was administratively dissolved in 2007. [Dissolution is not fatal for a company. It means that a company has not remained current in paying state fees; however, a company can pay late fees and become current in most states.] Early reports stated that the property was deeded to OSPH Ghost Hunts, LLC, another administratively dissolved company (2016); however, I could not confirm. Either way, the address for Alpha Concepts leads back to Dr. Hayes. It’s his Alfa Romeo tucked in one of the hallways.

An anonymous caller contacted the city complaining about black mold and possible unsafe conditions. City Administrator Gene Vess told media outlets that black mold was found, causing an environmental hazard. Coupled with the zoning violations and the lack of proper city and state business licenses, the owners face a large hurdle to clear before events may resume; however, unsuspecting travelers may not know.

According to the OSPH website, the hospital is open for business. Nothing on the site indicates problems. Their Facebook page is more candid, although overly optimistic about how long the renovations will take, let alone the cost. A quick online calculator shows that the clean-up on the black mold will run from $30,000-54,000. Ouch. The price increases if other environmental hazards, like asbestos, are discovered. Word of caution: I’m concerned with the language used on the FB page stating that their employees are removing the black mold. At no time should inexperienced employees, family, or volunteers attempt to remove black mold. Black mold is dangerous.

FB post2

Additional events are actively promoted tonight. The ticketing site appeared to let me purchase a $139 ticket to investigate with the Klinge Brothers. At no time did the site alert me to the closure. Troubling.

Reservations

The March 2018 closure was not the first problem OSPH has experienced. The federal government filed a lawsuit on the 1100 Holly Avenue property last September (2017). The suit alleges that the Hayes failed to pay $506,036 in unpaid taxes, plus an additional $46,679 in employment taxes from another location. To date, the suit has not been settled or come before the Court.

This week’s news of the facility being closed indefinitely highlights the problems with abandoned properties. When I investigated OSPH, I was not informed that black mold was present. I was warned not to step on the tiles in the basement chapel as they would release asbestos but nothing on black mold. [I was extremely careful in the chapel—just saying.] What happens when property owners fail to inspect the grounds for environmental hazards? Or after inspecting the property, they decide to withhold information? Deeply troubling. I will be following up over the summer with answers and comments. Stay tuned.

Why Hospitals Are Haunted

28 Wednesday Mar 2018

Posted by The Haunted Librarian in Abandoned America, Famous Locations, Hospitals, Road Trip, Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

hawkinsville state hospital, old hawkinsville state hospital, taunton state hospital, trans-allegheny lunatic asylum

Hawkinsville State Hospital

Hawkinsville State Hospital, Georgia Archives.

Why Hospitals Are Haunted

Ghosts haunt hospitals. Paranormal teams can investigate a lot of shuttered hospitals; however, very few have access to those that are open. Unlike cemeteries where the dead don’t have a strong connection, hospitals across the nation are the perfect locations for residual hauntings.

Prior to 1885, sick people were cared for at home by their family. According to Wendy Cage, author of Paging God: Religion in the Halls of Medicine, early American hospitals “provided lodging for the homeless, the poor, and travelers.” While some cities operated hospitals, a large number were established by religious organizations, specifically Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish organizations. Volunteer chaplains in many of these hospitals visited nearly every patient who died while admitted. Religious beliefs, prayer, and spirituality played a large role in the hospital ministry, even in an unofficial capacity. God and the afterlife may have been contemplated.

The pre-1920 hospital was where people went to die, not heal. These facilities were the place of last resort; staff were compassionate and helped ease death. For some, it was the last positive human experience; therefore, it would make sense that some dead would remain.

Modern US hospitals emerged after the Civil War. By 1920, people went to the hospital to be cured—not die. However, those who died in these hospitals may still have had a connection to the better service they received and may linger long after death.

TauntonTaunton State Hospital, Taunton, Mass.

Not all spirits who haunt hospitals are malevolent. In fact, there are numerous stories of helpful spirits or friendly spirits in closed hospitals. Nurses are commonly identified as haunting hospitals. Patients, too, linger. Few spirits are truly evil. Of these evil spirits, many may have not died at the hospital but are drawn there. However, abandoned asylums may be a different story.

Most of the facilities featured on Top Haunted Hospital lists were actually asylums. Further, a lot of these asylums and sanatoriums were horrible places. Cruelty prevailed. Understandably, these locations have a lot of negative energy and evil spirits attached. These abandoned facilities are dangerous. Anyone contemplating investigating an asylum or sanatorium should protect herself in body and mind. Say your prayers. Call on your spirit guides for protection. And when leaving, make sure that nothing or no one follows you home.

Trans-AllaghenyTrans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, West Virginia

If you find yourself in a hospital, look for these identify factors to see if the hospital is haunted:

  1. Scrutinize clothing. Look to see if the clothing is of a different time period.
  2. Check to see if you’re hallucinating. Were you dreaming?
  3. Look at people to see if they appear whole. Spirits will be missing a limb or some other important feature.
  4. Notice changes in smells.
  5. Watch for changes in electricity.
  6. Pay attention to sounds.
  7. Summon the courage to ask the nurses if the hospital keeps a “Ghost Report.” The GR is a listing of ghost sightings and strange phenomena. Not all hospitals keep a log, but you may get lucky.

Crisis and death happen at hospitals. Staff are employed over long periods of time and are attached to hospitals. Paranormal teams should head out to rural hospitals that have been closed and abandoned to investigate. These facilities present an opportunity to test new equipment, practice techniques, and discover new stories. Hit me up; I may tag along!

GAStateLunaticAsylum

Old South Pittsburg Hospital Offering Daytime Ghost Hunts

23 Friday Feb 2018

Posted by The Haunted Librarian in Famous Locations, Ghost Hunting, Haunted Houses, Hauntings, Historic Places, Hospitals, Uncategorized

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Tags

daytime ghost hunts, osph

Logo

Old South Pittsburg Hospital Offering Daytime Ghost Hunts

Beginning on February 12, 2018, the people who run Old South Pittsburg Hospital (OSPH) will begin holding daytime ghost hunts. The price is $25 per person. Contact Stacey at 423.362.0089 to book your tickets.

The Old South Pittsburg Hospital opened in 1959. The 107-bed hospital is comprised of 68,000 square feet. The facility closed in 1980. Paranormal investigation teams are welcomed at the abandoned hospital. Archer Paranormal Investigations participated in a weekend hunt a few years ago. We captured great evidence from the Chapel and the third floor.

api-osph

The hospital in a short drive from Chattanooga. Check out their website for additional information: http://osphghosthunts.com/.

Ghost Cop: Investigating with Stacey Jones

19 Sunday Apr 2015

Posted by The Haunted Librarian in API Gals, Ghost Hunting, Ghost Tours, Hospitals, Investigations, Paranormal, Paranormal Groups

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Tags

API Gals, archer paranormal investigations, ghost cop, hawkinsville state hospital, investigate with the API Gals, stacey jones, taylor memorial hospital

Stacey Jones, Ghost Cop

Stacey Jones, Ghost Cop

Ghost Cop: Investigating with Stacey Jones

People have been investigating paranormal activity for hundreds of years. Yes. Hundreds of years. Don’t let the expansion of cable networks and the influx of paranormal reality TV shows fool you. Likewise, there are people who have spent decades investigating. Further, some of these people like to share their tips, techniques, and antidotes with others. One such person is Stacey Jones, the nation’s leading paranormal investigator.

Stacey started investigating in 1984 while a police officer in New York. She founded the Central New York Ghost Hunters (CNYGH) and was lovingly christened the “Ghost Cop.” She has investigated over 1,000 haunted locations, has been featured on two A Haunting episodes, and has appeared on various paranormal reality TV shows. Her tale is cautionary; her teenage son attracted a nasty spirit on a seemingly benign cemetery investigation. It took 12 months to exorcize the demon from him. Her other stories are just as riveting.

She has since retired from the police force and team investigating. Instead, Stacey frequently shows up at public investigations and dives right in. She joined the Archer Paranormal Investigations team (API Gals) and some of our friends on our investigation at the Old Hawkinsville State Hospital, also known as Taylor Memorial Hospital. And we were thrilled to the point of giddy to share the evening with her.

Stacey brings over 30 years of experience and common sense to an investigation. She is a life-long researcher and reader of the paranormal, religion, and history. She knows a lot. I mean a lot. She is highly likeable and engaging. She treats everyone, living and dead, with the utmost of respect. She does not confront or threaten or yell. The only obscenities are aimed toward herself. While dumping some of her equipment into her folding chair, Stacey deftly balanced the chair with her coffee while proclaiming herself, “the laziest bitch investigator today.” Not quite! She is hardworking—listening, analyzing, and contemplating where the activity may originate from.

Some of our friends were investigating for the first time. Stacey patiently displayed her equipment, encouraging them to try them out. She provided tips and techniques. She took the group under her wing and started searching for evidence. On short breaks she entertained us with battle stories and commentary. She doesn’t namedrop. Nor is she boastful. Deep in her heart, Stacey is a teacher. She relishes explaining the how-tos and whys. I learned quite a bit!

Whenever possible, investigate with an authority. Paranormal “celebrities” have packed tour schedules. Check online for upcoming investigations. You will learn new investigation techniques. Stacey likes to holler, “Hello. I can’t see you.” Love that! What a great way to engage with a spirit? It’s non-threatening and allows them to come forward—if they so choose.

Stacey Jones and John Zaffis

Stacey Jones and John Zaffis

You will glean information. They bring different equipment, and you may get to test them out. We tested out the Bionic Ear. 2L Lisa immediately purchased the following morning.

They also reinforce techniques you may already utilize. For instance, Stacey doesn’t confront, she remains respectful, she thanks them, and she prays before and after an investigation. These are all things that the API Gals do. Guessing I’m going to be getting another folding chair to traipse across abandoned buildings and cemeteries so I can be like Stacey.

For more information on Stacey, please view her Website http://ghostcop.org/. I look forward to investigating again with Stacey. It was a wonderful experience. Even the torrential downpour couldn’t dampen our excitement. Just like 2L, I love me some Stacey Jones!

Finally–Hawkinsville State Hospital

16 Thursday Apr 2015

Posted by The Haunted Librarian in API Gals, Hospitals, Investigations, Paranormal Groups, Paranormal History

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

API, API Gals, archer paranormal investigations, ghost stalkers, hawkinsville state hospital, old hawkinsville state hospital, seekers of spirits ghost hunters, taylor memorial hospital

Hawkinsville State Hospital

Hawkinsville State Hospital, Georgia Archives.

Finally—Hawkinsville State Hospital

Tomorrow Archer Paranormal Investigations, API, travels to Hawkinsville, Georgia to investigate the Old Hawkinsville State Hospital, also known as Taylor Memorial Hospital (http://www.theoldhawkinsvillehospital.com/). This marks my first public investigation, where people have paid to participate in an investigation. In addition to the API Gals, we will be investigating with some of our former clients and friends. I am beyond excited!

I first learned of the OHSH from an episode of Ghost Stalkers (2014), Season 1, Episode 3, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4193834/?ref_=ttep_ep3. John Tenney and Chad Lindberg collected some extremely compelling evidence. Therefore, my expectations are high. Actually, the mere opportunity for investigating in an incredibly old and defunct hospital meets that high expectation. I’m not sure what I will do if we collect any evidence. A few choice phrases come to mind, but, hey, this is a PG-13 blog.

Seekers of Spirits (SOS) Ghost Hunters, http://www.sosghosthunters.com/, have exclusive permission from the owners to conduct tours and hold investigations. This paranormal group is working to preserve the hospital, as well as, the incredible and sometimes tragic history of the hospital. I respect this group and look forward to meeting them. In addition, I applaud their strict enforcement against Ouija Boards, séances, and rituals. Personally, I am against the use of such items. Moreover, I find that most people who use these items often abuse them.

I am off to pack, charge batteries, and collect items that I usually don’t bring on investigations (i.e., lawn chairs, surplus extension cords, and snacks).

Look for an update next week. I will be posting pictures and more.

Hawkinsville State Hospital Sells Out–Again

06 Monday Apr 2015

Posted by The Haunted Librarian in API Gals, Famous Locations, Ghost Hunting, Historic Places, Hospitals, In the News, Investigations, Paranormal, True Ghost Stories

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archer paranormal investigations, hawkinsville state hospital, investigate with the API Gals

Hawkinsville Investigation is SOLD OUT--Again.

Hawkinsville Investigation is SOLD OUT–Again.

The spots filled quickly. Then 3 spots opened. But they were scooped up. Twelve days and counting!

3 Spots Left for Hawkinsville State Hospital Investigation

05 Thursday Mar 2015

Posted by The Haunted Librarian in Ghost Hunting, Ghost Tours, Hospitals, Investigations

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

API Gals, archer paranormal investigations, Ghost Hunting, hawkinsville state hospital, investigation

3 spots left for Hawkinsville State Hospital Investigation

3 spots left for Hawkinsville State Hospital Investigation

Hurry! Only 3 spots left for our investigation at Hawkinsville State Hospital, Friday, April 17th, 2015. Join the API Gals as we investigate the same abandoned hospital featured on Ghost Stalkers. Space is limited to 10 spots to reduce contamination. Learn from the pros.

Hawkinsville State Hospital Public Investigation

28 Saturday Feb 2015

Posted by The Haunted Librarian in Ghost Hunting, Historic Places, Hospitals, Investigations

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API Gals, archer paranormal investigations, ghost stalkers, hawkinsville state hospital, public investigation

Hawkinsville State Hospital

Hawkinsville State Hospital, Georgia Archives.

The API Gals, from Archer Paranormal Investigations, are conducting a public investigation at the Hawkinsville State Hospital, Hawkinsville, Georgia on Friday, April 17th, 2015. The event is limited to 10 people. Cost is $40.

The closed facility was featured on Destination America’s Ghost Stalkers. Join the API Gals as we discuss how to properly conduct an investigation, equipment, and all things paranormal. Hurry. Spaces are going fast!

For Sale (Actually Lease): Poveglia Island—Ghosts Included

19 Saturday Apr 2014

Posted by The Haunted Librarian in Diseases, Famous Locations, Ghost Hunting, Haunted Houses, Hospitals, Real Estate

≈ Comments Off on For Sale (Actually Lease): Poveglia Island—Ghosts Included

Tags

haunted houses for sale, italy's haunted island, mental hospitals, plague, poveglia

Haunted Poveglia Island Up for Auction

Haunted Poveglia Island Up for Auction

 

For Sale (Actually Lease): Poveglia Island—Ghosts Included

Seventeen prime acres of island property are up for sale in Italy—complete with ghostly hauntings. Poveglia is Italy’s most haunted island, and if you have millions of dollars sitting idly by you can be its new owner.

The island is public property owned by the Italian government. The sale is an effort to reduce the country’s public debt. In the 18th century deceased plague victims were dumped on the grounds. In 1922, a doctor conducted lobotomies on mental patients using crude tools. The mental hospital closed in 1968 amid rampant rumors of abuse. The island is reportedly haunted by tens of thousands of distressed spirits. The most notable ghost is that of plague victim Little Maria. Although the island’s access is restricted, paranormal investigators have conducted investigations on the island.

Several buildings remain on the main island including a hospital, church, bell tower turned lighthouse, prison, and administration buildings. A canal divides the main smaller island with a larger, mostly undeveloped island. The third island has some remains of a fort. Plague pits are scattered there as well. An estimated 10,000 people died on the island throughout its illustrious history. That alone should caution any potential buyer.

Italy isn’t really selling the island. Instead, it is offering a 99-year lease of the property with a starting bid of 350,000 euros (approximately $490,000 US). Not a wise investment decision!

However, it begs the question as to whether anyone would purchase the island. Personally, I would not. This location is steeped in possible paranormal drama. It’s a literal quagmire. There is simply too much going on. Although I would purchase an historic property, even with the possibility of hauntings, this island is out of the question. Some places are not meant to be owned but to be admired. From far, far away. But, if anyone asks me to investigate, I am all in!

Povelgia--Interior

Povelgia–Interior

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