America's 10 Scariest Abandoned Asylums & Hospitals

10. Waverly Hills Sanatorium, Louisville, Kentucky

The scariest thing about Waverly Hills was the disease it was built to tackle, Tuberculosis. That, and the fact it's current owners describe it as one of the most haunted places on Earth. Waverly Hills opened initially in 1910, eventually accommodating several thousand patients. Before effective treatment in Antibiotics was rolled out in the 1940s, it was nearly impossible to cure Tuberculosis. Before Antibiotics, several treatments were tried, from taking in air in open plan verandahs, to dramatic surgeries that included having a balloon inserted into the lungs and ribs and muscles being removed to allow the lungs to expand. Most patients died.

The Sanatorium was closed in 1962 as it was no longer required with Tuberculosis being less endemic. It was converted into a geriatric facility, which in turn closed in 1981. The buildings fell derelict, and was a haven for vandals, teenagers bent on busting some ghosts and homeless seeking shelter. Ghost stories abounded. The fifth floor is notable for it's tales. Room 502, where the head nurse hung herself in 1928, is rife with reports of paranormal activity, including disembodied voices telling people to get out and strange things being seen in the windows.

Other spooky happenings include the ghost of a man in a white coat being seen in the kitchen, ghostly children and doors opening by themselves. In 2001, Waverly Hills was bought by Tina and Charles Mattingly, who now run tours and ghost investigations on the site.