Whether you’ve seen it featured on SyFy’s Ghost Hunters or ABC Family’s Scariest Places on Earth, or have simply caught a glimpse of the out-of-place abandoned sanatorium while driving by, it’s safe to say there’s something very eerie about Waverly Hills. Paranormal researchers from all over the world have investigated the location and the verdict is unanimous: it’s haunted. And lucky for us, the Waverly Hills Sanatorium is open for nighttime tours on Derby weekend.
The vacant 105-year-old sanatorium sits on a hill overlooking quiet neighborhoods and the Bobby Nichols Golf Course in Pleasure Ridge Park near Dixie Highway. Not only is the huge five-story building a gold mine for history fanatics, it’s also a Mecca for paranormal investigators and has been considered by many to be one of the most haunted places in the world. With signs prohibiting trespassers posted all over the building’s gate entrance, it’s hard not to be at least a little curious about what lingers inside the paranormal venue.
Built in the first decade of the 20th century as a hospital for tuberculosis patients, the Waverly Hills facility was very profitable and highly respected during its 51 years of business. After a cure for Tuberculosis was found, the sanatorium closed in 1961. It reopened as an assisted living facility for the elderly known as Woodhaven Medical Services in 1962 and remained in business until 1981 when the building closed its doors for good.
The building remained abandoned and vacant until 2001 when current owners, Charles and Tina Mattingly purchased the property. In attempt to reserve the historical site and educate the community on Louisville’s history (and paranormal activity), the couple have been hosting tours of the building for the past several years.
Time is running out to schedule a special nighttime tour of Waverly Hills for Derby weekend! Available tour times are 8pm-10pm Friday, May 1st and Saturday, May 2nd and cost $22 per guest. And if you’re feeling really daring, extended tours are available on the same nights from 11:45pm-4am and cost $50 per guest. You can schedule your tour at their website!
And don’t worry if you chicken out this weekend, tours of the haunted site are available every week until August!
