10 Staggering Photos Of An Abandoned Sanatorium Hiding In Virginia
By Beth|Published April 18, 2017
×
Beth
Author
A lifelong Virginia resident, Beth loves exploring different parts of the world and currently resides in Charlottesville. She holds a degree in English Literature and one of her short stories has been featured in the Shenandoah Review. Other interests include hiking, songwriting, and spending time in the mountains.
Tucked away in the small Southwestern Virginia town of Radford resides one of the most paranormal sites along the East Coast. St. Albans Sanatorium has been abandoned for years, although its haunted nature continues to attract both visitors and paranormal investigators. The staggering photographs below, while taken in recent years, suggest the fascinating and troubling past of the patients who stayed here in the early 20th century. Here’s a virtual tour of the historic St. Albans:
St. Albans Sanatorium is located at 6248 University Park Drive, Radford, VA 24141.
The picturesque brick building opened in 1892 under the name of St. Albans Lutheran Boys’ School. While the school was prestigious, it also had a reputation of bullying among students. The school eventually closed in 1911.
During this time, treatment of the mentally disabled was inhumane. According to these standards, St Albans was seen as superior, although some of these treatments were still questionable.
Some of the procedures that took place in this facility included Electroconvulsive Therapy, Insulin Coma Therapy, and Hydro Shock Therapy. Needless to say, many of these treatments resulted in a significant death rate among patients.
Despite such conditions, the facility succeeded in becoming a fully-recognized hospital in the 1960s. Thirty years later, the staff and services of St. Albans were all transferred to other locations.
A visit to St. Albans today is a trip into the site’s complicated past. The site is managed as a historical site, although the building has seen little change since its abandonment. This allows visitors a unique and unforgettable perspective.
Visitors are also allured by the site's paranormal reputation. A guided tour at night often reveals strange phenomena, such as rocking chairs suddenly moving, mysterious creaks, and even ghost sightings.
Photographed above is one of the most haunted and tragic rooms above. Known as the "Suicide Bathroom," this area had at least four documented suicides over the course of the hospital's history.
Another intriguing site is the basement, which houses the remnants of a bowling alley. Visitors often report seeing a strange mist in this dim basement, suggesting haunted activity.
Whether or not you are intrigued by the haunted nature of St. Albans, there’s no denying the historical significance of this abandoned building. For more information on this site, be sure to visit the official St. Albans website.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
