Most of us have been in a hospital at some point - for almost all of us, a hospital is the first place we ever entered, and for many, it'll be the last. They're places of healing and hope, but by their nature they're also places of sadness and loss. I think that's why abandoned hospitals may be the eeriest of all abandoned places - when they're no longer operating and are left to slowly fall apart, the sense of rebirth that comes from them is gone and all that's left is the loss. That's definitely the case for Mount St. Mary's Hospital in Niagara Falls, a stunning abandoned hospital in New York that had a long and storied history and some truly unique architecture - but since 2003, it's been vacant and is now a shadow of its former self. Let's take a look inside this eerie and fascinating location...

If you love creepy content, Only In Your State’s Vacant series – which partners with talented photographer Johnny Joo – explores a dozen other fascinating abandoned places just waiting to be discovered. 

Editor’s Note: Due to the nature of abandoned destinations, many of the places featured in this series are off-limits to visitors or have actually been demolished. We do not condone trespassing and other illegal activity but rather encourage readers to enjoy learning about these fascinating destinations.

The visage of Mount St. Mary's Hospital in Niagara Falls is one of the most impressive in the city - and it's not surprising that it was designated a historic landmark in 2015. But it's not a place of healing anymore, and its future is very uncertain.

Originally built in 1912 under the oversight of the famous architect William P. Ginther, this stunning Neoclassical Revival building was designed as one of the most state-of-the-art hospitals in the region. It operated as a hospital for several decades, providing an atmosphere for healing with plenty of natural light.

But as a new hospital in Lewiston opened in 1965, the hospital was converted into St. Mary's Manor after a massive renovation, becoming a 104-bed nursing home. It continued to serve this new purpose until 2003.

It's not hard to see why the hospital still looms large in people's minds - its roots as a religious institution led to some stunning construction details, like in this old church gathering hall.

Mount St. Mary's Hospital is a key part of Niagara Falls' history, playing a key role in medical advancements in the early 20th century, and debates continue over the proper way to honor its legacy.

Did you know about this abandoned hospital in New York? Its future is still uncertain, but given its historical status, there is no doubt many people will be interested. If you're interested in another abandoned building in the upstate NY area, check out our past coverage of the Bonnie Castle Greens, also part of the Vacant series. If you're looking for some more current things to do in the Niagara Falls area, check out the area's stunning state park or book a room at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Niagara Falls Fallsview for one of the best vistas in the state.

Special thanks to Cleveland-based photographer Johnny Joo of Odd World Studio for the photos used in this article. To discover more creepy and abandoned places, check out his website, Architectural Afterlife.