Is the Iconic Waverly Hills Sanatorium Turning Into a Hotel? An In-Depth Look

The imposing abandoned structure of Waverly Hills Sanatorium has loomed over Louisville, Kentucky for nearly 100 years. Its striking brick and concrete façade paired with rumors of hauntings have fueled an ongoing fascination with this former tuberculosis hospital. But will it ever open as a hotel? As a home improvement enthusiast, I decided to take an in-depth look at the past, present and future of this American landmark to find out.

History of the Largest TB Sanatorium in the U.S.

Let’s start from the beginning. Waverly Hills Sanatorium first opened its doors in 1926 when tuberculosis was reaching epidemic levels across the U.S. At the time, TB was the leading cause of death and there was an urgent need for specialized treatment facilities.

• Waverly Hills was built to be the largest, most state-of-the-art TB sanatorium in the country.

• The massive facility was designed to house at least 400 patients but expanded over the years to accommodate over 600.

• At its peak in the 1940s and 50s, Waverly Hills saw more than 10,000 new patients annually.

• The grounds spanned 162 acres and the main hospital building covered over half a million square feet.

• A private rail line transported supplies and ambulances brought new patients every day.

As an isolation hospital, Waverly Hills was like a large self-contained city. In addition to the main building, it had its own church, post office, water treatment plant, graveyard, and more. Patients even grew their own food onsite.

While some recovered, many did not. Over 50,000 people died at Waverly Hills during its decades of operation. But with introduction of antibiotic TB treatments in the 1950s, the need for such a huge sanatorium rapidly declined. Waverly Hills closed in 1961 after more than 40 years in operation.

The Building’s Enduring Haunted Legacy

With so much suffering and death occurring behind its walls, it’s no wonder Waverly Hills gained a reputation as an intensely haunted location.

• Strange phenomena have been reported since it closed, from shadowy figures to phantom footsteps, voices, and unexplained cold spots.

• One of the most infamous areas is the “death chute” or “body chute” that transported the dead down to waiting hearses.

• The 4th floor is said to be especially active. Carts roll by themselves and shower stations turn on randomly.

• But the most notorious hot spot is Room 502 where a nurse named Mary Hillenburg allegedly hanged herself in 1928 after becoming pregnant out of wedlock. Her pained spirit still wanders the halls and screams are often heard coming from within the room itself.

For decades, thrill-seekers have flocked to Waverly Hills hoping for a paranormal encounter. As an urban explorer myself, I can certainly understand the temptation! The building’s haunted mystique only adds to its appeal.

Purchase and Restoration by the Waverly Hills Historical Society

After sitting vacant for over 30 years, Waverly Hills was purchased in 2001 by the Waverly Hills Historical Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to saving the historic building.

• The original purchase price was $220,000 and the Society relies heavily on donations and fundraising events to support their ongoing restoration work. Major roof repairs alone cost around $100,000.

• Areas like the iconic front entrance staircase and nurses’ station have been partially restored to their original state. The chapel and auditorium have also been re-opened.

• Installing modern necessities like electricity and fire suppression systems in a 1920s-era building has presented numerous challenges and expenses for the Society.

• Their ultimate vision is to fully restore the site into a historic hotel, conference center and arts facility focused on health education and history. But fully realizing this plan will likely take decades and many millions more in funding.

As a contractor, I can certainly appreciate all the complex hurdles involved in rehabbing and repurposing an enormous, aging structure like Waverly Hills. The Society has taken on a huge project, but their efforts over the past 20 years have started to breathe new life into this American landmark.

Current Usage as a Tourist Attraction and Event Venue

Since Waverly Hills does not currently offer any hotel rooms or overnight stays, the Historical Society mainly utilizes the property as a historical tourist attraction and event venue to generate revenue for continued restoration work.

Some of the ways the site is used include:

• Guided Historical Tours – Several tour options are available, from 2-hour historic tours of the grounds and main building to more immersive 5+ hour paranormal investigations at night.
• Self-Guided Exploration – Brave visitors can also purchase access to freely explore certain approved areas of the building on their own using only a map and flashlight.
• Private Event Rentals – The auditorium, chapel and rooftop have been popular spots for events like weddings, corporate retreats, concerts, Halloween parties and more.
• Monthly Open Houses – On one weekend per month, Waverly Hills opens for extended public access to the 1st and 2nd floors.
• Annual Thunder Run Event – Each March, tours are paired with a 5K run that takes participants through the winding tunnel system beneath the facility.

Waverly Hills attracts visitors from around the world who come for a uniquely eerie and historical experience. Ghost hunting TV shows have filmed on location here frequently. While not a hotel, it does provide a one-of-a-kind glimpse into Kentucky’s past.

What Does the Future Hold for this Historical Site?

So will Waverly Hills ever become a hotel? The possibility still exists, but converting a building of this size and age into modern accommodations remains an enormous undertaking. As a contractor, here are some of my thoughts:

• Funding is the biggest obstacle. The scope of work required would likely cost upwards of $100 million or more. Securing investments of this magnitude takes time.
• Extensive structural stabilization and utilities upgrades would need to happen before any guest rooms could be built out.
• ADA compliance to improve accessibility would also be a major priority.
• Preserving original architectural details while integrating modern amenities presents an interesting challenge!

Realistically, a full hotel conversion could be 10-20 years away depending on future funding. But the Waverly Hills Historical Society has demonstrated their dedication to restoring and maintaining this historic American landmark.

For now, the best way to experience Waverly Hills is through one of their tours or events. Visitors can take in the imposing historic architecture while learning about early 20th century medicine and the building’s storied past. Just don’t be surprised if you encounter a ghost or two along the way!