Florida is known for its sunny beaches, theme parks, and natural beauty. But it also has a dark side, with many haunted and abandoned places that attract thrill-seekers and ghost hunters. One of these places is the Old Orange Memorial Hospital in Orlando, which has been dubbed as one of the creepiest places in the state.
The History of the Hospital
The Old Orange Memorial Hospital was built in 1925 as a two-story building with 50 beds. It was the first hospital in Orlando and served the community for over 60 years. The hospital expanded over the years, adding more wings, floors, and facilities. It was renamed as the Orlando Regional Medical Center in 1977 and moved to a new location in 1991.
The old building was left vacant and deteriorating, becoming a target for vandalism, graffiti, and arson. It was also rumored to be haunted by the spirits of former patients and staff who died there. Some of the reported paranormal activity includes:
- Hearing footsteps, voices, screams, and moans in the empty corridors and rooms.
- Seeing apparitions, shadows, and orbs in the windows and mirrors.
- Feeling cold spots, touches, and pushes by unseen forces.
- Experiencing nausea, headaches, and dizziness when entering certain areas of the hospital.
- Finding bloodstains, syringes, and medical equipment scattered around the hospital.
- Witnessing doors, windows, and lights opening and closing by themselves.
The Investigation of the Hospital
Many paranormal investigators and curious visitors have explored the hospital over the years, hoping to capture evidence of the supernatural. Some of the most notable investigations include:
In 2006, a group of teenagers broke into the hospital and filmed their experience. They claimed to have encountered a ghostly nurse, a demonic entity, and a possessed doll. They also found a pentagram and candles in one of the rooms, suggesting that the hospital was used for satanic rituals. The video was uploaded to YouTube and went viral, attracting more attention to the hospital.
In 2010, a team of paranormal experts from the Florida Ghost Team conducted a thorough investigation of the hospital. They used various equipment, such as EMF meters, digital recorders, and infrared cameras, to document their findings. They reported hearing voices, seeing shadows, and feeling cold spots throughout the hospital. They also captured several EVPs (electronic voice phenomena) and photos of anomalies.
In 2013, a group of filmmakers from the Orlando Film Project decided to shoot a horror movie at the hospital. They hired actors, crew, and security guards to work on the project. However, they soon realized that the hospital was more than just a movie set. They experienced many strange and terrifying events, such as equipment malfunctioning, props disappearing, and actors getting injured. They also claimed to have seen and heard things that they could not explain. They eventually abandoned the project and left the hospital.
The Conclusion of the Article
The Old Orange Memorial Hospital is one of the creepiest places in the state, with a long history of death, decay, and haunting. It has been explored by many people who have witnessed and recorded various paranormal phenomena. It has also been featured in several media outlets, such as newspapers, magazines, and TV shows.
However, the hospital is not open to the public and is strictly off-limits. It is surrounded by a fence and monitored by security cameras and guards. Anyone who trespasses on the property will face legal consequences. Therefore, it is advised to stay away from the hospital and respect its history and mystery.