Ohio is home to numerous abandoned and haunted locations, with none quite as unsettling as the Lima Tuberculosis Hospital, also known as the Ohio Hospital. This deteriorating structure, once a haven for hundreds of patients battling the deadly disease, now stands as a poignant reminder of past horrors and mysteries.
Hospital History
Constructed in 1911 as a sanatorium for tuberculosis patients, the hospital reflected the prevailing treatment methods of the time—fresh air, sunlight, and basic medicines. Its design incorporated large windows, balconies, and verandas to offer patients exposure to these essential elements. The facility also featured additional amenities like a farm, chapel, library, and school for children.
Operating until 1972, the hospital closed due to a decrease in tuberculosis cases and insufficient funding. It went on to serve as a nursing home, drug rehabilitation center, and prison annex until abandonment in the late 1980s.
Hauntings at the Hospital
Since its closure, the hospital has become a popular destination for urban explorers, ghost hunters, and thrill-seekers. Numerous reports detail paranormal encounters within the premises, including hearing voices, footsteps, screams, and moans, witnessing apparitions, shadows, and orbs, and experiencing cold spots, touches, and pushes. Certain areas, such as the basement (housing the morgue and crematorium), the third floor (children’s ward), and the chapel (where some patients were buried under the floor), are considered particularly haunted.
Rumors also circulate about the hospital being the site of murders, suicides, and satanic rituals, further contributing to its dark history and eerie ambiance.
Future Outlook
Presently owned by the state of Ohio, the hospital is fenced off and guarded due to safety concerns. Trespassing is illegal and perilous given the building’s state of disrepair, asbestos presence, and debris. Despite the uncertain fate of the hospital, with no plans for renovation or demolition, some individuals still manage to explore the premises at their own risk.
The destiny of the Lima Tuberculosis Hospital remains uncertain, sparking differing opinions. Some advocate for its preservation as a historical landmark and museum, while others argue for its demolition and erasure from memory.
Undeniably one of Ohio’s most unsettling places, the Lima Tuberculosis Hospital stands as a testament to the suffering and mystery surrounding the disease. Whether one believes in ghosts or not, the hospital undoubtedly holds a compelling story.
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